What if you meet a person colourful intelligent and above all a doer. More importantly a woman. Would gender cloud an image? Would you dismiss achievement and self determination as a derivative of unavoidable circumstance?

If so, and your views are dogmatically unalterable, you’d probably have retrospective ideas that you were in fact jaded by inhibition.

I met Rohini Cooray last week. What I learnt was that I met a woman of achievement and self motivation not usual among socialites. Extraordinary phenomenon that it was, was that she was constantly busy. She did not need to be so. Her social standing, and demeanor did not demand anything more than perhaps bridge and coffee of a morning. Rather than indulge in frivolity here was a person writing poetry in French, publishing her poetry, painting in an abstract medium, and President of Business and Professional Women of Sri Lanka.

‘Poetry and painting is totally time consuming. Writing poetry sometimes is a complete sentiment achieved in minutes, but simultaneously I need say it is not always quite like that. Some works take weeks perhaps. Depends on strength of inspiration how ideas flow and how quickly you translate thought to the written word.

I write my poetry in French. My books carry explanation in English, not translated versions but understandable insight into my writings.’

I delve into an earlier work. Professor Ashley Halpe reviewed the book ‘Flowers of Passion’. He wrote ‘The Landscapes of Sri Lanka and of Pennsylvania and the mindscapes of a lively spirit find expression in a variety of tropes and forms. The latest being the moving prose and poems of the present volume.’

Comment and perceptions from intellectuals such as Dr. Halpe embellish an already outstanding personality whose passion perceivably is writing poetry, and painting.

‘I have exhibited my works in New York, Pennsylvania. We were in the US 30 years. My husband was professor of Oncology University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We have two sons, Anil who manages the family business, and Rohan . His preference was continue what he was doing in the US. We were in Canada. As well. I entered University there. But my knowledge of French was home grown at ‘Alliance Francaise’ my cousin Sonia Samarasekera convinced me I should pick up the language; which I did, (We attended classes and now this is where it got me). Apart from what I was taught at Alliance Francaise I had no other teacher. Yes I write poetry in French.

My work of 24 poems would have exposure at Alliance shortly. I expect the reading to be done by Shyam Wijesundera’.

‘How many paintings have I done? Difficult question to answer. Say about 500. I’ve sold most. I have not tried to personify complex issues but have attained plausibility in portrayal of an idea. Those who have patronized my exhibitions revealed variety in exhibits and abstractions portrayed gave enthusiastic room for comment and interpretation.