It grieved me immensely to see Rohan’s death notice a couple of weeks ago in the daily papers. It was only a day before his demise that my brother informed me that Rohan was ill and affected by a serious illness, but I never foresaw that his ‘end’ would be so soon thereafter. Anyway they say that God disposes what man proposes – and in consequence we have effectually lost a ‘Golden man’.
It was at Dewalakanda Estate where he was an extra efficient group manager that I really got to know him. It is not wrong for me to state that he was one of the most affable and capable personalities – I invited to be one of my directors at Avissawella. I recall ‘sprucing up' the Avissawella estate bungalow – just above the then Avissawella Regional Office – and his efficient and capable wife Yveonne and he spent the last years of their planting life in this happy home they built for themselves and their two children – who now together must be missing the company, guidance and advice of this loveable personality.
It was Rohan and another equally capable Director whose name I cannot state – but who is still with us that fortune favoured me to have – whom I would stamp as the best rubber plantation directors the country had then – if not ever before and after. Hence, it was only natural for the Avissawella region to be the best rubber regional board in the country at that time. It was unfortunate that I did not meet Rohan as frequently as I would have wished to because he was such a charming personality whose company I always liked to be in.
If it is in anyway consoling to members of his family – Yveonne his charming wife and the son and daughter – both of whom are married and settled down, to know something I rarely say of people unless it is the truth. I can state without exaggeration that Rohan was one of the very best rubber planters that this country has known. Hence it was unfortunate that he retired from the plantation field prematurely without even giving consideration to serving as a Director in one of the Regional Plantation Companies.
They say opportunity strikes only once and if you do not grip it, then you lose it forever. So is my conclusion with Rohan. The country lost a veritable gold mine in Rohan – great pity!! I regret I could not see him for years, because he lived in Kandy and I in Colombo. Hence fate decreed that we rarely met. Hence let me convey my deepest sympathies to his family and state unhesitatingly that the Rubber Industry of Sri Lanka and the country in which we live has lost a “Golden man” who could have served the Rubber industry for a longer period than he did.
I am being truthful when I state that everyone who knew Rohan really ‘loved’ him. He was indeed where I was concerned one who really won my heart as an individual, an estate manager and as a loyal sincere director to me.
I am certain the pearly gates of heaven would have opened wide to accommodate his soul as I am certain that a personality like him will have a room set apart for his mortal remains – reserved for unique personalities like him. I have no doubt the turf will lie softly over him where he has been laid to rest.
God bless his children and family and make it easier for them to adjust their lives to now live without him – his wise counsel and sane advice.
Goodbye Rohan – My friend, director and an excellent rubber estate manager.
Thank you Rohan for all you did for me when we worked together.
Clinton Rodrigo |
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