Berwick father-of-two Anuruddha Priyankara killed in crash with alleged speeding driver
A father-of-two is being remembered as a devoted family man following his tragic death at the hands of an alleged speeding driver in Berwick last week.
Victoria
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Father-of-two Anuruddha Priyankara is being remembered as a devoted family man following his tragic death at the hands of an alleged speeding driver in Berwick.
The 49-year-old had just dropped his child off at school moments before the deadly collision unfolded about 8am at the corner of O’Shea Rd and Kimbarra Drive last Friday.
The Herald Sun understands he was only a two-minute drive from the family’s home in a nearby residential estate when tragedy struck.
Mr Priyankara, employed as a senior technology specialist and engineer at Telstra since 2014, was a beloved figure throughout Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs.
Heartbroken sister Lakmini Sandaruwani said in a tribute her brother was the very first person in their close-knit family to receive “a good education”.
Mr Priyankara studied Electronics and Telecommunications at the University of Moratuwa in his home country of Sri Lanka, graduating in 2000, before eventually relocating to Melbourne.
“He’s always been my role model, and that won’t change. Whenever I achieve something, I wait for his call from Australia to congratulate and motivate me,” Ms Sandaruwani said.
“His advice as a brother has helped me overcome many problems in my life.
“I’m a super proud sister to have such an intelligent, humble, and wonderful brother.”
Mr Priyankara and his family – wife Priyashini, daughter Nithini and son Nethun – were among a group of familiar faces at a Buddhist Sunday school in Berwick.
Friend Rohini Jayakody said Mr Priyankara spent much of his spare time “whole heartedly” supporting the school, and one year even acted as president of the school committee.
Meanwhile, former colleague Martin De Jong described the family man as a “well respected” and dedicated worker who always strived to excel on projects.
“Anu joined my team when he moved to Telstra. He was always well respected for his knowledge, excellence (if not perfection) and the support he gave his colleagues,” he said.
“I mostly remember Anu for his quiet, calm and professionalism in any circumstance.”
Mr Priyankara will be farewelled by dozens of mourners and loved ones at a funeral service in Springvale on Saturday.
A 29-year-old Cranbourne man, alleged to have been driving the blue Ford ute which struck Mr Priyankara’s vehicle, was reportedly seen driving erratically in the lead up to the crash.
The man has since been charged with culpable driving causing death and has been remanded to appear at court in February next year.
Victoria’s road death toll sits at 215, which is 40 more deaths than this time last year.
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Originally published as Berwick father-of-two Anuruddha Priyankara killed in crash with alleged speeding driver
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