Sunila Abeysekera: 1952 – 2013 Sunila Abeysekera passed away earlier today after a long battle with cancer. In the days, weeks and indeed, years to come, Sunila will be remembered for what she stood for, did, said and championed, by family, close friends and colleagues, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. She will be variously described as mother, activist, writer, critic, feminist and as much more. I will remember her for all this, but also as a wonderful singer. Very late on Christmas Day in 2011, at the residence of Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Sunila and a handful of others – all close friends – gathered around after everyone else had gone home to hear her sing. Sunila spoke about how songs of resistance were produced and sung during the JVP insurrection of ’71, and entreated us to a few of them from memory. Of the many songs she sang that evening with and for us, one song in particular captures Sunila’s own life and character entwined with her activism. Listen to her here. Though she will be sorely missed, Sunila’s voice will continue to resonate in our own lives and work.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 07:01:00 +0000
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