True friend, philanthropist and business tycoon

It has been almost three months since my good friend Soma passed away peacefully following a brief illness. I first met Soma in September 1960 when I joined Ceylon Transport Board Head Office. Since then, we remained close friends. He was a very sincere, capable and honest person who rose to great heights through sheer determination and perseverance. He was a leading businessman.

We had both moved from head office in 1970 due to circumstances beyond our control, but remained close friends up to the last day. Soma never forgot his sincere friends when they were not doing well. He used to entertain them almost twice a year for a grand lunch at his residence and moved with them closely. Everyone will admit that he was a great philanthropist. He was a pioneer in forming the ex-officers’ association. May he attain Nibbana!