I first met Mrs. Gowry Shangary Thavarasha in the year 2000 when I started apprenticing under Mr. Saliya Pieris P. C. For me and my chamber mates Mr. Upul Kumarapperuma, Mr. Pamila Rathnayake High Court Judge, Mr. Upali Mohotti P.C, Mr. Prasanna Sandanayake, Mr. Chamath Madanayake High Court Judge she always treated like her children. She would always greet us with a smile. Would never keep us standing even when senior lawyers were in her office. She knew of our financial hardships I guess, on some occasions when there were no fees allocated for us by the senior she would always try to quote a fee for us and sometimes pay us out of her pocket.

As and when we made a mistake (which happens sometimes) she would always help us out. Sometimes when we were too scared to go to our senior she would try to remedy the issue and keep it from the senior. I have had the privilege of meeting and working with many seniors in the profession through her and my senior, Mr. Faiz Musthapha PC, Mr. Ameen PC would be to name few. I have seen how dedicated she was to her work. She was always thinking about the case, updated on the stage of the case and to the word she was truly an Instructing Attorney as she could instruct regarding the case to any counsel. From her office and the Chambers of Mr. K. V Thavarasha many juniors have entered the profession who are doing quite well in the profession undoubtedly as a result of their guidance. I am now happy to be working with several of them, Thushani, Anoma, Arnold, Dushyanthan and Tharmaja would be to name a few.

Once I started practicing on my own she encouraged me and when possible was good enough to send a brief my way, which was always an encouragement. Last time I met her was in the chambers of Mr. Thavarasha where she was to hand over a criminal brief. It was just after avrudu, after the consultation she handed me an envelop. I very well knew that the client was to pay me only for my appearances in court. When I refused she said that she can’t let me leave empty handed after meeting her just after avurudu.

Dear Madam You will be sadly missed. The void you have left in husfsdorp and in our hearts will always remain. According to my faith madam may you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!

Asthika Devendra
Senior Attorney-at-Law