Mrs. Clarice Herat Gunaratne

A visit to No. 04 Rosmead Place, the grand home of Dr. V. T. and Mrs. Clarice Herat Gunaratne was always an interesting and somewhat exciting experience, especially as children. The Lady of this home was Clarice Loku Amma, a distinguished, stern, fashionable and immaculate person who was held in high esteem and respect by all her relations and friends. When the telephones rang early morning on 21st October, informing of the death of Clarice Loku Amma, all family members were very sad.

My first memories of her are associated with visiting their newly built home at Rosmead Place in the early Sixties with my Parents for their fabulous parties and musical evenings. Her Husband Dr. V. T. Herat Gunaratne (my Father’s elder Brother), was then the Director of Health Services and both of them were excellent hosts to the numerous Guests which included the then Prime Minister, many Ministers, Ambassadors and of course, the extended family.

Clarice Loku Amma was the eldest in a distinguished family hailing from Kandy. Her younger Brother was the late Deshamanya E. L. Senanayake the famous Kandy Politician. Apart from being a devoted Mother, she was the pillar of strength behind my Mahappa and encouraged him in every way to reach the top position in the Health Services of this country and thereafter as Regional Director of the World Health Organisation and President - World Health Assembly, a feat not achieved by a single Sri Lankan, todate.

Clarice Loku Amma was away from Sri Lanka between the years 1966 and 1982 when Mahappa served in the WHO offices in Geneva and New Delhi. During this period she travelled practically all over the world and met with many dignitories. During those years we somewhat lost touch with them except for meeting occasionally at a wedding or party when they happened to visit Sri Lanka. After Mahappa’s retirement from the WHO in 1982 and until his death in 1987 both of them were mostly in Sri Lanka and we used to once again meet often at the usual family and social gatherings. After Mahappa’s death she moved over to Manila and then to Geneva where her Daughters lived, until a few years ago when they all returned to Sri Lanka.

Clarice Loku Amma lived upto the ripe old age of almost 93 and except for the last few months, she was quite alert and fit. She was very well cared for by her Daughters, Rohini and Rukmini, Son Dr. Methsiri and also their Spouses Vidya, Srimega and Isramalee who formed a very closely knit family.

One thing significant about her was that although she travelled the Globe and mixed up with the highest of society she never forgot her relations and always warmly entertained them whenever she could find time. My mother has often told me that when I was born at St. Michaels Nursing Home, Clarice Loku Amma and Mahappa were her first visitors to see me in the wee hours of the morning, a visit she would never forget and always remembered with gratitude.

Our deepest sympathies go to her Children (our Cousins) and their Spouses while the entire Herat Gunaratne family will deeply miss this Grand Old Lady, who was an integral part of this distinguished family.

May she attain Nirvana!

Mangala Herat Gunaratne