An outstanding champion of betterment of others, Mr. Srikrishnan is acommunity builder. He was very active in many associations andvolunteer organizations without seeking any position or title. As suchmany organizations in the community are the beneficiary of his long,dedicated service since he was committed to helping people. He was acentral figure in growing the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce(CTCC) from its founding. It was through CTCC my ties with SrikrishnanAnna blossomed into family friendship over these decades.
Mr.Srikrishnan’s mere presence helped CTCC navigate a time whenretailing and entrepreneurialism was unseen as a group needing anorganized setup in the community. His commitment was formidable inCTCC emerging as a pioneering organization that displayed the TamilCanadian community name along with economic skill in the forefront.
I express our deep appreciation and condolences to his friends andfamily, and thank Mr. Srikrishnan for the legacy he leaves behind forthe betterment of future generations.
Logan Velumailum
Participating at Charity Events
Messages of Condolence
“A true gentle giant, his charismatic and thoughtful actions span many spheres and walks in communities he touched! May his soul Rest In Peace and deepest condolences to the family!”
That was my message of condolence on the social media post notifying the passing of Mr. Srikrishnan.
It is deeply saddening to recall those times I interacted with him very frequently in the nineties decade when i was also a Torontonian; and now he has departed leaving behind just those times to cherish.
My relationship with him profoundly was in my dealings as a contributor of mostly Canadian news on publications edited by DBS Jeyaraj.
SrikrishnanSubramaniam the name pictures to many his moustache, deep voice and a passionate desire to serve, contribute and uplift others.
The Tamil Canadian life of the nineties crisscrossed numerous crises and challenges but MrSrikrishnan was at every cornerstone in his own unique ways. His way is delivering on all his beliefs, therefore he was there to contribute in all ways possible.
He carried with him all the virtues of life has to offer, from his birthplace Vaddukoddai, Jaffna College and sojourns in England and life in Singapore.
He would always encourage me to do more of my writings and emphasize on the necessity to reach out to many people in the wider spectrum of our new home country in the True North Canada. He would treat me in utmost geniality and respect when we shopped in his establishments.
He is a well known philanthropist to the many organizations of that time.
Now that it feels like a generation has passed and this isn’t the tumultuous nineties we confront as Tamil Canadians. But shoes like Mr. Sri Krishnan’s are hard to fill at any time in history!
ThiruThirukumaran
“One of my close associates in different activities. A great gentleman and it is a big loss for the Tamil community; he was instrumental in forming the first Tamil Chamber of Commerce. May his soul rest in peace. My sincere sympathies are with Sanjeevan and their family.”
SinnaduraiSenthivel
“I would like to express profound grief and deep sorrow for the loss of our bold, straightforward, fearless, thoughtful and lovely gentleman, Srikrishnan. I knew him for several years while being a board member in CTCC and after. He had the courage to say, what many of US may think, but dare not utter. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
YasoSinnadurai, Barrister & Solicitor, Toronto
Participating at Charity Events
“Mr. Srikrishnan has been an asset to the community in many ways and was deeply committed to an evolving structured society. He was sincere, honest and direct in his commitments. Mr. Srikrishnan will be sorely missed not only by his family but by his community of friends as well. A life well lived. May he rest in absolute peace.”
Arul. S. Aruliah, Founding Chair, Yaarl Co-operative Homes, Mississauga.
“Late SrikrishnanSubramaniam who was one of the founder members of the Chamber was a tower of strength to the CTCC and always brought valuable advice to the Chamber through his wide knowledge and experience in the field of business activity. His passing away is a great and immeasurable loss not only to the Chamber but also to the Canadian Tamil business community. He was always outspoken and a firm advocate of the need for an office building for the Chamber and I feel happy and proud that his dream has become a reality since the Chamber has purchased a building of its own recently. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
SanthaPanchalingam, President Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce (CTCC)
“Srikrishnan and I met in 1995 at the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce. Very quickly I realized that he was a unique person. Sri was in a business, he was not trained for. His educational and career credentials were in telecommunication engineering. But, he soaked himself into small business in Canada and continued to fight for strengthening and supporting many business ventures in our community. The Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce was a good fit for him in this advocacy.
At times, Sri and I have had difference of opinions in policies and issues at the Chamber of Commerce; but at the end of the day, we remained respectful to each other’s views.
We just lost a very simple soul, with strong convictions towards betterment of our business community, in particular and the community, at large.”
Gnanachandran, Co-Owner, Majestic Wealth, Past president, CTCC
“Mr. Srikrishnan was instrumental with other key members of the Chamber for many of our small businesses’ success, including mine. He always made sure that we came up with ideas to help the business community. His focus was to help Tamil Community here in Canada and back home and it to become a very successful community. He worked diligently for the Tamil causes. Also he suggested my name to the selection committee for the presidency of the Chamber and challenged me with every step of the way and every event we organized, at the end he made sure that we were all successful along with the community businesses. He’ll be missed and remembered as long as the Chamber exists.”
Kula Sellathurai, Entrepreneur, Author, Past President, CTCC
“A respectful leader, mentor and a guide to many business people in the community. A straightforward talker but a kind hearted personality.
Respectfully call him Uncle and had an opportunity to host him at a social reunion event a few years back. He will be missed by many.
My respects and regards.”
Gnane Buwan Gnanendran
“Ratna,
I feel your emotions. Sri was a good friend.
Sad to hear about him passing away. His brother Wigneswaran was my classmate from 1957- 1964. Knew all the members of the family as well. They are also relatives of my wife Dhanaranjini.
In recent times, I met him at your son’s wedding and also in Toronto several times with my other friends and Sri’s brother in law Pathy.
Heartfelt condolences to all his family.
His father Manium Overseer owned all the properties in College Lane starting from the “Pin café” (Perambalam’s book shop) to all the way to Chelliah Hostel).
Many of us have lived in properties owned by his family while at JC. Their family contributed a lot to enhance the life around Jaffna College.
May his soul Rest in Peace.”
MithieTharson
“Dear Ratna,
Srikrishnan was my classmate and I am saddened to hear that he is no longer with us.
I remember the days when we went to his place during lunch time to listen to cricket commentary. They had a very powerful radio with an antenna to match that could get radio Australia without any trouble.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.May his soul rest in peace.
Kind regards”
Sriragavan
