My good friend Ravi Fernandopulle was an exceptional husband, father, brother, friend and associate. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Ravi would know that courage was the hallmark of his personality.
Affected by polio at the age of three, Ravi was differently-abled, but this setback never caused him to be differently natured. He never dwelt on his disability and never expected special consideration because of it.
Ravi lived his life on his own terms. When his eldest son Chris asked me to say a few words at his father’s memorial service, I wondered if I had the courage to do so. I recalled Ravi’s last words to me the Friday before Easter, the day he passed away: “Sorry to put you all through all this trouble.”
I asked myself how this courageous man could ever be any trouble. He fought against all odds to be an equal among us, and I did what I could for him in appreciation of his friendship, commitment and contributions in all the years I had known and worked with him. We worked together on numerous projects, at St. Joseph’s College, at the Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association and at the National Agri-Business Council.
When we took Ravi back to his hometown Dankotuwa for the last time, it struck me how important this place must have been to him. I pictured the little boy with his leg brace running about on the lawn and I understood his wish to go back. This was home to him. He wanted to go back to the scene of his childhood, which was all about overcoming early setbacks with his family’s assistance and moving on.
I cherish fond memories of the wonderful times I had at this place, first as a boy enjoying the warm hospitality of his parents and later as a married man with his family enjoying the hospitality extended by Ravi, Delaine and their children. Our families would often get together in Dankotuwa.
I first came to know Ravi when he joined St. Joseph’s with his cousin Felix. We grew up together as normal children would, hardly noticing that Ravi was differently-abled.
Ravi, together with our school pals Sunimal and Felix, trained as chartered accountants. Ravi qualified in 1979, from a batch of only 17 students. Later, after we left school, we formed the Class of ’71, under the patronage of Fr. Don Peter. We would meet as a group at least once a year. Ravi was a founder member and driving force in the Class of ’71, which is still functioning. We will sadly miss Ravi during our get-togethers in the years to come.
My next close association with Ravi was when he was appointed treasurer of the St. Joseph’s College Old Boys’ Association, dance and walk committee, of which my father was chairman.
Our next opportunity to work closely together was as founder members of the Food Processors’ Association. Those who have worked with Ravi will tell you that he was a total team man who would never let the side down. With his support and financial genius, the association has become one of the country’s most successful, financially sound and best-known such organisations.
We worked as a team once again, this time for the National Agri-Business Council. One of Ravi’s great virtues was that he never sought positions. Positions came looking for him. At the time of his death, Ravi was treasurer of the National Agri-Business Council, the apex body of the country’s 23 agri-business associations.
Ravi loved his alma mater, and was active in many school associations after leaving college. He took great pride in the fact that his sons, Chris and Revon, were deeply involved in school activities. He was thrilled when Chris was appointed head prefect. This was one of his most treasured moments.
In more recent times, Ravi was a trustee of the College Welfare Association. He was working tirelessly to improve the college finances when he fell ill. He was so good at looking after the association’s funds that we teasingly called him “professional treasurer for life.”
Ravi was made treasurer of every organisation he joined, in some instances several times over. Ravi was a leading ‘Lion’, he headed the Negombo Old Boys’ Association, and he was a fierce advocate for the DC (Desiccated Coconut) Millers’ Association. He was much loved and respected by his colleagues.
Ravi was a true citizen and son of Dankotuwa. He loved his hometown. I believe he dreamed of retiring to live there one day. He was highly respected in the community as a businessman. He was also progressive. He turned the family mill into a modern processing facility, according to international standards. He was one of the first people to introduce alternative energy to the coconut milling industry. When he fell ill he was working on an advanced water recycling project for the mill.
Ravi was unstinting when it came to sharing knowledge. When our family company joined the coconut industry, Ravi generously shared his knowledge. He became a mentor and confidant to Sheran, my younger son, and advised him almost on a daily basis.
I am a firm believer that all things in this world are interconnected and I believe that from this sadness of losing a wonderful friend arises the happiness of seeing a young man step up and take on a father’s responsibilities.
It is a tribute to Ravi and Delaine that their son Chris has matured almost overnight, taking full responsibility for supporting the family and running the family business, while continuing his studies to become a chartered accountant, like his illustrious father.
Ravi had a wonderful family in Delaine, Elaine, Revon and Chris. To them he was Dada, head of a generous household, breadwinner and centre of their lives.
Thank you and God bless you all, for sharing Ravi with us and giving him the time and the space to be our friend over the years.
Ravi, dear friend, thank you for the special friendship you gave three generations of my family. It is not often that men like you walk this earth tall enough to straddle three generations.
The times we have shared have not ended but turned into beautiful, immortal memories.
God bless you, my friend, and may you rest in peace. A rest you well deserve.
Mario De Alwis |
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