"I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom"

Umberto Eco.

Fathers are truly unsung heroes, their contributions often undermined by that of mothers. Often a child's first superhero, fathers inspire and motivate. For daughters, fathers often set the benchmark for what a perfect man should be. So this Father's Day, we asked people to share their favourite memories and lessons their fathers taught them.

 

Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara.

My blessings in life have been many, but my greatest blessing of all has been that of my parents. A father and mother who are still the very foundation I stand on...my rock...safe heaven...happy place. My father is the best man I know and shines a light in my life every single day...honourable, solid, strong and dependable...always game for anything, calm in the most blazing thunderstorm, unshakable in a crisis, with a heart big enough to accept the greatest challenges, a spirit bright enough to make everything seem possible and a laugh that brings soul deep happiness. I have been blessed with many gifts...one of my greatest is to have Asoka T. Jayasinghe as my thathi. 

Kumar De Silva

Daddy was always the ‘provider’ and yet the distant one. One memory will always stick in my mind forever. I was nine or ten years old and had just got a pair of brand new black suede shoes. During those days, new shoes came once in two or three years and so I was very careful with and proud of them, as any child would do. One evening as we set out to the Lionel Wendt for a play, and I in my brand new suede shoes, it began to pour torrents at the bus stand. That was normal and we could perfectly have gone by bus BUT without thinking twice, he hailed a taxi (those old yellow hooded Morris Minor taxis in the late 1960s) in which we went to the Wendt. I asked him why. “Your shoes are new. I don’t want them to get wet”, he replied. I was happy and even forgot to thank him. I realised the deep paternal love behind that gesture when, many years later, Mummy told me that he had subsequently forgone buying and smoking his favourite Vanilla Cigars for weeks on end, to reimburse (to the family expenditure) the money he spent on the taxi fare that day. If that isn’t sacrifice … what is?

Ishan De Lanerolle

I only recently discovered what an extent my father went to satisfy one of my hobbies as a child - pottery. He used to find time with all his work to go down to Kelaniya riverside and walk down on foot to get me the clay. I never appreciated it much then as I didn't know what extent he had to go to get this. Only recently we happen to pass the area and I was astonished and couldn't believe that he went through such trouble to get it... 
My Father is Rohan De Lanerolle Snr and I would love to wish him a happy father day from Malaysia. Sorry for not being in SL due to the performance schedule

Ashen Balasinghe

Among the many good memories I have, one of them is that Appachi used to feed me in the morning after practice while I was getting ready to school. Little did I know, he was not just feeding me breakfast, he was Influencing me to become a man. Teaching me how to be a good father in the future. He showed me what true commitment and sacrifice is. I yet have to master a great skill he posses, patience, a godlike quality he has.

Nadia Issadeen

One of my favourite memories: In the evenings after work, I sit and play the piano. He requests his favourite songs from Nana Mouskouri to Mozart to old Hindi songs and I play it for him. He hums along and I absolutely loved it.

Dinesh Chandrasena

My Sister Dinushka and I have been blessed with the kindest, considerate, supportive and wonderful step-Dad in Firoze Munzeer, and Tehani has the best Grandpa! We have always known that He is here for Us, and no matter what, is a constant in our lives.

Channa Wijewardena

Namely D. M. P. Wijewardena. He started his career at the Ceylon high commissioner in Myanmar where I was born. After a four year service, he was transferred to London at the Ceylon high commission as a chancellor. His true values in service were the incept of my career.
I began my education in London where I learnt a lot of values in life. This beginning has contributed immense strength in my life.  My father always gave us the opportunity to explore in whatever career we chose. His advice was always to ask questions about whatever we needed to know. That was the way to go forward. When we returned to Sri Lanka my father was appointed as the assistant commissioner at the department of inland revenue. His appointment was given to him solely for his commitment to the diplomatic service. Today I am what I am because of my father.

My father loved Sri Lankan culture and entertainment. Before taking up services overseas my father joined Dr Chithrasena at his Colpetty residence and studied dancing under his guidance and performed as Pushkara in the Ballet Nala Damayanthi. I am proud to state that after around 40 years later I performed the same character with Dr Chithrasena in Nala Damayanti.

 

Priyanthi Perera

Just after school, I didn't know how to get around town, but he came up with an ingenious way to help me so I could find my way around. He always taught me to learn to rely on myself for my happiness and to win people, not money. He was a pillar of strength and a guiding light in our lives. My siblings and I will never forget the lessons he taught us. We are all who we are because of him.

Roshani Kumarasinghe

My dad's been doubling up being the role of both my mom and dad for me the last few months. He had to take up more when my mom passed and it hasn't been easy.
My wedding last month wouldn't have been possible without him. He did everything pretty much, from running around for bridesmaids outfits to getting my Saree to getting cakes to organizing everything in Lanka. To top it all off my dad draped my Saree for me on the day of my wedding. He has always done everything for me and given me anything and everything I had possibly wanted! Ever! No greater dad! Happy father's day dada!

 

Shalin Basuriya

Some of my memories of my father were how he treated the people that worked for him. From his office staff to the domestic staff and even a plumber or contractor who would come home to attend to a repair. He would always laugh and joke with them and offer them a meal and treat them like any other guest. So much so that everyone used to be very fond of him and to this day people talk about the good times they had when my father was around. I believed it has rubbed off on me too and I hope I, in turn, can share those values with my children someday.