Bhathiya Bulumulla – The Man I Knew

It is hard for me to comprehend or believe that it is one month since Bhathiya passed away on that fateful day, 15th March 2025 in Fiji. He slipped away from this life most unexpectedly. My colleague Priyantha and I were sad witnesses to his last moments, one consolation being that Bhathiya did not suffer but passed on with a smile on his face.Bhathiya was always a person with an enduring smile and effervescent personality.

I knew Bhathiya since 1986 when he came as a trainee, in planting jargon as a ‘creeper’ to me. His parents and his two sisters came to leave him with me to undergo his training almost 39 years ago. This memory is still etched in my mind. Bhathiya came from a closely knit family which was my first impression of him.

After his training in the basics of Tea which he successfully completed, he moved over to my close friend Naresh Ratwatte to learn his basics in Rubber and then went on to be appointed an Assistant Superintendent.

Bhathiya always kept in close contact with me, and I closely followed his career progress. We were delighted when he met and married his beloved wife Kaushi.

Years later in 1999 Bhathiya joined Elpitiya Plantations as an estate manager and rose to the position of Joint Managing Director/ CEO within a short period of time and would have eventually succeeded me.

Apart from his professional life, what I want to emphasise and appreciate is that Bhathiya was a great friend, mentor and guru to many. His pride and joy was his family. Kaushi, his wife, was the wind beneath his wings and his soul mate. Bhathiya gave credit to Kaushi for all the family achievements and success. He was extremely proud of his three children, Mindula, Dulinika and Saveen and in all what they had achieved. Bhathiya kept me informed of all their achievements and was extremely proud when Dulinika was appointed head prefect at Ladies College. All his children made him proud, and he always loved to share their achievements with me be it in sports or anything else. I could always see the pride in his face in such instances which were not done to boast, but because he knew I was always happy for him.

In October 2024 on his last birthday celebrated in office, I mentioned to the Elpitiya Plantations family that Bhathiya should be admired beyond his professional life and learn from Bhathiya’s personal life too. He balanced his professional and personal life successfully. His devotion to his family, he extended to the Elpitiya Plantations family too.

There were many welfare schemes he initiated in the company which uplifted the living standards of many employees. He always canvassed towards the wellbeing of the people working at Elpitiya plantations and showed much empathy and care for them.

Bhathiya also reached out and helped many of his school colleagues and fellow planters in numerous ways. He always found time for those in need.

Inside his larger-than-life demeanour he had a large, soft heart which was easily recognisable. His genuineness touched many lives, and this was witnessed by the large gathering of people from all walks of life that gathered to bid farewell to Him.

As for me, I have lost a good friend, a confidant and someone whom I trusted implicitly and was always immensely proud of.

I will truly miss him.

Rohan M. Fernando