Police officer of the highest calibre who pioneered the PNB

Ramachandra Sunderalingam, a Police Officer who was highly respected for his integrity, honesty and impartial execution of law, died in Chennai on December 29, 2018, where he was domiciled with his wife, during the past few years.

It is reported that after a fall at his flat at Mylapore, Chennai, he was treated at a private hospital where he passed away. A stalwart of the Sri Lanka Police who had brought credit to the Police Department in many fields, his departure in such a manner, was indeed a considerable loss and sad news for the Police Officers of his era who had been subordinate Officers in various Police Stations and branches of the Police Department.

Mr.Sunderalingam joined the Police force as a probationary ASP, having graduated from the Peradeniya University in 1954. Whilst at University he was elected President of the University Students Council and President of Jayatilleke Hall, uncontested, which is said to be a rare occurrence and a ‘first’ in the history of the Peradeniya University.

On completing his initial training at the Katukurunda Police Training School, he went into the field. He had served in almost all parts of the country from Ambalangoda to Kandy, Jaffna and Colombo. He performed his duties in a professional manner and was accepted by members of all political parties as a fair and just Police Officer. When he was attached to the Kandy District, the Peradeniya University came under his purview. There was student unrest and a hartal by the students, where the Police were called in to the campus by the Vice Chancellor. He, being a past President of the university students, led the team of Police officers and dealt with the unruly students in a tactful manner to restore normalcy.

In the aftermath of the JVP insurrection in 1971, a group of graduates of the Vidyalankara University proceeded by train and motor car to Jaffna in a bid to rescue JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera who was incarcerated in the Jaffna Prison. This group was arrested by the Jaffna Police. The Police Officers were highly agitated and were raring to attack any member of the JVP. Mr. Sunderalingam made certain that none of the persons arrested were harassed, but safely locked up in the Hammenheil Prison in the Nainativu area in Kayts. Even Rohana Wijeweera was never harmed or tortured.

Mr. Sunderalingam was considered to be a fair and just officer when dealing with members of the public or Police officers of all ranks. He was a smart Police Officer who used to go into the Jaffna Town on duty riding a horse, something the Jaffna public had not seen before.

He was transferred to Colombo subsequently and the Department established a unit known as the Colombo Detective Bureau (CDB) under his leadership. The CDB became well known, solving many unsolved crimes. Whilst being the head of the CDB, having realized the danger of narcotic drugs which would eventually become a serious problem, he established the Police Narcotics Bureau in 1973.

Though Mr. Sunderalingam was promoted as DIG Crimes and Operations, the subject of narcotics was also under his purview, and the Police Narcotics Bureau which was established as a sub-unit of the CDB, was legally and firmly established due to his untiring efforts and enthusiasm in April 1973. It was his foresight that made the Police Department establish this specialized unit which is continuing the fight against the drug menace which has grown out of proportion.

After retirement, he left for Germany with his family and with the help of Drug Law Enforcement Officers of the German Police, underwent training and worked with them for a few years. He then joined the Interpol in Lyons, Paris in 1986. With his wide knowledge and experience, he was welcomed into the Drug section and ended up as a Drug Expert of the Interpol. He was assigned by Interpol to undertake lectures on Drug Law Enforcement to many drug law enforcement agencies in the Asian region and other countries. He was a regular representative of Interpol at U.N sessions on drug law enforcement. He served Interpol until 2002, until the age of 72 years ,which is said to be a record for an officer.

He was a kind and lovable personality, who won many friends in all the places he served and in Chennai where he spent the last few years. He leaves behind his loving life long partner Yaso and only child Radhakrishnan. He was a devoted and loving husband and caring, guiding father. All of us who knew him and who served under his command extend our deepest condolences to his wife and son.

Siva patham adainthar

Om shakthi.