Following a long battle with cancer, Mr Tuan Mohamed Azzam Bangsajayah departed this life on September 25, 2016, surrounded by his family and close relatives. His funeral was held at the ancestral family home at Sumangala Mawatha, Kurunegala. His burial took place in the Muslim Burial Ground at Gattuwana on September 26, 2016. He is succeeded by his wife Kuraisha Aman, daughter Rinooza Imani Bangsajayah and son Mohamed Imran Bangsajayah.

Azzam Bangsajayah worked for the Bank of Ceylon. He worked at Kurunegala, Kurunegala Seond City, Polonnaruwa, Alawwa and Trincomalee. He retired as the Aria Manager - North Western Province. Being a workaholic, he joined Sussex College (primary) as a principal. Following his cancer diagnosis, he retired from his position.

Azzam's parents were late, Mr T S Bangsajayah and late Mrs B S Bangsajayah. He was the third in a family of eight children. They are Kalam, Zuleikha, Ramazan, Fathima, Haleema, late Kathija and Farzan. Kalam, also known as Kaka, the eldest in the family, is a real estate agent. Zuleikha, my mother, is a retired government teacher. Ramazan, also known as Ram, is the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Insurance and retired ASP Sri Lanka Police. Fathima and Haleema are advocates and are currently residing overseas. Khadija, better known as Kitty, passed away in 2014 due to complications from pneumonia. The youngest was Farzan, and he was a flight instructor in the SLAF. He is currently residing in Canada.

I want to make this an opportunity to thank the medical staff who helped us in this difficult moment.

• Dr Dehan Gunasekara (Oncologist & Cancer Specialist)
• Dr Pandka Jayasekara (Oncological Surgeon)
• The doctors, nurses and staff at Asiri Surgical Hospital - primary healthcare provider
• The doctors, nurses and staff at Kurunegala Hospital - Cancer Ward
• The doctors, nurses and staff at Co-operative Hospital - endstage care

I would also like to thank Azzam's friends, neighbours and former colleagues for the moral support they provided.