It began with
an open heart.

From my earliest memories, I remember one thing about my mother: our door was never closed to anyone in need.

Whether it was a stranger asking for directions, a neighbour requesting a cup of sugar, or someone in distress seeking comfort, our home was always open. She welcomed everyone with the same warmth, kindness and respect, regardless of who they were or where they came from.

The same table. The same dignity.

In a time and place where caste defined boundaries and inequality was woven into daily life, my mother stood apart. She treated every person as equal. It did not matter if someone came from a so-called “lower caste”; she offered them tea from the same cups she used herself, shared food with the same care, and spoke with the same dignity. That was love in action.

She believed in giving what we had,
not what was left over.

Her faith in Buddhism was not confined to rituals or temples. It was lived every day, in the smallest gestures. On days when we had little, she still found something to share. On days when we had much, she gave more.

Care that became action.

She did not just pray for orphans and older people. She brought them into our home, fed them, clothed them, and gave them safety and dignity.

She did not just feel sorry for people suffering from illness. She sought them out, contributed to their treatments, and made sure they knew they were not alone.

My mother never called herself a social worker. She never sought recognition. But she did the work quietly, consistently and selflessly.

The greatest prayer is an act of kindness.

She taught us that real spirituality is not found in how loudly you chant or how often you visit the temple. It is in how you treat the person standing in front of you, especially when no one is watching.

The legacy she gives us is one of generosity, faith and equality. It is a legacy we are honoured to carry forward through the Susithā Rajapaksha Foundation.