100 birth anniversary of R. l. Fernandopulle

Mr. R.l. Fernandopulle was born on February 1, 1913 in Dankotuwa. He was the son of a prominent businessman and government appointed "Vidana Arachchi" of the area.

He attended Marist Stella College, Negombo and St. Josephs College, Colombo 10, where he excelled in his academic and sporting endeavours.

His primary interests in business lay in the coconut industry where he owned and set up numerous Coconut Plantations, D/C, Oil and Fibre Mills throughout the Wayamba Province. He also served as Chairman of the Coconut Research Institute, Coconut Cultivation Board and the Coconut Development

Board and was the first Chairman of the Ceylon Coconut Fibre Board. In 1986 he was awarded the "Best Coconut Cultivator Award" by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN at the annual conference in Bangkok. He was a prominent member of the Colombo Chetty Association of Sri-Lanka serving as its President for a number of years and playing a pivotal role in introducing the race as a separate entity in the constitution of Sri-Lanka.

He also served as President of the Marist Stella College OBU and Vice President of St. Josephs College OBU for a vast number of years doing great service to both his Alma Maters with great distinction.

His other Great Passion was politics. He was a founder member of the United National Party and served on various boards and executive committees during the tenures of D.S Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala, J.R. Jayawardene and R. Premadasa. He was appointed District Organiser of the Puttalam District and was instrumental in reorganizing the party from grassroot level that led to great success in 1977. He was also very active in the political work in both the Katana and Negombo Electorates and did great service to the people of these areas. He was involved in many activities in the Western and Wayamba Provinces alongside stalwarts such as Festus Perera, Wijepala Mendis, Denzil Fernando, Harold Herath and Gamini Jayawickrema Perera.

We celebrate his 100 Birth Remembrance in remembering him as a loving Husband, Father and Grand father, A philanthropist, Leader and Administrator, A Great Friend to the both rich and poor and last but not least a stirling son of Mother Lanka.

Marian J.Rodrigo Candappa, Colombo 13.