Candlelit vigil farewells top scholar
Last Wednesday night, a candlelit vigil was held at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington to commemorate PhD student Apsara Wimalasiri who was killed while visiting her home country, Sri Lanka.
Alongside friends and colleagues of Apsara, Kaiwhakakapi Tumu Whakarae Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennifer Windsor spoke on behalf of the University acknowledging Apsara’s contributions to the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, her exceptional scholarship, and her involvement in different University communities.
"The memorial vigil for Apsara was extremely important to have on campus, both to celebrate her memory and to provide a space for people to come together in remembrance of her,” says Apsara’s PhD supervisor Dr Corinne Seals. “Holding this vigil on campus helped friends and colleagues of Apsara come together to support each other, say goodbye, establish the beginnings of closure, and feel cared for by the university community. The vigil was peaceful, beautifully put together by VUWSA, and important for the wellbeing of those who cared for Apsara."
Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Professor Sarah Leggott attended to pay her respects: “The vigil held by candlelight on campus last week was an extraordinarily moving event as friends and colleagues shared stories and memories of Apsara. It was a privilege to share in this commemoration and to pay tribute to Apsara’s life and legacy together with so many members of the university community.”
Apsara was studying her PhD in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies investigating heritage language speakers and was involved in many communities across the university. You can read more about Apsara here.