Appreciations
View(s):A true humanist who was snatched away too soon
ROHAN TUDAWE
The sudden passing away of Rohan Tudawe sent shock waves amongst the people who knew and loved him. On December 4, 2021,the world lost a great humanist and above all, a gentleman par excellence. The cruel hand of fate which snatched him from our midst left his wide circle of friends, relatives and hundreds of employees of Tudawe Brothers as well as many other companies he headed, in utter disbelief. Could this be true? It was unimaginable.
Here was a man larger than life with a great sense of wit and humour taken away at a time when he was needed most. My mind raced back to an instance a few months ago when he mentioned that I should be a pall bearer at his funeral. Was it a premonition of impending death? This request was made twice. Never in my wildest dreams did I think, this would come to pass so soon and I will be writing this appreciation.
Rohan Rukmin Tudawe was the eldest son of Lawrence and Dulcie Tudawe. He received his primary education at Greenlands College and secondary education at Ananda College. Thereafter he proceeded to the U.K in 1968 to qualify in civil engineering. Following his graduation, he was employed in UK as a graduate civil engineer at the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, Kingston County Council,Surrey and afterwards settled in Sri Lanka in October 1978. He commenced his career in Sri Lanka in November 1978 as an Executive Director and worked closely with the founder Chairman for 11 consecutive years. Upon the demise of his father Lawrence, he was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Tudawe Brothers in 1989.
Rohan touched the hearts and minds of everyone whom he associated with. His generous nature and helping hand extended far beyond his family and friends. Despite his busy schedule as the Chairman of one of the country’s oldest and leading construction companies Tudawe Brothers, he was there for anyone who sought his help and advice from business matters to personal advice and counselling. He did not give himself any airs because of his wealth, position and the high esteem he was held in society but rather put humility as his crown. He was an extremely unassuming and down to earth person who enjoyed the company of friends and family around him.
The role he played in society with his contribution to social service activities through the various organisations he headed was invaluable and immeasurable. He was a livewire in the Sri Lanka India Society where he was a committee member and President in 2021. He was instrumental in raising funds and making a large donation of medical equipment to the National Institute of infectious Diseases (IDH) to set up a children’s High Dependency Unit. He also promoted Indo-Sri Lanka relations to a great degree.
As the Treasurer and Trustee of the Amana Bank’s orphan care programme he ensured that 3,000 orphans were funded since 2019 – a remarkable achievement.
Although senior to me in years, my friendship with him grew very strong from the first day I met him. This was more so because of the family connection we shared. His father Lawrence Tudawe was a close associate of my grand uncle, the legendary D.R. Wijewardene, the founder of Lake House. While he was working at Lake House it was D.R. Wijewardene who had given him encouragement and advice to strike out on his own. This was a turning point in his life which led to the birth of Tudawe Brothers.Rohan was very proud of this fact and while telling the success story of Tudawe Brothers, would also mention that most of the Wijewardene residences have been built by his father including the house of business tycoon Upali Wijewardene.
Rohan was greatly supported by his loving wife Dr. Mala Tudawe and his family in all his endeavours. He will always live in the hearts and minds of many people whom he touched as he is only a ‘thought’ away from all his loved ones.
Lives of great men remind us to make our lives sublime and in departing leave behind footprints on the sands of time.
Goodbye Rohan, till we meet again someday. May your sojourn in samsara be short and may you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Haritha Wijewardene
To my father, the guiding light in my life
Stanley Jayaweera
A Father holds his daughter’s hand for a short time frame in his life, but he holds her heart forever
February 4, 2022 marks the fifth death anniversary of my father, Stanley Jayaweera. A true patriot of Mother Lanka, it seems so auspicious that he passed away 69 years to the day Sri Lanka gained its Independence.
He belonged to a generation of people, now no more, who upheld values and principles. I remember him for the honest, upright and fearless man he was, who never failed to call a spade a spade and execute what his conscience dictated as right.
Having received his education at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and Ananda College, Colombo, he graduated from the University of Colombo in 1949. He had a great passion for teaching and embarked on a teaching career soon after leaving University, which resulted in him meeting his life partner, my mother. In 1954 he joined the Sri Lanka Overseas Service and his diplomatic career spanned 36 dedicated years serving in our missions in Singapore, India, Russia, Pakistan and Germany.
Being a man who lived by his ideals and principles, most of what he taught his children was by example. Simplicity was a key characteristic of his personality and we lived in an average Sri-Lankan home and he drove a Volkswagen Golf. Several people who visited us have commented that our house is a perfect example of an honest, government servant.
