It was just another day in January ten years ago when Sri Lanka recognised a gentleman by the name of Gamini Fernando who pioneered the hospitality industry taking it to greater heights, taught us what leadership was all about, and set the trend for just about anything in hoteliering. There was never the need to say which hotel he worked in, for everyone knew of Gamini Fernando and no less! It was on this very day, the 28th of January when he also chose to say goodbye to his family who he loved so dearly, his friends and all those who worked under him. He adored his seven ladies who surrounded him in our then common office space, and used to say "I don’t know why I have to put up with so many women in any one working day!" But he had no choice. Readers must be wondering who these seven ladies were, but it was only Heather, his beloved Executive Secretary, the EAM’s secretary, Jenny the Systems Analyst, and the four of us in PR!

However, it is a known fact that regardless, Gamini Fernando still lives on, as his memories and teachings go down in history. One can be at any social gathering and immediately at some stage; his name will be referred to! He was not just a legend in Sri Lanka, but was a legend known worldwide, as he worked in different destinations working tirelessly and giving off his best to his owners and general managers. Everyone knew "Gamini" and how!

Paying tribute to a man of his stature is insufficient and could never justify what he gave back to this country. For many of us, we owe our success to him. It wasn’t an easy ride, for he was someone when enough was never enough! No amount of reminding him of this would bother him, in fact, he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away, knowing jolly well that his requests would be done the way he wanted it to be done. More importantly, were the words of appreciation that followed which followed so spontaneously!

Creating a real-life sea scene as a table setting, with fish swimming in it, was one of his crazy ideas, and of course, Gerard made it a reality! Be it a tablecloth made out of parchment for a sit down dinner, again, Gerard did it and went to the extent of making candelabras also out of parchment icing! How he would glow with pride. Today, should he have been alive to see Rohan Fernandopulle walking away with a trophy for being the best chef in the country, the celebrations would have begun instantly! Bells would have rung island-wide!

I always say that Gamini Fernando was a true ambassador to Sri Lanka, and despite the trying times the industry went through, he never stalled for a second, but continued his pledge to make Sri Lanka the dream destination it deserves to be. He made any foreigner swallow his stories which unfolded many strong business relationships with great results to the business.

"Mr.Fernando, I wish more people would write about you and not wait for occasions like this to pen a few words, because I am sure everyone must have a story to tell." Fortunately, his every ticking second was lived to the fullest. As his tenth death anniversary dawns, I am sure we all remember him with loving memories, respect and regard to a wonderful human being who should have continued to live on, than being yes, in a better place as we know he is in, as we independently strive to make his unfinished dreams a reality.