With great sadness, we share the passing of our beloved husband and father Ananda Samarakoon. He passed away peacefully on Thursday August 24th, surrounded by his loving family.


He fought a rapidly progressing and cruel disease, Motor Neuron disease (MND) for as long as he could. The courage, strength and grace with which he endured the suffering that MND inflicts was nothing but admirable. We were privileged to care for him until the very end. In keeping with Ananda's wishes, we will be holding a small private funeral service just with the immediate family.  


Ananda, being the committed scientist that he was, questioned the cause of such a horrible disease and hoped that one day a cure would be found. To help this cause, we have set up a donation page where any proceeds collected will be passed on to the Macquarie University’s MND Service and Research Centre where Ananda himself received exceptional care. 


Please do not feel obliged to donate. If you do wish to contribute even a small amount, please do so using the link below. 


Love,


Manel, Nadeeka, Tharanga



Our donors

TD

Thilak De silva

donated

A$100

TD

Thalath De Silva

donated

A$100

Very sad to hear this news Thalath and Chandima

K

Kamani

donated

A$100

Dear Manel akka, Nadeeka and Tharanga duwa, It was deeply sad for the loss of Ananda. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Our deepest sympathies from Nelum, Chanaka and family.

SS

Sada & Dianeetha Sadacharan

donated

A$150

LB

Lionel Bopage

donated

A$100

Dear Manel, Nadeeka and Tharanga, It was very sad to hear the news of Ananda's passing. For several years we worked together in the Canberra School of Sri Lankan Dancing and still many memories remain of the creative work we all attended to. We will always remember him and the memories associated with him. Please accept our deepest condolences. Lionel and Chitra Bopage

MP

Maithri Panagoda

donated

A$100

I had the privilege of knowing Ananda for over 50 years. He enriched my life. His humility, high intelligence and passion for singing will never be forgotten.

AA

Anil & Ramyani Abeywickrema

donated

A$100

A special friend with many talents and great human qualities. May he attain Nibbana.

S

Shanthilal & Nirmala

donated

A$100

We were so sad to hear that Ananda had passed away following a period of illness. We shared a special bond with Ananda as he had studied with both of us. On many occasions we met, we reminisced about his days at Ananda College and hostel with Shanthilal and his time at Aquinas with Nirmala. We will always remember his warm smile and the sparkle in his eyes. May his journey in sansara be short and may he be freed of all dukkha. Shanthilal & Nirmala

P

Peter

Such tragic news. So sorry for your loss.

N

Nishadee

donated

A$50

MD

Maneesha De Silva

donated

A$200

VW

Vinindra Weerasuria

donated

A$100

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana. Our deepest sympathies from Mala and Vinindra Weerasuria

G

Gothami

donated

A$100

In loving memory of Dr. Samarakoon, one of the greatest professors to teach me.

S

Sena

RG

Ranjit Gajanayake

donated

A$100

In loving memory of Ananda whose kindness touched everyone he met.

A

Ari

donated

A$200

Dear Manel and family, our deepest sympathies. We grieve with you the loss of a sincere,humble, gentleman with a very kind heart who excelled in his field of science.

V

Vanessa

My sincere condolences to the family for their loss

TP

Thuy Anh Phan

Dear Manel, Nadeeka, Tharanga, sending our deepest condolences to you and your families. Another star shines bright in the sky. Thinking of you all. Love from Twee and family

LP

Lavinia Pryor

donated

A$100

We are so very sorry for your loss. Sending all our love. The Pryor family.

RG

Ranjith Gamage

donated

A$250

In loving memory of Ananda, the kindest soul. Our deepest condolences Manel and family. Ranjith, Kamal and Heshani

M

Mia

donated

A$100

E

Eva

donated

A$100

I wish I had known Mr Samarakoon. But from what I have heard from Tharanga (Tee) he was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and scientist. He will be dearly missed. Our hearts go out to you all who have lost someone so dear.

A

Achala

donated

A$200

Rest in peace, dear Ananda uncle! Please accept our deepest sympathies Tee and family.

SK

Shannon Kim

donated

A$100

We are very sorry for your loss. There are no words big enough to describe your sadness. We are praying for you and your family. Love, Shannon, Charles and James

S

Suhanthy

donated

A$100

May a cure be found to help put an end to MND

MS

Minnie Singh-Murphy

donated

A$100

Our deepest respect to your late dad, Tee. ❤️ The Singh-murphys

IK

Indra Kuruppu

donated

A$50

Our deepest condolences to Manel and family. Ananda and Manel had a long association with the Panditharatne family and in particular with Shiranee. Ananda was a quiet, gentle and clever man. May his journey through Samsara be a short one. Indra & Lal Kuruppu

JP

Jayantha Premasiri

donated

A$200

In loving memory of Ananda sir. Our thoughts and prayers with Manel, Nadeeka, and Tharanga. Premasiri, Kumudu, Harini, and Kasun

DN

Dayanthi Nugegida

donated

A$50

DG

Diyamanthi& Munasinghe Galpoththage

donated

A$100

Dear Ananda,Remembering the time Ranjika & I worked for you as Botany demonstrators in the Botany Dept.of Colombo Campus ,University of Sri Lanka in 1974 and also later as a friend of Munasinghe and myself and as the dear husband of our friend and classmate,Manel.May you attain nibbana as early as possible in your sansaric journey.