TRIBUTES

Mrs. Devalakshmi Balasundaram

The passing away of Mrs. Devalakshmi Balasundaram, a friend and a colleague, was a very sad occasion to all of us in the Measurement Units, Standards & Services Department.

It was during the metric conversion of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Balasundaram joined the small group of officers who formed the core group, managing the metric conversion under the leadership of Late H. L. K. Goonethilake, the chairman of National Metric Conversion Authority. Her main task was the drafting of the Acts. Regulation and direction under the Metric Conversion, proposed by the technical committee had to be implements, legally. She had the required knowledge, skill and attitude for the task. The scientists in the technical committees knew very little law and the legal professionals knew only a little science. A bridge was required to span this gap and Devalakshmi fitted in perfectly. She could question the technocrats at length to get their ideas in an understandable transform them into a form more suited to legal world. She could get help and advise not only from the seniors in the Authority General's Department but also from many eminent lawyers in the private sector.

Even during the metrication periods, the department relied on her for advise on the legal problems arising from other acts and ordinances, the department was implementing. Once the metrication was over, her task was legal work Connected with the implementation of the Consumer Protection Law. Price Act and weights and Measures ordinance. The drafting of the Measurement Units, Standards, and Services Act of 1995 was a major achievement.

The training of Inspectors in the legal aspects was part of her work. She was an excellent teacher who felt deeply that she has failed, if the students did not achieve. She made sure that all her students reached at least a reasonable level of competence before the faced the examinations. The ability to lecture in all three languages effectively was a great asset.

Mrs. Balasundaram was a good public servant. However, it was as a person she excelled.

She took every ones problems to heart and tried to find solutions. She saw no bounds, social, religious or ethnic. She helped them all.

May she attain Moksha.

H.L.R.W Madanayake

Director

Murugesu & Neelakandan

Attorney’s at-Law & Notaries Public

P.O. Bo 749, Hemas Building ( 3rd Floor ) York Street, Colombo - 00100, Sri Lanka.

V. Murugesu  K. Neelakandan  S. Thurairaja  S. Neelakandan  N. Murugesu   

V. Murugesu  K. Neelakandan  S. Thurairaja  S. Neelakandan  N. Murugesu   

I have been requested by the children of Mrs. Devalakshmi Balasundaram to give a message to be included in the memorial souvenir and I understand that the request had been made to me as one of Mrs. Balasundaram's colleagues at the Sri Lanka Law College.

Mrs. Balasundaram and I joined the Sri Lanka Law College in 1966. I believe that I was the youngest in the class, and Mrs. Balasundaram was then a mother. While she was a hard working student topping the list. I belonged to a category of young students who were taking life easy and devoting more time to Union activities then to our studies.

Mrs. Balasundaram who always trust and respect for me had on occasions to advise me as an elder sister while we were at Law College. After passing out, she had always been in touch with me on various matters relating to the Bar Association of Sri Lankan and legal issues.

She continued to be a keen student of law took an extra ordinary interest in new legislation.

It is unfortunate that she has to depart at an early age. Nevertheless, she will be always remembered not only as an intelligent student of law but more particularly as a loving and devoted mother who sacrificed her life for the welfare of her children.

Kandiah Neelakandan

Attorney-at-Law

September 7, 1999

DOWN MEMORY LANE

"Deva" as you are affectionately called by all, your life has been a gift, a blessing to the world.

Ever mindful of your role as "mother" your love and devotion to your children knew no bounds as you lived each moment of your life for them.

Values of lives, you imparted to everyone you encountered making the bounds of friendship strong and lasting.

Appreciative, you always were of any little kindness shone to you.

Love sums up your life of dedication to duty, to the poor and to those with learning disabilities.

Aspirations, in life you had were many, may god grant them according to his will.

Knowing you with your childlike simplicity and candour has enriched me during the past twenty years.

Strength, happiness and peace you found in your search for god. May the fullness of his life and love be yours through eternity.

Homeward bound, you journey on where his glorious presence his words of welcome, Will be your portion on that fair share.

Memories will linger, of love and laughter and presence, as our unspoken thoughts rise heaven ward in silence when we pray for you.

Intercede for us, Deva, before the throne of the almighty, as our loving thoughts leave you in a loving father's care.

Mrs. Devalakshmi Balasundaram ( Deva )

The recent demise of Mrs. Devalakshmi Balasundaram, Deva to her friend and associates marks a fall of a Trojan who took up the challenges of life boldly and lived a meaningful and respected life.

It was at the chambers of late Mr. S. Ambalavanar, I met Deva who was introduced to ma as a lawyer. She was very simple, honest, religious and was an example of an Ideal. Tamil Woman of this century as depicted by Poet Parathy.

Having lost her husband in the prime of her youth with two children, Deva has been facing challenges all her life and was always succeeded in whatever she attempted. Though she was interested to be a practitioner, She joined the department to have fixed income so that the education of her children will proceed unhampered.

Deva was deeply religious. She had an astounding knowledge of Hinduism ad I can recollect several instances she quoted Vedic stanzas fluently to support her theory. Social law and Hinduism are the two topics she always liked to discuss and I had opportunities to discuss these topics with Deva whenever we met. Deva was a good listener and always very articulate of her view.

To my knowledge Deva was one of the very few lawyers who could dissect and analyze social implications of every Bill published. She would talk to her friends and associates and collect every possible interpretation of any clause she thought was affecting the interest of any section of the people. She will send representations and memorandums to the concerned authority to seek remedy. In this respect, Deva's attitude was that she should do her duty without expecting any reward. She followed the famous preaching of Lord Krishna who said Arjuna " Do your duty. Do not expect benefit"

To me Deva was the living idol of a Tamil Women Poet Parathy depicted in the poem "Modern Woman". Deva will remain in many of her friend's mind as such.

C. Thangaraja

Attorney-at-Law