Sally Hulugalle

I have been blessed to have met and to have been mentored by many inspiring people in my life. Among those, Sally Hulugalle looms large. On July 11, 2024, a few weeks after her birthday, we buried her, after a brief battle with cancer. Her grave was covered with flowers and candles. And there was beautiful music and everyone who was present was there because they loved her and because she had touched their lives in some way.

My first job was as Sally’s assistant. I had just come back to Sri Lanka from New Delhi after obtaining my degree, all dewy eyed and hopeful of finding work. I responded to an advertisement in a newspaper, met Sally at her home, and that was that – I had a job! I worked with her for five years and it would be no exaggeration to say that those five years changed my life. She taught be so much, but most of all she taught me never to walk away from injustice. She also taught me the importance of kindness, to never tolerate cruelty towards another human being or animal. She showed me what it’s like to be fearless – I am still learning that lesson – and that it’s okay to forge your own path, however unusual it may seem.

I have so many memories of that time – travelling around Sri Lanka or between her home and Hendala, very often in the ‘white van’ (long before ‘white vans’ became associated with state terror) with Sally at the wheel. Her driving style was as unique as everything else about her was, and I learned very quickly to ignore the infuriated or sometimes simply bemused expressions on fellow drivers around us. She had an amazing ability to turn any place she occupied to one of colour and beauty, using the simplest of things – whether a hospital room, ward, house or office.

She had an unerring ability to spot the person needing the most amount of comforting and care, in the most crowded of places, or hidden away in some corner, out of sight – but Sally would find them. Many people or situations that most of us would simply give up on as too hard, too complex and too messy – Sally would march right in and transform. I often trailed behind her – often scared, sometimes embarrassed, but most often in awe. Our wills sometimes clashed – I was young and brash and felt I knew a thing or two as well – but between us grew a bond of understanding, respect and affection that held us together. We just got each other.

Sally’s death leaves a large hole in my life that no one else can fill. I will miss her exuberant emails – where after seeing me somewhere, she would say that I looked beautiful, or that my hair looked fantastic – incidentally, one of the very few people in my life who did not despair about my hair! On my last visit to her, I noticed on the wall, along with all the photos of her family and all the things she loved – ballet, horses, flowers, birds – a collage made up of cuttings from newspapers where I had featured. I had never felt more honoured – and I doubt I ever will.

I will miss her generosity – beautiful hand drawn stationery, colourful cushion covers, and books, that she would often spontaneously sent me and my mother. Even as I type this, behind me hang colourful little cloth flags slung together on a string, that she once sent me. I will miss her laugh, how she made me feel so loved when I was with her and the twinkle in her eyes.

Sally was one of a kind – and I was blessed to have her in my life. There is much more to say about Sally and all she accomplished through her life. For now, I just miss her. My thoughts are with her wonderful husband Arjuna Hulugalle, children and grandkids. Thank you for sharing her with us so generously.

Harini Amarasuriya