14th June, 2023

One evening in March 2020, I booked an Uber taxi that was to change the way we could enjoy Sri Lanka.  The driver was Ishar, normally an accredited tour guide but taking Uber bookings due to the devastation caused to tourism by the Easter bombings of 2019 and then the pandemic.  A thoroughly nice guy who drove well and maintained a spotlessly clean vehicle, we swapped contact details and that was that!

We have still used taxis and tuk tuks extensively in the city, but whenever going further afield or needing an airport run, Ishar is the first person who we call.  Trusted with taking our children without us, fixing countless glitches during our trips around the island, and being totally reliable and always punctual, he has become part of the family.

Yesterday, we gave him four canvas prints that have hung on the wall of this apartment and the previous one, he being instrumental in arranging the trip to Yala, and with us, when I took the photos on Boxing Day, 2020.  They tell part of the story of the leopard Julius setting up the kill of a buffalo calf over several hours.  We didn’t see what happened as we had to leave the park at nightfall, but it was surreal to be there and experience the natural environment.  Ishar was delighted with the memory.

We will miss you, Ishar.

Steve