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My father, Srian was a fraternal twin whom was the first to be delivered at home in Colonial times in Sri Lanka. In my memory, I remember as a child that he was a disciplinarian to his kids, a best friend during my teenage years, an advocate in my University days, proud and equal as I landed a prestigious position within Investment Banking and 'leading by example' was his motto. Srian went on to become an athlete whose records are still unbeaten in 2011!:D However, he was the twin that people thought was the most easy going, accommodating, hospitable and the life of the party and I suspect was also the 'class clown' in school.  He must have been so popular amongst his peers, I remember during his funeral, a lot of his 'admirers' from school days came to sympathize with my mother, Thilaka   

As my father went to having a career and three children, he did not stop following his interests, especially in sports which was his passion and one of his dreams was one day one of his children will excel at a global level - in ......sports:) He said what ever you choose to do in life, be the 'best' which contradicted with my mother's dreams which was to have all three children become doctors:) The three of are neither all medics nor all athletes, but continue to be amazed by what our father achieved in his short time on Earth of just 56 years.

My father was one of the most energetic and active people I have ever known. Unfortunately, Srian passed away in the UK (2002) after suffering a sudden heart attack. Three years on, I went on to to hear I am expecting twin boys and that really was a time I missed my father very much. I have named one of my sons after my father - Joshua Srian  Tomorrow will be his 9 th Year death anniversary. My twin boys are both very energetic, active boys whom loves sports too and are already excelling at gymnastics and are yet to get into athleticss. I am not sure nor expect my sons to follow their grand father's footsteps into athletics, but I do hope like him, they will grow up to be well mannered, hard working and responsible citizens:)

Below is an appreciation submitted by his eldest brother, Lalith Perera many years ago to a news paper in memory of my father to those who might be interested in getting to know more about an amazing twin, a grateful and appreciative son, devoted brother, husband and father, talented sportmans and a loyal and supportive friend.

Srian's family, friends and associates commemorated his fifth death anniversary on March 16. It was on this day five years ago that Srian answered his summons of fate just after completing his customary exercises at a gym in England like a true sportsman. His untimely demise plunged all who knew him into a state of shock and misery.

Srian with his brothers entered the hallowed portals of that premier Catholic educational institution in the island, St. Joseph's College, Colombo, and excelled as a brilliant athlete whose splendid sprinting, an epitome of style and grace had to be seen to be believed. In 1961, which was one of his best years, Srian established two public school records in his pet events  the sprints  which have remained intact ever since.

In memory of a person who was recognised as an outstanding sportsman in his hey day, the family, friends and Old Joes Associations have created the Srian Perera Memorial Fund for Sports to encourage future generations at St. Joseph's College Colombo, his alma mater to make similar contributions in time to come.

As a working planter too, he established a healthy rapport with his colleagues in planting and became the branch chairman of the Ceylon Planters Society in Nuwara Eliya and was once the president of a prestigious Planters Club in the central hills.

However, with the winds of change that swept across the plantations following the nationalisation of estates, Srian decided to seek greener pastures with the welfare of his young family foremost in his mind which eventually proved to be one of his wisest decisions in life.

Srian was such a dedicated person that he was successful in obtaining his Masters in Business Administration in UK while keeping the home fires burning and was a much sought after consultant in Old Blighty.

Srian married Thilaka, a Science Graduate of the University of Colombo. Thilaka who was a tower of strength to Srian throughout his life is the eldest daughter of late Senator Y.R. Piyasena and Soma Piyasena.

The very fact that Chinthani is an accountant, Sashini a doctor of medicine and their only son Yenusha still in his fire of youth bearing a striking resemblance to his versatile father, chip of the old block, so to say, is a graduate and a consultant who has trotted the globe, will bear ample testimony to what I write.

Their sons-in-law, Olaf is an accomplised banker in Central London now doing a stint in the United States for his reputed establishment while Rovine happens to be a competent attorney-at-law working for a renowned solicitor firm in the UK. All of them take justifiable pride in being associated with a great family that had Srian and Thilaka at the helm.

He was so attached to his brothers that he considered them as a God-given to him so much so that if he ever sensed a scenario that would have destabilised them, he took it as a missile hurled at him and promptly took meaningful steps to rally round his brothers in a firm expression of support, because to him a united family was paramount.

This alone was reason enough for his twin, Major General Janaka Perera, Sri Lanka's former ambassador to Australia and Indonesia, his other brothers; Prithi, a leading accountant now occupying the coveted post of Secretary General in Sri Lanka's National Commission for UNESCO; Ajith, well known business entrepreneur and I, eldest in the family, a planter and a senior agricultural advisor to look up to Srian, the family's sheet anchor.

Srian's generosity knew no bounds and in assisting people in their hour of need, he indulged in acts of benevolence rarely seen thus displaying humanity at its best as he belonged to a vanishing breed of great men who genuinely cherished human values.

He has left an indelible mark in the annals of our time thus creating a void that can never be filled and it is patently clear how desperately the world needs the likes of him and one could say for all the world to hear �This was a Man.�

It is never right that such men should be called away, but I presume one has to face the realties of life when destiny plays its role.

As we commemorate his fifth death anniversary and celebrate his exemplary life, memories of him will linger on.

We loved him in life, let us not forget him in death.

Lalith

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20070527/letters.htm