Appreciations
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A
legal colossus ever ready with guidance He had his early education at Rahula College, Matara and later moved to Mahinda College, Galle. Young Pinidiya excelled in studies, sports and athletics at Mahinda where he captained both the soccer and athletic teams. Following a brilliant school career at Mahinda, he joined the Ceylon Law College and passed out as a proctor in 1957. Matara being his hometown, he decided to practise at the Matara Courts. His forte was civil law. With his handsome personality, endearing ways, simplicity and honesty and his extraordinary skills as a lawyer, he had in no time built a vast clientele and a lucrative practice of his own. He became a popular and much sought after lawyer in the Matara Bar. His vast knowledge and experience in civil matters together with his disciplined professional conduct earned him the respect and appreciation of both the bench and the bar. He was a legal colossus to the juniors of the bar who went to him for advice and guidance. He obliged them honestly and willingly in whatever way he could. He was affectionately called "Pinna" by them. During his term as President of the Matara Law Society, he rendered yeoman service to society and the profession. Though a prominent citizen of Matara, outside the courts he was a common man's man. He was in touch with the people, helping them with their needs. A practising Buddhist, he was an active member of the Kithulwela Raja Maha Viharaya's Dayaka Sabha. He
was instrumental in constructing a Dharma Shalawa and many other
projects involving the welfare of the temple. An active member of
the Lions Club of Matara, he launched many a social service project
during his term of office as president. Sarath Priya Senarath I
wish... I
wish I had your talent I
wish I had your gentle ways I
wish I had that golden voice I
wish I had your courage But
more than anything else Pradeep Moraes People-skills
and hard work made him a hotelier par excellence Bobby Adams was introduced to the catering industry by Joe Wallace who took him under his wing when he was a young boy; a product of the Ceylon Hotel School Craft Course in Cookery. He began his hotel life at Pegasus Reef Hotel, Colombo as a butcher in the kitchen brigade. He then worked for the Windmill Restaurant, Havelock Tour Inn, Colombo, Suisse and Queens Hotels in Kandy, where one of us first came to work under Bobby Adams. From Queens Hotel, he moved to Coral Gardens Hotel, Hikkaduwa for a short time and it was when he started out as the Manager at The Habarana Village that he was able to harness all his natural skills and the hotel industry took notice of him. It was his belief that the staff would give loyal and outstanding service if they were given some basic needs and opportunities. It was at Habarana Village that he proved this philosophy. He brought the Workers’ Union President and the Secretary from the strongly unionized Coral Gardens Hotel to Habarana, as senior members of his kitchen brigade. They rewarded him with loyal service and the hotel was never unionized. He made sure that staff members always had a meal in the hotel premises and were all provided with accommodation. It was here at Habarana that young Bobby Adams' talents came to the attention of the then Prime Minister R. Premadasa. Bobby Adams worked closely with him during the Gamudawa and other functions and was always in charge of the catering. Bobby, as he was popularly known, was a hard working young person who rarely missed a day's work. Bobby Adams was not born into one of the elite families in Sri Lanka; neither did he attend any of the prestigious schools in the country. His self-motivation, self-belief, hard work and inborn people-skills made him reach the pinnacle of his career as director, Hotel Services at John Keells Group of Companies. Today, hotels conduct various courses and seminars to draw out the maximum potential of their staff but 25 - 30 years ago, Bobby Adams was not only preaching what is taught now but also practising the very methods and reaping benefits. Unfortunately
his hoteliering career was cut short due to various circumstances.
He would have been an ideal person to have around when the country
is trying to re-build the resort hotel industry after the devastating
tsunami. I
see you still, I hear you still Sixteen
long years, You
saw the world, you walked with kings, Spine
of the family, pride of a saga, My
aatha, my friend, |
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