Tribute to Miss Chitra Abeyaratne

I bow my head in reverence as I write these lines as a tribute to you, Miss Abeyaratne: graceful and admirable teacher and principal; above all a friend to all who knew you, through an experience, example and nature that we developed strength, courage, knowledge and wisdom. The future is a manifestation of the past and our future is your past for you led us so that we could lead when it was our turn to nurture young wanderers. You inspired us one we emulated you, lead to inspire others. As teachers and women, whatever we achieved was in part due to the training you gave us and the example you presented which we followed. Your life was a garment wove with wisdom, experience and grace, which you wore with modesty, but noted by others as exemplary and even unique.

- Rukmini Weerasuriya

Your entire school education was at Girls’ High School, Kandy (KHS), where I too had my education. Your mother was a teacher at Mahamaya College, Kandy, and you were Vice Principal of Vidyalaya College, on the outskirts of Kandy. You entered the University of Ceylon in Colombo along with your younger sister Hema. She and you were always very close and latterly greatest friends. Wishing to make teaching your career, you obtained the Diploma in Education (1958) and in 1963 a Master’s Degree, also in Education, from the University of Peradeniya. You were surely a pioneer in this since higher education, particular higher degrees were not sought by women then. Spcially comparatively brought up Kandyan daughters.