After more than 45 years in HVACR, technical advisor and senior chiller technician, Nihal Wickramaratna, is hanging up the gauges in Australia and heading home to Sri Lanka to do charity work.
Nihal’s final nine years on the job were spent working at Airvision in Perth where the company’s director, Adam Raas, described his career as “remarkable”.
Adam said it is hard to summarise a career as deep and respected as Nihal’s, but if he had to choose one phrase it would be: a true gentleman of the trade.
“This is because he is always smiling and remains calm even under pressure,” Adam said.
“Whether he is performing 12 monthly checks on a 2000kW CHVE, resolving a classic inverted chiller start on a cold winter’s morning or a complex Danfoss Turbocor diagnoses, Nihal will be smiling.
“I am sure Nihal’s next chapter will be filled with the same generosity and purpose that has always defined him – supporting his local community and continuing his work back home in Sri Lanka. But now he will have even more time to give, serve and inspire.”
Nihal began his career as a motor mechanic before moving into HVACR and becoming one of the most respected chiller technicians across two continents.
Nihal has worked throughout the Middle East and Australia utilising his technical skills to resolve any problem thrown his way. And he has been tasked with some interesting jobs.
“My first job in Perth was in the early 1990s at Central Park where I was tasked with identifying all of the company’s HVAC assets covering 51 floors,” Nihal explains.
“They had to be officially documented and commissioned. It sounds simple but the passenger lifts weren’t in operation which is why it took two and a half years to complete the job.”
Prior to joining Airvision, Nihal spent 15 years working at Trane Air Conditioning in Perth.
Everyone that has worked with him is sad to see him leave the industry especially the team at Airvision where they thanked him for his professionalism, kindness and wisdom.
The team’s farewell wishes summed it up perfectly – a career well lived, and a legacy well earned.