'Mr Rajamahendran was a pillar of strength', a tribute from the Master Blaster

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, also known as the Master Blaster in a tribute to the late Mr. R. Rajamahendran, said the Chairman of the Capital Maharaja Group was a constant source of encouragement always behind the scenes.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

My first encounter with Mr. Rajamahendran was in 1990 when I came to Colombo as a 19-year-old to play for CCC Mr. K.M Nelson took me to visit him explaining that I was a young talent he had spotted.

From that day onwards Mr. Rajamahendran was a pillar of strength & support to me personally & professionally.

In whatever situation when I called on him he would advise listen or offer his support and walk me down to the car park to see me off often with a light-hearted joke. That was the gentleman Mr. Rajamahendran was.

In 1998 after our first test win at the Oval on our arrival in Srilanka he asked us to see him and rewarded us as his dream after achieving test status was for us to win a Test. That first test win in England at the Oval was even more special.

He was a constant source of encouragement always behind the scenes but ever-present keen to see success for Srilanka Cricket & doing what he could to support and nurture young aspiring cricketers like me.

I consider myself very fortunate & I’m happy I was able to enjoy the time I had with Mr. Rajamahendran.

He is irreplaceable & his passing is a great loss to me personally & to the country.

Mr Rajamahendran Sir Nivan Suwa Pathami.

-Sanath