He wanted all his children to be fluent in our mother tongue and speaking in Sinhala at home was mandatory. When he arrived in Germany as Ambassador, he found the Embassy had its name board only in English and German. He took immediate steps to erect a new board to read in Sinhala, Tamil and German, which contributed significantly to the good relations he cultivated with the Sri Lankan community during his tenure. He firmly believed in wearing the national dress when representing his country and even in the height of winter, he would wear the national dress for all state functions.
He was meticulous in his official duties and took pains to complete his tasks to perfection. Despite his busy schedules, he always found the time to respond to every single note or letter he received, whether it was work related or a personal thank you note.
He had immense compassion for the less privileged. He could understand the pain of the common man very well and wouldn’t hesitate to help them within his capacity. He had the ability to mix with anyone irrespective of their status and shared in the joys of people’s success and sorrow alike. Despite returning Foreign Service Officers being able to select any school to educate their children, he chose government schools for all his children as he was of the strong view that we should be able to mingle with children of all walks of life and not just with Colombo’s elite circle. You could never see him favouring anyone, be it at home or at work. His children or family never received preferential treatment – we received the same treatment meted to outsiders. Even at home no child was given preference above the other.
Similarly, he had a great sense of religious tolerance – although from a staunch Buddhist background he never compelled us to go to temple or observe sil. He extended the true meaning of the Buddhist word, “Ehipassiko” (come and see for yourself) towards all his children. In addition to the statue of Lord Buddha he had pictures of Jesus Christ, several Hindu Gods and Sai Baba in his shrine room believing they all taught good.
He spent his retirement pursuing his favourite passions – teaching and writing. Being a member of the alumni of Colombo University, he offered to teach English free of charge to students once they finished their daily curriculum. When most retired persons would be taking a comfortable afternoon siesta at home, he was going out in the hot sun to teach. Similarly, he taught English voluntarily to the inmates of the Victoria Home for the Disabled in Rajagiriya.
His next passion was contributing to the newspapers on a regular basis on various topics mostly current affairs and unjust happenings in the country. He had an excellent command of English and a great flair for writing and when he put pen to paper the words would just flow. Having a fervent desire to see the country being governed in a free, fair and just manner, he joined hands during his retirement with several retired government officials and academics to form the ‘Avadhi Lanka’ Movement to help formulate guidelines for good governance.
Five years have elapsed since my father’s demise, but to me memories of Stanley Jayaweera from whom I have learnt so much and am very proud to call my father, will never fade. He will remain in my memory not only as the person who was able to mingle with royalty, Presidents, Prime Ministers and the common man alike, but the special person who held my hand and helped me to get up as I took my first steps.
Vimuktha Jayaweera
This man of cars made time for people too
Freddie Alles
It is four years since our dear friend Freddie left us. Freddie left a little too early, but his, was a life well lived. A chartered accountant by profession, he was more a man of automobiles than accounts. Freddie was a walking encyclopedia on automobiles be it vintage, classic, sports or modern exotic cars. His collection of cars included the rarest models of Rolls Royces, Hopmobile, Bogward Isabella, DKWs, Fiats, Alfa Romeo, MGs, Daimler, Mercedes, Opel Recard, Opel Kapitan, Citroen, Jaguars, Jowett Javelin and many more.
His cars were not merely for show, for he used them regularly, for private running all over the country and also at the many Sunday Runs, which he almost never missed. Freddie used to talk fondly about how he started his collection with a Fiat 500, 4Sri 4080 for Rs. 5000 whilst working at Hayleys and how he used to race his MG in his younger days.
Following his death in 2018, his friend Nimal Wimalasuriya wrote in the Motormaglanka.lk;
‘In the month of January, the Classic/Vintage car community of Sri Lanka lost one of its ardent fans. One could describe Freddie Alles with a myriad of titles associated with Classic/Vintage cars such as a Collector, Historian, Enthusiast and even a Walking Encyclopedia; but the most apt title that one could give him was “Gentleman”…’
Freddie was indeed that, a gentleman to the core. He was one of the founder members of the Mercedes Benz Club of Sri Lanka, founded in 1990 and was the President of the Club again in 2017 having been its President earlier too. He was one of the strongest pillars of the Club. He was also an active member of the Classic Car Club of Ceylon, a senior member of the Vintage Car Club of Ceylon, member of the Italian Car Enthusiasts Club and also in several international automobile clubs.
I first met Freddie long years ago in the Mercedes Benz Club and we gradually became close friends. In the last couple of years, not a day passed by where we had not contacted each other, either by phone, email or Whatsapp and I just cannot bring myself to erase those records from my phone. We exchanged messages even three days before his death. Freddie was always there for a friend and many a time when I had some little issue with an old car and phoned him to get his advice, he would be at my place sometimes within minutes to help me out. He made time for people and his knowledge of automobiles was amazing.
