I would like to add a few words to the online memorial book, as I have so many nice
memories of dear Father James. He was my mother Leila's cousin, his sister Pathma was married to my uncle H.L.D Selvaratnam, and Sita and I were flowergirls for their wedding, . I remember Rosie Mamie, Father James's mother (my grandfather's sister ) very well.
Father James was always an important and imposing figure at all family gatherings, larger than life, a commanding presence,with his loud voice, impressive diction and unforgettable words. It was with his help that my son, Yohan and nephew Indrajit became students at STC Prep.
Lathika and I were classmates at Ladies College, I remember her as a great comedian on stage.
But what I really wanted to share is this memory. Talking about death, Father James used this story, which I have always remembered. He told us he had some good friends in Kandy, and if there was some meeting he had to attend in Kandy, he called them, and was always warmly welcomed , with a nice meal prepared for him. But on one occasion, he had no time to let them know he was going to Kandy. When the meeting ended, he went to his friends home, rather late, and feeling bad. But as he knocked on the door, his friend opened it with a smile, and said " James, we knew you would come !." Father James said that is how it will be when we are called home, and I know he would have been welcomed by the Lord with those same words -'' James, we knew you would come''.How wonderful - thank and praise God for Father James's life, and his great faith in God. My love and blessings to Lathika and the family.
Nalini Ismail
I would like to add a few words to the online memorial book, as I have so many nice
memories of dear Father James. He was my mother Leila's cousin, his sister Pathma was married to my uncle H.L.D Selvaratnam, and Sita and I were flowergirls for their wedding, . I remember Rosie Mamie, Father James's mother (my grandfather's sister ) very well.
Father James was always an important and imposing figure at all family gatherings, larger than life, a commanding presence,with his loud voice, impressive diction and unforgettable words. It was with his help that my son, Yohan and nephew Indrajit became students at STC Prep.
Lathika and I were classmates at Ladies College, I remember her as a great comedian on stage.
But what I really wanted to share is this memory. Talking about death, Father James used this story, which I have always remembered. He told us he had some good friends in Kandy, and if there was some meeting he had to attend in Kandy, he called them, and was always warmly welcomed , with a nice meal prepared for him. But on one occasion, he had no time to let them know he was going to Kandy. When the meeting ended, he went to his friends home, rather late, and feeling bad. But as he knocked on the door, his friend opened it with a smile, and said " James, we knew you would come !." Father James said that is how it will be when we are called home, and I know he would have been welcomed by the Lord with those same words -'' James, we knew you would come''.How wonderful - thank and praise God for Father James's life, and his great faith in God. My love and blessings to Lathika and the family.
Nalini Ismail