News
'You gave him warmth & dignity': Brother of late S'pore man who had cerebral palsy gets letter from President Tharman
“I hope and trust you find peace and strength in the memories of the love you shared," President Tharman wrote.
September 11, 2026, 02:02 PM
Photos via Suresh Vanaz, Tharman Shanmugaratnam / Facebook.
The brother of Gunaseelan, the late 42-year-old who suffered from cerebral palsy, has received a letter from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam conveying his condolences.
Gunaseelan passed on Aug. 29.
The bond between Gunaseelan and his brother, Suresh Vanaz, had been the subject of media features.
Most notably, Malaysia media outlet New Straits Times told the story of how Suresh and Gunaseelan would make an annual trip to Batu Caves in Malaysia, with Suresh carrying his brother.
You gave him warmth and dignity: President Tharman
Suresh shared the letter from the President on his social media pages on Sep. 11.
In his letter dated Sep. 10, President Tharman shared that he read a recent CNA story about Suresh’s “care and inspiring devotion” to his brother throughout the years of his living with disability.
He recognised that Suresh and Gunaseelan had a "beautiful bond" with each other, through their "joys and struggles".
“You stood by him, and gave him not just security but warmth and dignity,” President Tharman wrote.
Before signing off, he also wrote, “I hope and trust you find peace and strength in the memories of the love you shared with Seelan.”
Special and heartfelt
On Instagram, Suresh wrote, “Thank you so much, Mr President, for taking the time to read about Seelan’s life and the love and care that surrounded him.”
He described the letter as "very special and heartfelt condolence message".
“Your words truly touched my heart and mean so much to me and my beloved brother, and all our loved ones during this painful time,” he continued.
Suresh also wrote, "To receive such kind words from our President is something I will always treasure. Thank you, Mr President, for remembering my brother and for acknowledging his beautiful journey."
He ended his post with a tribute to his brother, writing, “Your beautiful smile will live in our hearts forever.”
Suresh once shared in a media interview that he had chosen to stay single out of devotion and care for his brother.
Suresh was Gunaseelan’s sole caregiver prior to the latter’s passing.
