Project Coordinator

Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel was a humble and respected man who devoted his life to serving the community. Though not the founder of Two Leaves Trust, he was a strong supporter of its founder, Mr. Manik Jayakumar. Alongside Mr. R. Gnanasekaran, the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel carried out Mr. Manik Jayakumar’s vision with great dedication until his passing.

Mr. Manik Jayakumar was always spoken of by the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel as his  Guru in his professional life. This respect and guidance deeply influenced how he committed himself to the work of the Trust and the betterment of the community.

Born in Manikdivala, Kandy—a place where the village and the estate communities meet—the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel had strong roots in both rural and estate life. He attended Buddha Jayanthi Madhyama Vidyalaya and later Zahira College in Balangoda, where he completed his education. Growing up, he was closely connected with people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, which shaped his lifelong commitment to peace and harmony.

After many years, when the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel was appointed as a welfare officer at Craig Estate in Bandarawela, his work brought him even closer to both the estate and village communities. Craig Estate is located near the Dhoolgola village community, and Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel’s role required him to work closely with both groups. This unique position helped him understand the needs and challenges faced by both the estate workers and the villagers.

In the early 1990s, he settled down in the Haldumulla region, where he dedicated himself to serving retired tea plantation workers and the nearby village communities. He retired precisely at the age of 55, but even after retirement, the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel continued working with Mr. Manik Jayakumar both formally and informally until his demise.

His time at Craig Estate and later in Haldummulla was very important in his career, especially because Mr. Manik Jayakumar played a significant role in supporting and guiding him throughout this period. Together, they worked towards improving the lives of people living in these regions by promoting unity and social welfare.

One of the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel’s most remarkable abilities was his fluency in three languages—Tamil, Sinhala, and English. He could speak and write in all these languages, which helped him communicate effectively with people from different communities. This skill allowed him to build trust and cooperation among diverse groups, making his work more effective and far-reaching.

He was passionate about training many community workers, both formally and informally. He believed in sharing his knowledge and skills so that the work of helping others would continue long after him. His love for reading and learning in 3 languages also helped him stay informed and prepared to meet the needs of the people he served.

The late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel was known for his genuine interest in listening to people’s stories and problems. He believed that understanding others was the key to providing meaningful help. His humble and caring nature made him a respected figure in the region, trusted by people of all backgrounds.

Through his steady support of Mr. Manik Jayakumar’s vision and his dedication, the Late Mr. Godwin Rajendranath Samuel helped improve the lives of many in the estate and village communities around Bandarawela, Haldummulla, Haputale, Idulgashinne and some other parts of Sri Lanka. His life stands as a symbol of peace, unity, and service.

His legacy continues to inspire those working in social welfare and community development, reminding us that true leadership is based on humility, respect, and a heartfelt desire to serve others.