Appreciations

We were friends since our teens and with many fond memories of the life we had in Colombo, we went our separate ways seeking a better future.

The distance between us never did matter as we kept in touch over the years. Rohan Jinadasa had a reunion at the SSC in Colombo in the summer of 2005 and even though we had not seen each other for a few years, we met again, hugged and greeted each other as if time had stood still since we had been together before.

Words cannot describe the mutual respect and love we had for each other and how Lucky shared the same with all his friends. Rohan’s apartment was our base and for Lucky, whenever he came back from London or LA, that was his second home. He never moved away from the friendships that were established three decades ago.

Lucky was at the Seaview Hotel many years ago after which he joined the Shipping Corporation and sailed for a few years. He returned to Sri Lanka and joined John Keells before leaving for Los Angeles, USA.

As a friend he gave strength and encouragement to all of us and never had a mean bone in him. I remember the day we discussed my plans to leave Sri Lanka and he gave me his wholehearted support and offered any help I needed. Lucky touched many people’s lives. There was no fanfare about what he did. He was a genuine human being with no hang ups or hidden agendas. What you saw was what you got.

Lucky spent time with us in our home in Colombo and shared the same room with me on occasions. On one of our late nights returning home on my scooter, we had an accident near the cemetery. Both of us were barred from riding scooters until my mother got over it. He was very much a part of my family and knew everyone very closely.

My mother made sure he was comfortable and felt at home when he stayed over. He became Uncle Lucky to my nephews. My neighbours got to know him and the children would call out his name as he passed down the lane. He was accepted like a permanent resident in our home and our neighbourhood.

Looking back, we were lucky to be associated with Lucky. He was a wonderful human being. Anyone who met him took an instant liking to him.

Lucky moved to Los Angeles, made a great life for himself and married Dawn . They were blessed with two loving children, Dillon and Lorraine. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lucky’s wife, children, his mother, sisters and younger brother. We will sorely miss him.

Genuine human being with no hang-ups