Mano Sahayam 

Appreciation:

The Sahayam name is synonymous with Trinity College Kandy. One can hardly say the word ‘Trinity’ without some revered reference to ‘Sahayam’ at the same time.  With the indefatigable GY Sahayam having served under some seven Principals no less, as Vice Principal and Master of Mathematics, that is expected. Always attired in an impeccable white Tussore suit with a cane neatly tucked into his right coat sleeve, ready for immediate action he was everywhere at the same time.  If ever his sons were found playing truant with other schoolmates, they each were meted out with six of the best while his sons got seven as “they should have known better”!

The eldest son Baskeran’s ambition on leaving school, as Mano would claim, was always to retire from Active duty!

Of the two daughters of GYS, Lali is the dutiful housewife in Chennai and Sunitha took to shepherding the Christian flock in the UK.

Altogether a wonderful Christian family, each very special in one way or the other. Each one setting a great example to their peers.

His second son, Mano, passed away peacefully in his Lauries Road residence on Wednesday, 29 September at the age of 83. He was and will be remembered as the dashing young man whose sole ambition, when he left school, was to join the RAF, which he did and returned to Sri Lanka with a host of bawdy stories.

He was never short of a hilarious story, or a funny joke, and life was one big party for the young Mano, always the main attraction at any gathering, keeping his audience in peals of laughter. An intelligent and articulate speaker, on any subject, he was always the most wanted man in the room. He had a great many friends among and outside the Trinity family, as one can imagine, with his good looks great charm and wit to match.

While his younger brother Mohan was selling dummies on the Rugby field as one of the most outstanding fly halves Trinity ever produced, Mano, was selling his own ‘dummies’ freely among his buddies at every event off the field, with scotch in hand.

Arguably Mano must hold the record for Dialysis for over 13 years at the Sri Jayawardenapura hospital, and will probably get into the Guinness book of records for this feat.

He leaves a devoted daughter Deschu, a doctor practicing in the UK, and a son Sanjeev in Australia.

May this true son of Trinity Rest in Peace!

Nimal S Cooke

Colombo