A modest and kind gentleman with a noble heart

It was a rare occurrence to have issued a joint statement by the Ven. Maha Sanga on the occasion of the passing away of a layman. Yes, it has happened, not in Sri Lanka but in France. When Vijith Rupasinghe ( VR) passed away after a silent heart attack in his sleep on December 20, 2021, the venerable Maha Sanga at the International Buddhist Centre in France, the France Buddhist Viharaya and the Jethawana Buddhist temple issued a joint condolence message. This manifestly demonstrates VR’s dedication, patriotism, attachment to Buddhism and concern for the wellbeing of the Buddhists living in a foreign soil.

VR was born on April 01, 1958 to a business family and his parents were J inasena Rupasinghe and Violet Rupasinghe. His father was instrumental in establishing the famous wrist- watch Company “Rupasinghe & Sons” at Malwatta Road, Colombo. As a result of his enterprising skills, his father was fortunate to have the exclusive right for Rolex, Rumat, Castal and other Swiss- made and branded watches. The company was able to gain a major market share, winning the confidence of the customers and recorded a remarkable growth because of the high-value of the branded items. Rolex, in particular, is an expensive wrist- watch which is extremely popular among corporate CEOs and business magnates all over the world.

With the opening of the free economy in 1977, all sectors including the wrist- watch industry faced intense competitiveness and VR upon the demise of his father steered the company with quite success with the rest of the members of his family.

VR had his primary education at Carey College, Colombo and subsequently entered Nalanda College, Colombo for his secondary education. On successful completion of his higher education, he was compelled to take over the reins of his father’s lucrative business, being the sixth in the family, and he expanded it both vertically and horizontally.

His life- long partner Vineetha was a tower of strength to him in his endeavors. He was blessed with three boys, Kesara, Migara and Banuka, the youngest.

With the turbulent situation that engulfed the country in late 1980s, VR left for France with his family to give a decent education to his children. At the time of his demise, he has domiciled in France for more than 40 years and this enabled him to build up a strong relationship with the Buddhist temples there.

According to his childhood friend, Upul Deshapriya, VR is a carefree person. He would say many a thing in a lighter vein. He never got angry; never seen in a bad mood. He was courteous and charming. He was a caring friend, compassionate to the downtrodden, courageous in adversity, conciliatory during a crises and careful in conversation – a charismatic character.

This narrative given by his long loving friend, Upul is a fitting tribute to VR’s sterling qualities. He was virtually weeping when conveying the news of VR’s death to friends, who usually throng at the Wetland Park, Nugegoda for physical training. VR too joined us in our physical training routines at the Wetland Park, whenever he visited Sri Lanka for holidays. One of his remarkable quality was that he was really an amiable person who had the ability to build up a quick friendship.

I would be doing an injustice to his humanity and downtrodden approach, if I do not place on record an unforgettable incident, which he had to face while exercising at the Wetland Park jogging track one particular evening. He suddenly developed a chest pain and I had to carry him with the support of few visitors for hospitalisation. Only then, did he divulge that he had been on medication for a heart-ailment for a long time. No sooner he recovered, he made a visit to my house and thanked me profusely for my intervention. To reciprocate the gratitude on returning to France, he wanted me to take over the rare breed of two expensive Doberman dogs, free of charge. What a great human being he was!

Remembering him on the completion of three- months since his demise, which falls today, his Wetland Park track friends Siri Ranasinghe, Waidythilake, Upul Deshapriya Wattuhewa, Manilal Adihetty, Premachandra Rupasinghe and I have arranged a meritorious act to invoke blessings on his soul.

We pray for his safe journey in Sansara. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!