Remembering Tony Suriya

Compared to the present set up Katunayake Airport was a little shack like in the early 80s when Tony & I joined aviation.

Like me, most of my other batch mates were straight out from college and into their first taste of money from a pay cheque.

But Tony was a few exceptions and his previous employment too was the same location, so he knew every nook and cranny the little shack which was like treasure trove to most of us.

We were privileged enough to get clearance to have access to all areas including most sterile areas.

I still remember him taking some of us to those areas and advising us the Dos & Don’t in those highly sensitive areas like a big brother in protective mode knowing well that some of us were brash, ignorant and stupid.

After the initial training of 6 months, he opted one path and I another but we remained in contact and friends.

A few years later, he got an assignment in one of the Middle Eastern airport and so he left shores.

I do not know what it was but a few more years I was invited into the same country and the same airport.

The old bridge was repaired and we had a good time again there together.

He was a very gentle and caring person to say the least.

He crawled up the ladder due to his diligence, hard work and honesty and was gracious enough to groom many local lads whom later grew up to be big shots in that organization.

Again we had to part due to his relocation to a nearby country with better privileges and prospects.

We met again a couple of more times whenever he visited for his official duties.

Later I came to know that he was taking an early retirement option due to some health grounds.

He returned back to the country and started his own training institute and when I finally hung my boots a few months later, he extended me an invitation to join his team, which I took up happily.

Ever since then, we remained in constant and did many fun things together.

But this time, when he suddenly left us all, I know there will be no more meeting again in this world.

I bid you good bye and wish you eternal peace, not knowing if we are ever to meet again somewhere some day,