Seevaratnam Velupillai celebrates his 100th birthday this month (May 16).
A native of Batticaloa, he credits a mathematics teacher at school for helping him in his studies, and encouraging him to go to University.
His career in the UK included many years at Town and City Properties, leading the accountancy team. He is a past President of the Rotary Club of Southgate, and contributed to several charities, as President or Treasurer, for many years, including Tamil Refugees, Crossroads and the Ruth Winston centre.
“I am eternally grateful for his help, which also inspired me to help others,” he told Asian Voice.
Velupillai was the Senior Partner at accountancy firm Ford Rhodes Thornton in Colombo for many years, where he helped to bridge the gap between the British management and its Sri Lankan employees.
“The key was fostering mutual respect between managers and employees, by allowing employees time off for key family and religious events – which encouraged their commitment to work and the company in return,” he said.
