A well known personality who lived a simple life

The passing away of Rajah Salgado does not erase memories, it renews tributes.

‘Rajah’ as he preferred to be addressed hailed from one of the wealthiest and most respected families of Panadura as did his partner Swarnamali Amarasuriya. They lived a simple lifestyle attending to their family requirements on their own.

The children were his pride and he took them to school while going to office adjoining the parental home. There were many registered companies, plantation and bakeries such as M.M. Salgado & Sons and Panadura Bakery Company Ltd, as well as charitable organisations administered from there.

He was an excellent community leader overlooking many charitable, elderly and care homes such as the Gothama Boys’ Home, Aruna Boys’ Home and King George the Vth Silver Jubilee Home for the Elders’ in Panadura while attending to the requirements of the sacred Buddhist temples. Among them was the Golden Samadhi Buddha Statue at the Walana Bridge, which was his uncle’s creation.

The quality of his leadership was that he had followers to attend and administer all his activities with stability. He had an inimitable manner; simple, unhurried, always with a gentle smile, to reward his followers.

He led the Junior Chamber International (JCI) of Panadura with a set of persevering youth. One memorable event was the disaster relief he organised in response to the Trincomalee cyclone where he was lauded with international recognition for having sent relief requirements to reach the affected within 24 hours. He was recognised by the Junior Chamber International with an award and at the age of 40, he was elected a Senator of this organisation.

His well-managed dominion of plantation companies, the Panadura Tea & Rubber Company Ltd which was one of the largest tea and rubber companies in the island was acquired by the Land Reform Commission. Undeterred he joined the State Plantations Corporation and ended his career as a Regional Director covering the Horana territory where he was able to impart his valuable knowledge and expertise. He held this position until his retirement.

I had the privilege of associating with his family for over 65 years being introduced by my father. He earned a lot of merit in this birth and may his merits and blessings protect his family and make him attain Nibbana by making his journey through Sansara short.

Jayampathi D. S.