A ‘Special Commemorative Cover’ was released to commemorate the 81st Birth Anniversary of the Late Mr. R. Rajamahendran, founder of Gammadda.
The ‘Special Commemorative Stamp’ was designed by veteran stamp designer W.K. Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe.
The ‘Special Commemorative Cover’ can be purchased via this link.
Link to Live video coverage via our facebook page.
Bulletin details
Mr. R. Rajamahendran, the late Chairman of The Capital Mahajara Group and founder of ‘The Gammadda Movement’, was born on 19th May 1943. He was an old boy of Royal College, Colombo and joined his father at the Maharaja Organization at the tender age of 16 along with his brother.
Aged 21, he and his brother took on the reigns of the group after their father’s demise, with little or no formal training on how to run a business.
Since then, Mr. R. Rajamahendran built what is not only a world-renowed, diverse conglomerate but also an organization with a civic consciousness and a heart for the people.
Few of his achievements include:
- Setting up Sri Lanka’s first BOI Joint-Venture in the 1970’s
- Construction of Sri Lanka’s largest hydro-electric power infrastructure
- Being the leadership behind Sri Lanka receiving ICC status in cricket which is a well known secret
- Making mobile technology available to the average Sri Lankan by founding Dialog GSM
- Setting up Sri lanka’s largest media network that has differentiated itself through innovation
- Directly overseeing News1st, Sri Lanka’s news network that has never compromised on it’s commitment to the people to tell nothing but the truth
- Changing the lives of millions of Sri Lanka s through the Gammadda Movement that he founded.
He was not just a man, but a chapter of Sri lanka’s post independence history.
Many leaders, from diverse spheres including business and politics, past and present, owe their careers to this man, who unselfishly supported them when no one else would. He supported leaders without expecting anything in return.
His heart for any the ordinary people, especially the downtrodden poor of Sri Lanka was a defining characteristic that made him an extraordinary leader, and led him to found ‘The Gammadda Movement’.
A Hindu himself, his contribution to Buddhism and all other religions is beyond compare. He saw his role as a leader who brings together, rather than one who tears it apart. He was the embodiment of reconciliation as he built a company that welcomed people of all religions, ethnicities, cultures, and creeds to work as one, for the benefit of Sri Lanka.
He was also a patron of the arts, being a dedicated collector and supporter of the Great Masters and upcoming artists. His knowledge and appreciation of music and movies were unparalleled and this was seen in the innovative concepts that Sirasa and Shakthi gave birth to, over the decades.
Mr. Rajamahendran refused to compromise on many things, and perhaps most important was his integrity. He refused to be involved in unethical business practices and always took hard decisions when it came to national interest over personal profit.
He faced insurmountable challenges in his life but overcame them all. The offices of the Group were burnt in 1983, Sirasa was bombed in 2009, his life was constantly in danger and he lost many dear friends in his march towards the truth. But he stood steadfast and unwavering for his beliefs, never taking a step back.
Today as he has been called to rest after a lifetime of fighting for a better country and a better tomorrow for us all, his legacy will live on in every life he touched. He never gave public speeches and never sought publicity. He instead, gave the pride of place to his team, so that they would excel in all they did.
Mr. Rajamahendran believed in a strong, independent Sri Lanka that bowed before no other nation in the world. He believed in the creation of a nation where our people were prosperous, lived happily and in togetherness.
He hoped and prayed for clean political leaders who would always place the interests of the people ahead of their own. He risked everything for what he believed in.
This Group will continue to dedicate itself to the vision of this great leader. A Proud Sri Lanka, who believed that the Power of the Truth will ultimately win over all evil.
This Group under the leadership of the new Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Sashi Rajamahendran, will continue to innovate, continue to build leaders, continue to stand by the truth, and continue to play its role as it always has, as a vital part of Sri Lanka’s journey towards a better future.
