This is a tribute to a humble human being, a lovable husband, a caring father, a dutiful son and a trusted friend who is no more. Prasanna Obadage,who always sported a pleasing smile, passed away under tragic circumstances one year ago on March 13, 2021 leaving his family and friends in a deep sense of sorrow and disbelief. My association with him, as his father-in-law, has been immensely close thus emotionally motivating me to write this appreciation.

The outpouring of grief, messages of condolences and tributes and the mammoth crowds – people of all walks of life – seen at his funeral, despite the fear of COVID, bear evidence of what we have lost.

He had a large heart filled with love and kindness. Prasanna touched the hearts of everyone who met him throughout his various career roles in Sri Lanka and overseas. True to his name he was gifted with an ever-pleasing magnetic charm and gracefulness.

Prasanna loved his family – wife Madhavi, daughter Naduni and son Dewan – dearly. I admired the way in which he cared for his loving mother Rupa.

The family acted with unbelievable generosity. They went out of the way looking for people who needed help. Wasantha and Lalani of Badulla are now proud owners of a lovely house due to their generosity. Prasanna treated the construction of this house as his own personal project.

Prasanna was a nature lover. He was also a wildlife enthusiast and a skilfull photographer. Walls of his home are adorned with large-scale photographs of wildlife all taken by him. 

Being a qualified Human Resources professional – MBA in HR Management – he understood human nature well and realised that every employee was different with varying capabilities and had to be treated accordingly with empathy because each one of them had a valuable contribution to make. Prasanna was able to constantly change jobs because of his immense ability and experience in HR management and development. His employers were in vastly different fields ranging from (these are just a few that I can remember and not necessarily in the correct order) the NIBM to Hayleys, MAS Holdings, Lion Breweries, NEXT, Virtusa, MD Gunasena, CMA CGM and Sheraton. At the time of his demise, he was General Manager (HR) at HCL Technologies Pty Ltd. 

He was an illustrious leader, leading by example. He had high professional ethics. He had a genuine concern for the development and welfare of the staff.

A tribute from one of his work colleagues (copied from Facebook) says:“the legacy you have left behind cannot be measured, but the fond remembrance along with the learnings you imparted to strengthen and encourage each one of us to look forward and march on shall always be heeded”.

Prasanna, son of senior public servant, late NA Obadage, was a chip off the old block – could walk with kings but not lose the common touch. Twenty-one years ago, when NAO passed away I wrote an appreciation and to draw a similarity between the father and son I wish to copy a paragraph: 

“Although he reached the top rung in his career and held many influential positions, he was always very humble and ever so concerned and unreservedly willing to offer assistance to people less fortunate than he. I am personally aware that he spent much of his time and resources for the welfare of the poor. His simplicity was unparalleled, his sincerity unquestionable. He was truly a man who walked with Kings but never lost the common touch.”

May his journey through Samsara be short and may he ultimately attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
Janaka Seneviratne (Sydney, Australia)