John jayaweera: An appreciation

John Jayaweera was called to eternal rest on 23rd March 2023. Lux aeterna luceat eis Domine!

Dear Master, though you have gone out of our sight, you will never leave our hearts. Your memories will live in our hearts and minds forever.

Born on 31st March 1940 in Kandy, Mr. Jayaweera had his formal education at St. Sylvester’s College, over there. After completing his education, he joined the University of Peradeniya as an assistant registrar, and worked there until his retirement.

Thereafter he moved to Colombo, and I first met him there, and came to know him gradually as he joined the staff of Christ King College, Pannipitiya. This was in 2005, and I was the principal of the school at that time. I remember with much gratitude his invaluable contribution for the upliftment of our school.

Mr. Jayaweera’s devotion and fidelity to prayer gave him the vigour and the thrust to carry out all his responsibilities. He indeed was a channel of spiritual blessings to our school. Everyone respected him as he was a man of God.

He was a gentle, polite, generous and accommodating person with a unique personality. He was just and transparent in his dealings with the members of the staff and students, and had perfect rapport with them in all his undertakings. He was also the teacher of English and English Literature. Of course, he was well versed in Sinhala too. He assisted us also in administrative work of the college. He led an exemplary life and set an example for all the members of the staff as a beacon of light.

He was a great source of inspiration to our Congregation as well.We, the Dominican sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, Philippines – Sri Lanka Region, owe a debt of gratitude to him for his tremendous support to us. He was so generous and down to earth, and we could reach out to him freely for any help, and he was ever ready to assist us with his God-given gifts without expecting anything in return. Our young Sisters gained much from him and he was so trustworthy even in dealing with any matter.

Bishop Vianney Fernando, the Bishop Emeritus of Kandy once referred to Mr. Jayaweera in a sermon as follows:

“John Jayaweera and I, were together at St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy. As the school is adjacent to the Cathedral in Kandy, some of us used to pay a visit to the Cathedral to say a prayer before beginning classes. At the end of the day too, we dropped into the Cathedral to say a prayer before going home. John and I joined by a few others as well.

We went for a visit during the lunch interval. John never failed to recite the whole Rosary during the lunch interval, kneeling at the back of the main altar where there were two large pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother. He was an exemplary student in every way and gave a wonderful Christian witness through his love of God and his gentle ways.”

I would like to wind up my appreciation of John Jayaweera quoting William Arthur Ward:

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. And I have no hesitation to say that John Jayaweera was a great teacher.”

Just as Chandrani Jayaweera has lost her beloved husband, and Jayanjeli her loving father, we too have lost a well-informed veteran teacher and a good companion. We strongly believe that he is with God, and that he is now much closer to us than when he was here on earth.Eternal rest grant unto his soul and let perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace. Amen

Sr. Priyantha Fernando, OP.
Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena Philippines -Sri Lanka Region