Freddie was a warm, down to earth human being. He had a habit of coming up to the car to see you off and even in his last days, suffering with acute pain he would still walk us to the car to say goodbye. He helped car enthusiasts in every way possible, and anyone who asked for help or had a problem. Freddie helped people and causes quietly. He was closely associated with the Sri Lanka Cancer Society and served in many capacities including that of its President.
His love for his family was as intense and all encompassing as his love of cars. He would often send us photos of the frequent road trips he used to take with family, his visits to car museums and car shows from all over the world, of his beloved children and grandchildren, and pictures of him and Shanthi, his beloved wife or with his children taken when they were young or photos from his racing days. He thought the world of his family. I am glad that his youngest son Amrith continues the father’s passion for cars and the elder son Sanjeev is an active member of the Mercedes Benz Club of Sri Lanka.
The motoring fraternity lost a true motoring enthusiast. The family, a much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and we lost a true friend, a man with a golden heart.
May God bless his soul!
Harsha Cabral
He left a legacy for budding hospitality professionals
Gamini Fernando
January 28, 2022, marked the 28th death anniversary of Gamini Fernando,who was General Manager of the Colombo Hilton, and Divisional Director, Hilton International’s Asia Pacific and Australia Division.
An alumnus of St Joseph’s College, Colombo, we his classmates thought it befitting to pen this tribute to Gamini who was a legend in the industry.
The qualities which enabled him to achieve excellence in hoteliering were his unwavering passion for the industry which he so loved and nurtured, his astute leadership, dedication, and absolute commitment to whatever he undertook.
In 1993, he was rewarded with the Unique General Manager of the Year in the Pacific Asia and Australian Division award. He led the Hilton Colombo team to achieve excellence in delivery of quality service, innovative product design, optimizing bottom line, not to mention market leadership.
It is a great pity that his life was snuffed out at a comparatively young age. In fact, he departed at his desk in the midst of his daily routine, leaving a legacy for budding hospitality professionals to follow in achieving one’s dreams.
Our wish is that the turf continue to lie lightly on his remains, with a multitude of roses blooming.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Classmates at
St Joseph’s College, Colombo
Her honesty and openness touched many people
Natalie Soysa
‘Honesty is reached by the doorway of grief and loss. Where we cannot go in our mind, our memory, or our body is where we cannot be straight with another, our world, or our self.’ – David Whyte
Natalie Soysa’s talents and skills were many: she had great personal creative gifts, and also a tremendous generosity in seeing and encouraging the creative visions and contributions of others, in creative writing, acting, music, activism, journalism and every form of human expression.
But her superpower, in my opinion, which fuelled her most powerful transformative impact in the areas in which she worked, and connected with people, was her honesty. She was honest with herself and her life, with insights rare in such a young person; and she was uncompromisingly honest in her challenging perspectives on society and its injustices and inequities.
She had the grace to always make the effort to express her ideas in positive ways, and the courage and strength to constructively use her anger, disappointment, grief and outrage at the way positive ventures have often been short-changed and eroded by mainstream unconcern, ignorance and complacency.
She was a person who recognised excellence, and the purity and energy of a passionate engagement with life, and was dedicated to the achievement of both in creative expression. To do this, she lived with an awareness few in a conservative or hidebound society understand or attain themselves.
Natalie’s work is known by diverse groups of people with whom she collaborated in many projects. It is now, after her passing that we all can commemorate her, and see the range of issues and platforms across which she has been working.
Her commitment to the broadening and deepening of social understanding and awareness was shown in the way she worked to open community discussion about beliefs and ideas which are so seldom openly discussed or even admitted. These include the need for the protection of the rights and dignities of vulnerable groups; the need to re-evaluate mindsets which prevent the full participation of diverse citizens in the development of the country; the need to challenge outmoded and damaging beliefs; and the need to not just tolerate but inform ourselves about those who are different from us, without judgment, dismissal and defensiveness, to engage with them, and respect them.
She made the world of ideas, words and visual creativity in Sri Lanka not only a better place, but a bigger and more inclusive place: by challenging the cliquishness, snobbery, self-righteousness, hypocrisy and fame seeking of many operating in the performing arts worlds, particularly at the intersections of creativity and marketing.
Her openness of mind and heart led to an ongoing opening of creative doors and pathways for others, and her work will be respected and remembered by her colleagues in many forms, and inspire the younger generations of creatives who are just starting their own journeys.
We were greatly fortunate to have had Natalie Soysa living and working in our country during her unjustly short life. She did more, and more effectively, in that life, than many do in a far longer span. And we are so thankful for it.
Devika Brendon
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