A maverick by nature he was a man of many interests

Ranjith Guruge passed away recently (December 4) at the age of 68. Ranjith has been known to me for almost half a century. When I first met Ranjith, I was reading for my Law degree and he was a rookie undergraduate in the Science Faculty. I entered university from a Jaffna school whereas he hailed from Ruhuna. In spite of these differences, a myriad of common interests helped to put our friendship on a solid footing. These interests included student union activities, national and international politics, human rights, literature, theatre and sports – to name a few.

Ranjith was born in Sitinamaluwa, a typical southern hamlet, located between Beliatte and Tangalle in 1948. He was from a relatively affluent background. His father admitted him to St. Servatius’ College, Matara and on completion of his G.C.E (O/L) he was sent to Mahinda College, Galle. However, he entered university from Richmond College, believed to be one of the oldest schools established by the Christian missionaries in then Ceylon.

It was during his days in Galle, that Ranjith displayed a penchant for politics and literature. Like many other young persons of his time he too came under the influence of two great persons who also hailed from down south. One was a Marxist and physician, Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe, whose socialist values formed the matrix of Ranjith’s as well as several of his school-mates political thinking. The other who left an indelible impression on Ranjith’s literary outlook was Martin Wickremasinghe, the great Sinhala novelist and journalist whose magnum opus, Gamperaliya was the first serious novel that Ranjith read. This novel helped him relate to the changes taking place in several villages like Sitinamaluwa.

In 1968 when Ranjith entered the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, he was mesmerised. From the balcony of his hall of residence he would have a magnificent panoramic view of the distant country side and undulating hills. In the evenings, with a friend or two, when time permitted, he went towards the Mahaweli for a stroll, which he found rather therapeutic.

Ranjith always considered his days at Peradeniya to be the best period of his life and wanted to get the maximum benefit out of the opportunity he was given. Though in the Science Faculty he interacted with students of other faculties and departments and was seen at the main Arts Faculty library. Here he read journals on international affairs, literature and social sciences. Ranjith had a partiality for Russian writers - Pushkin, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. His readings spilled over to classics originated in other countries. Being a passionate reader, after reading any book of interest, he made it a point to share what he gleaned from it, with other undergraduates around him.

Ranjith also gravitated towards the student group affiliated to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). To this group Dr. P.Udagama, acted as the patron and mentor at Peradeniya. At that time Ranjith was drawn to Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra; an association which helped him develop an interest in both Sinhala and Western theatre. He also had a nodding acquaintance with Dr Kailasapathy of the Tamil Department. To Ranjith this acquaintance developed into a close friendship following graduation. Ranjith was one of those who strained every nerve to make Dr. Kailasapathy the first head of the newly founded Jaffna University in 1974.

In 1972 Ranjith completed his B.Sc spe- cial degree in Chemistry and was invited by the head of the department to serve as a demonstrator at Peradeniya. He then joined the teaching staff at Nalanda College, Colombo. Ranjith felt his students wouldn’t get a holistic education unless they have a fair idea of social sciences. With this in mind he encouraged his students to form a ‘mock United Nations Assembly’ and debate on topics related to international affairs. These discussions honed the debating skills of the students and encouraged them to read topics not directly related to their curriculum. In the class room, on the other hand, he did pay special attention to children lagging behind in their studies.

After a short stint at Nalanda College, he joined the Steel Corporation. He also worked in the private sector including Unilever, Ceylon Paint Industries, Swadeshi Industries etc. He was a conscientious worker; any work whether small or big he fully applied himself to. He frequently changed jobs! Enjoyed taking risks! On one occasion I heard him telling friends he enjoyed working at different places because that gave a person greater experience. In a lighter vein he would say “it’s better to be a rolling stone than a stick in the mud”!

In 1978 Ranjith married Kalyani, a medical officer. They were blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter. Ranjith gave Kalyani every encouragement and support to pursue her postgraduate studies. Needless to say when Kalyani specialised in paediatrics Ranjith was the happiest person. Similarly, she remained a tower of strength to him.

Ranjith at times remained an enigma to even his close associates. A maverick by nature, he never paid much attention to clothes and personal appearance. He was a paragon of punctuality! Though his forte was chemistry when it came to further education he obtained a M.BA, after following lectures, at the Post Graduate Institute of the Sri Jayawardenepura University. He was also a Chartered Chemist, a recognition which he considered nothing more than ornamental value! Ranjith possessed a proclivity to fix devices abandoned by others as ‘beyond repair’. Probably, for this reason his close associates saw a ‘handy-man’ in him.

He was a great story teller. I recall, several decades ago, while aficionados of cricket were discussing about ‘neutral’ umpires to avoid controversial decisions Ranjith telling them, to their surprise, how two leading schools in Galle sorted out this problem. According to him at the first cricket encounter between Mahinda and Richmond in 1905 Rev. Darrel, the Richmond College Principal, officiated from one end of the pitch and F.L. Woodward, the Mahinda College, Principal, officiated from the other end. It was from Ranjith I also learnt that a year after this match Rev. Darrel while taking care of some of his students afflicted with ‘Typhoid’ contracted this deadly disease and died. As he narrated this tears welled in his eyes.

Helping people was something innate in him. To my knowledge he has helped people in numerous ways and his motives always remained altruistic.

I met Ranjith last when he came to Sydney four years ago with Kalyani. That was a wonderful experience. He was a great friend and a man noted for his intellect. A family-oriented person he was an affectionate husband and a friend to his children.

Ranjith is survived by his wife Dr. Kalyani and their three children. Bhagavadas Sriskanthadas

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Colombo mourns Anne Ranasinghe, bearer of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

We bow our heads in respect and gratitude to Anne Ranasinghe who opened her door to celebrate dialogue, understanding and friendship. She collected shards of remembrance to build and prepare the future. We mourn the loss of a brilliant thinker, a courageous speaker, an open-minded advisor and a wonderful friend.