A gracious and energetic leader of the family and community

Ramanathan Jesudasan Gunaratnam answered the call from his Master on June 14. He was born on March 20, 1924 to Murugupillai Richard Ramanthan and Elizabeth Ponnamah. His siblings Annatanam, Gnanamah, Ariaratnam, Satkunam, Arulammah, Parimalam and Navaratnam, have all gone beyond the veil. He studied at Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai and started his career as a Postmaster but his heart was set on the business world and he became a leading entrepreneur.

Gunam Uncle was also the proprietor of “Saree Emporium Jaffna”, one of the leading saree shops in Jaffna Town. The saree factory pioneered by him was situated in Thinnavely and provided training and employment for local residents. Gunam Mama was present at every major family event as a ‘Master of Ceremonies’ and helped in a variety of ways from welcoming people with grace and treating them with dignity to enable them to fully participate in the occasion. He was such a gracious and energetic leader of the family and community, readily available to take up the role based on his discretion.

RJG as he was called was a generous and devoted Christian. He helped numerous individuals and families in their time of need and crises. He never spoke or publicized such philanthropic gestures. He was an active member of the Bambalapitya Government Flats Association and showed leadership in all church activities.

Gunam Uncle married Blossom Thangaranee and they were blessed with two boys and a girl. He leaves behind his children Chrishanthy, Roshan and Niranjan and their spouses Nanthan Paramanantham, Pramo Muttucumaru and Diyana Sanders. He is also survived by his grandchildren Praveen, Prem, Menaha, Thulasi and Mythili and great grandchildren Verdi, Rocco, Kodiak, Dylan, Paige, and Caleb. May our Lord grant him eternal rest.