Reginald Lionel Perera – “RL” to me and the many who had the great fortune of knowing him – was and still is my dearest and greatest friend. My mind is full of the happy times we had together in Sri Lanka and in Australia, where he spent two long holidays in my home.
I came to know RL and his dear wife Lil in January 1957. They were my first guests when I started work as Assistant Superintendent on the Handford and Anningkande Estates, in Deniyaya. I was so taken with their spontaneous friendliness that I invited them to stay to dinner. RL has often teased me about the huge omelette stuffed with minced meat that my cook Karuppen served each of us that night.
After that memorable occasion, RL became my mentor and close friend. He advised and comforted me on many an occasion when I was in dire need of advice and comfort. No psychologist or anti-depressant could have had a more salubrious effect on me.
I remember the time I fell foul of my boss at the Gouravilla Group for spending more time with my newly wedded wife, Dian, than on my job. Dian telephoned RL to say I was depressed. RL drove from Deniyaya to Upcot to talk to me. This was a man who put everyone else’s needs above his own.
RL was the best agriculturist I have known. I still follow the advice he gave me regarding my garden, which is my pride and joy and the envy of my neighbours.
He was also a keen sportsman. He was a good cricketer and enjoyed a game of tennis at the Morawak Korale Planters’ Club.
Above all, RL was a deeply religious person. He is comparable to Mother Teresa in this aspect of his religious life.
Then there was the RL who was comparable to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, heroes who fought for the freedom of their people. I remember RL saying that if the privileged took care for the downtrodden, they need never fear a backlash.
RL, I will never forget what a wonderful man you were. You were a friend when I was in need, and you will always be a friend indeed.
John Drieberg |
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