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| Sunday, 20 July 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Great men whether they are social reformers, great thinkers, statesmen or patriots differ from average people- that is they do have the courage to dream and make the dream into reality. They give life a true meaning, and dedicate themselves to achieve their goal. Undoubtedly, the late S. T. Sinnathurai whose 100th Birth Anniversary was celebrated last Sunday at Kathirgama Yathirigar Thondar Sabai at Captain Gardens, Maradana, was a great man. Late Sinnathurai who was the owner of Leela Printing Press, Leela Stores and many other establishments was a business tycoon in the last century. He was moulded very different from the common specimen of humanity. He towered over many of his contemporaries by his capabilities, hard work, indomitability in the face of numerous vicissitudes. As a philanthropist of Sri Lanka, he had rendered yeoman service to the nation in different spheres. His sterling qualities and honest traditions were remarkable which are lessons for generations to come. The almighty gave Mr. Sinnathurai strength, vision, foresight and courage. Three things in Mr. Sinnathurai's life had been cardinal factors to enable him to reach a high position in the society. The faith that had sustained him during his hours of trial; secondly his supreme confidence in his ability to make good and thirdly hard work. He was a man of action who always believed that no matter what the impediments were, he relentlessly worked towards his goal, undaunted, fearlessly, forthrightly and was never demoralized. Mr. Sinnathurai was also closely associated with the father of the trade union movement in Sri Lanka the late A. E. Goonesinghe and he was deeply interested in the spreading of the "Khadi Movement" in Sri Lanka, owing to the profound inspiration given by Mahatma Gandhi. He was fluent in all the three languages Tamil, Sinhala and English. The reputed Leela Press, from the inception had the distinction of bringing out several valuable publications in all three languages. The Sinhala and Tamil Calendars published by him were unique which were acclaimed universally not only in Sri Lanka but also in several countries where these calendars are commonly used. Mr. Sinnathurai was held in high esteem by some of the distinguished leaders including president J. R. Jayewardene, president R. Premadasa, Mr. A. Amirthalingam, Mr. Philip Gunawardana, Mr. S. Thondaman and a host of Cabinet Ministers from different political parties with whom he associated intimately but he never used the political ladder for his propriety. He was one of the fore-runners of inter-communal, inter-racial, inter-religious harmony even during turbulent times. He functioned as Vice President of the All Ceylon Hindu Congress, Kathirgama Yathirigar Thondar Sabai, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Sri Ganesh Temple (Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Temple), Captain Gardens and actively participated in the affairs of the Colombo Saiva Munnattra Sangam. He was generously helpful for the renovation of the some important Hindu temples and an ardent devotee of the ancient holy shrines of Thirukketheeswaram, Maviddapuram, Selva Sannathi and the great Kataragama. In the rat race that pervades and penetrates printing trade the name of "Gandhi Sinnathurai" the builder of "New Leela Press" will stand out as a glorious exception. Undoubtedly, the word "Leela Sinnathurai" had become a household name in Sri Lanka and his sublime thoughts, power packed deeds have created an indelible impression in the minds of Sri Lankans. - M. Krishnan |
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