Exceptional engineer who did much for the country, and devout Catholic respected by the Buddhist clergy

The sad news of the untimely demise of Aldrich Lodewyk was received with shock and profound sorrow. A victim of a severe attack of pneumonia, he breathed his last at the National Hospital, Colombo.

Soft-spoken, genial and unassuming, Aldrich was popular and highly regarded by the residents of the Bloemendhal Flats, Kotahena. A long-standing resident, he was much sought after for his wise counsel and advice, which he gave happily.

He was an outstanding student of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, and achieved his dream of becoming a Mechanical Engineer, in which capacity he served until his final days.

Sincere, hardworking, persevering, dedicated and determined, he was the architect behind most of the massive statesponsored development projects, such as the Randenigala, Rantambe, and Kotmale projects. He took great pride in being honoured as the first and foremost Engineer responsible for putting up the Call Link Tower (the first if its kind in Sri Lanka) at Bellangala, Hantane.

I am sure all those who served

Sincere, hardworking, persevering, dedicated and determined, he was the architect behind most of the massive state-sponsored development projects, such as the Randenigala, Rantambe, and Kotmale projects.”

under him to make this project a reality bow their heads in silent prayer and pay homage to a man who strove to achieve his cherished objectives.

Aldrich subsequently joined Samuel Sons, Colombo, a private engineering firm, and served as the company’s Mechanical Engineer for a substantial length of time.

A devout Roman Catholic, Aldrich was a regular churchgoer and rarely missed Sunday Mass at St. Lucia’s Church, Kotahena. He also attended to the religious affairs of Buddhist temples all over Sri Lanka. He was closely connected with some of the leading Nayaka Hamuduruwos, and rendered them yeoman service.

Aldrich did not allow notions of caste, creed or nationality to stand in his way. He went out of his way to help those who sought his assistance. His last act of mercy was visiting several backward villages to care for the disabled, the sick and the deformed, in the company of the Most Reverend Professor Makarippa Dhamida, Sectional Head of the Kelaniya Campus.

It is a strange coincidence that Aldrich was born on a 27th and passed away on a 27th. His funeral took place at the Kanatte Cemetery, in the midst of a large gathering of relatives and friends and distinguished members of the Buddhist clergy.

He leaves behind his ever sorrowing wife, Shiyamala Welihinda, son Shelake, and daughter-inlaw Roshini.

“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in eternal peace.”

Rowan Aniff