By Chavith
July 17, Colombo (LNW): The former President of the National Olympic Committee, Mr. Suresh Subramaniam, has passed away. The final rites for his remains are scheduled to be performed today (17) at 3:30 PM at the Borella General Cemetery (New Crematorium).
This brief note is dedicated to him, our long-time friend.
This marks the 18th year of operation for the “LNW Media Network”. For nearly 15 years of this journey, we received patronage and support from Suresh in various ways. First and foremost, we extend our gratitude to him once again in this regard. The connection between Suresh and us was established by the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe.
In truth, many people in this country do not properly know who Subramaniam was. Although he was a massive businessman, he did not own any businesses within Sri Lanka. However, his international business network was exceptionally vast. To digest the scale of it, following the destruction of the World Trade Centre Twin Towers during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States 25 years ago, when the electricity supply in New York City collapsed, it was a company owned by Suresh that restored power to the city within 24 hours using floating power plants known as barges. His businesses related to the energy sector were primarily based in African countries and South America. He was also known as an expert in businesses associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG). His temporary residences were in New York, USA, and London, UK.
If Suresh had been in his usual good health, this would have been the week he returned to Sri Lanka after travelling to watch the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. He was someone who participated every year as a special guest to watch the Wimbledon Tennis Championship, the highest tournament in international tennis. His wife joined him every year, and a few friends also received the opportunity to access the tournament alongside him. World-renowned tennis superstars such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal were his personal friends. These superstar tennis players were frequently seen visiting him at his London residence. In addition to the immense service Suresh rendered to sports in this country in general as the President of the Sri Lanka Olympic Committee, he also performed a tremendous service specifically for tennis in this country.
Suresh was a good golfer. Furthermore, almost every time he visited London, he spent a lot of time with novices like us. That was because of the boundless love he harboured toward Sri Lanka. Those memories will never die.
It was Wickremesinghe, the then Leader of the Opposition, who asked Suresh to contest for the National Olympic Committee. Following the former President Hemasiri Fernando, Suresh assumed the Presidency of the National Olympic Committee, receiving Hemasiri’s support as well.
Suresh did not belong to any political party. He had friends in every party. Yet, no matter what friendships existed, he never tolerated corruption. Being fiercely anti-corruption, there were instances where he removed even his closest friends from positions without any mercy. Such was the extent of his principled nature. He was truly an ornament to the positions he held. The positions shone because of him; he did not shine because of the positions.
Likewise, as an ardent loyalist of Ranil, it can be said that he was one of the greatest strengths Ranil possessed. We can personally state that Ranil also respected him immensely. After Wickremesinghe assumed the Presidency in the year 2022, he placed a call to Suresh and inquired, “What needs to be done from my end?” Replying instantly, Suresh had said, “Sir, do your job properly. If you ever need anything, call me. I don’t need anything. I have more than enough things. Also, I don’t need to do anything in Sri Lanka.” Suresh was that kind of individual.
An Old Royalist, Suresh was a classmate of our former staff writer and former editor of the BBC Sandeshaya, Priyath Liyanage, as well as Mano Tittawella. The three of them will surely meet again tonight.
If one arrives, one must depart. That is the law that no one can evade. The departure of Suresh is an unbearable loss to us. The void he leaves behind will be deeply felt by many others in the exact same way. To our dear friend Suresh Subramaniam, who lived as a good man, lived as a good friend, brought goodness to the country through his life, and finally departs today—we wish you a safe journey.
“Sleep well, prince! May the angels watch over your slumber!”