My Childhood Bestie
Ajantha Anthony
My fondest memories of primary school are intertwined with the presence of my dearest friend, Ajantha Anthony. We met when we were five, on our first day at school. Our bond was instantaneous. We shared a desk, played together, and spent hours chatting during breaks.
Our friendship was reinforced by our grandmothers becoming fast friends while waiting for us to finish classes at St. Anthony's College, a fitting name given that Ajantha's family name was also Anthony. I often visited Ajantha's house, conveniently located next to the church in Wattala, Sri Lanka, where we spent countless hours together.
Our childhood together was brief, as our paths diverged when Ajantha left for St. Joseph’s College in Colombo at eight. But despite the distance, we kept in touch through letters and occasional visits. As young lads, we reconnected at Ajantha’s church feast, and our friendship grew stronger. We watched movies, hung out, and discussed our futures. Ajantha pursued higher education in England while I left for Dubai.
Unfortunately, in 1983, the ethnic strife in Sri Lanka took a toll on Ajantha and his family, but our friendship persevered.
Over the years, Ajantha and I both started families and pursued our careers. Despite the distances, we kept in touch and visited each other whenever possible. Ajantha’s business acumen and compassion for his employees have made him a successful businessman and a respected leader in Sri Lanka.
Today, many decades later, we are both grandfathers and fitness enthusiasts. Ajantha is an avid cyclist, and we both enjoy sharing stories about our families and memories of our childhood together. Our friendship has stood the test of time, and we remain best friends, bonded by a shared history and a deep affection for each other.
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Images and artwork belong to Denzil Jayasinghe.
