Appreciations
View(s):A dear friend and born leader
Ranjith L. Dissanayake
I first met Ranjith Dissanayake on May 2, 1964 at the headquarters of the Railway Civil Engineering sub department at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, when about 20 of us reported for duty as Special Apprentices, our initiation as public servants in the prestigious government service. After the preliminaries were over, we were selected for specialised training in different fields of work in the sub department. Ranjith, myself and eight others were selected for Permanent Way (Tracks) and the rest for Buildings and Bridges.
Even on the first day, Ranjith stood out as a beacon of strength, exuding an aura of confidence, vitality and vigour. It was quite evident that this young man was a born leader and we were very fortunate to have him with us. He was a man of many talents; it was in his genes. A couple of years’ experience at the Dental Institute, University of Peradeniya had only added a new dimension to it.
The ten of us started our training at the Permanent Way workshop at Dematagoda and after a period of three months, underwent training in surveying and levelling in the Lands office at Maradana. On our seventh month of training when we were in the Drawing office, Ranjith was instructed to proceed to the Ragama section and assist the Inspector Permanent Way (IPW), who needed additional assistance. It was from this day that we parted though we continued working on various sections in the Railway network.
But we met occasionally, especially at the Annual General Meetings of our Trade Union. Ranjith served at many IPW sections in the Railway namely, Bandarawela, Colombo and after his confirmation as an Inspector Permanent Way (IPW), in Galle, Dematagoda and Extra gang (Dematagoda) sections.
Ranjith performed his duties with due diligence and a sense of pride and was always aware of his responsibilities to the department, staff and to the travelling public. He wanted to do a perfect job and expected the same from others. He was very outspoken and critical when this did not happen. This sometimes led to misunderstandings with his bosses but most of the time these ended up in his favour. He stood up for workers’ rights and it was no big surprise when he was elected Hony. Secretary of our union (Sri Lanka Railway Technical Officers’ Union – SLRTOU) in 1974 and continued to be re-elected several times subsequently.
It was during this period that he became one of the leading activists in the successful campaign which resulted in the then government finally implementing the formulation of the Middle Level Technical Service, a unified service for all the Technical Officers in the government service. During 1978/1979, Ranjith as the Secretary of the SLRTOU and in collaboration with Dennis. N. Fernando, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and other Railway and Mahaweli Ministry officials was able to convince the Ministers of Mahaweli Development and Transport, Gamini Dissanayake and M.H. Mohammed respectively, of the importance of constructing a railway track from Manampitiya to Mahiyangana, encompassing the systems ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the Mahaweli Development Scheme. This was later to be extended to Batticaloa through Padiyatalawa.
This resulted in the formation of a Mahaweli Railway Unit in the SLR which carried out the detailed survey, design and the jungle clearing of the trace up to Mahiyangana, a distance of 49 miles. Unfortunately, lack of funds and serious differences of opinion between the two Ministers led to the suspension of the project. The severe disappointment and the unpleasant working environment that ensued, resulted in Ranjith leaving the Railways and taking up appointment as an Engineer in a Japanese construction firm (Fujita) involved in the construction of a six-lane expressway from Baghdad to Hit in Iraq.
He returned to the island after five years and was involved as a consultant for various road and railway projects. He rejoined the SLR subsequent to a successful appeal on the basis of political victimisation and served as the Personal Assistant to then General Manager Railways (Eng. Priyal de Silva) and later worked as the Co-ordinating Secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage under Dinesh Gunawardene and Mahinda Amaraweera.
Ranjith retired from public service in 2003 and spent his time doing research on the history of the Ceylon Railways. He eventually completed the most arduous of his tasks, the compilation and publication of three valuable books giving the public an insight into the origin of the Railway in Sri Lanka and the important events which ensued since then. The books are 1). Fascination of Railways – Rail Transport in Sri Lanka 2). Golden Era of B.D. Rampala and 3) The Railway British Built in Ceylon.
He was also involved in various Railway construction projects which were ongoing and in the planning stages, especially the extension of the Railway from Matara to Beliatta /Kataragama and the KV line beyond Avissawella and was an active participant in the preparation of feasibility studies and project proposals undertaken by various consultancy firms.
Through his career in the Railway and later in retirement, Ranjith was a good friend, a great colleague and a skilful mentor to all of us in the Railway and the many in other spheres of life who sought his advice and expertise. He is survived by his beloved wife Sweenie, who always stood by his side in times of happiness and grief and his two sons Ruwan and Ranil and their families.
We will always miss him – the dear friend, helpful colleague, the faithful family man and the gentle human being. So, farewell dearest friend, may you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Lasantha Wijesuriya
My academic and athletic Guru
K.L.F. Wijedasa
It is with a sense of sadness that I write about my Geography teacher and athletic coach at Ananda College, Kachchakaduge Lamananda Fernando Wijedasa (K.L.F. Wijedasa), who passed away peacefully on November 4, after a brief illness. He was 93. His father K.P.F. Wijedasa was a former Headmaster of Kandegoda Maha Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda, and KLF was the second in the family of four
siblings.
His primary education was at the Kandegoda Maha Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda and at the age of 11, he moved to Dharmasoka College. He was a bright student. After completing his secondary education, his father who was keen to educate him at a popular English school admitted him to Moratu Vidyalaya for his Ordinary Level examination. He entered Ananda College for his Advanced Level and went on to gain entrance to the Ceylon University College Peradeniya, where he read for a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating with First Class Honours in Geography.
In 1950, when in University, KLF established Sri Lanka’s 100 metre record of 10.3 seconds.
Entering the teaching profession at the age of 24, his first assignment was at Richmond College, Galle, where he taught his pet subject Geography. In 1957, he joined the staff of Ananda College when S.A. Wijethileke was Principal. The staff at Ananda included distinguished teachers such as the Most Venerable Kotagama Vachissera Thera, Ven. Hettimulle Vajirabuddhi Thera, Col. G.W. Rajapakse, V. Thanabalasingham, C. M. Weeraratne, K.D. de Lanerolle, A.A. Fernando, Sertus De Alwis, D.G. Kumaradasa, K.D.S. Perera and others.
KLF served as a sub- warden of the College hostel and later was appointed Prefect of Games in addition to his teaching. He performed these duties with dedication and enthusiasm, treating pupils under his care with kindness and understanding. He was a friend to the academic as well as non-academic staff. Ananda produced a significant number of athletes in his period such as Vijitha Wijesekara , G.N. de Silva, R.de S. Daluwatte, Priya Lecamwasam, W. Hema Amarasinghe, H.B. Jayasekara, Priyath Fernando, S.C.P. Jayasuriya, S.C. Madannayaka, J.A.K. Jayakody and others.
In 1964, KLF bade farewell to Ananda and joined the University of Colombo as Physical Education Director.
K.L.F. served on the Ceylon Public Schools Athletic Association for seven years. His service to the Sri Lanka AAA began in 1969 and continued for nearly 15 years, in various capacities as Secretary and President of the coaching committee, member of the selection committee, senior starter, senior time keeper, chief photo finish judge and Manager of the Sri Lanka Athletic team. In addition, KLF was one of three officials who passed the Area Technical Officials Exam conducted by the IAAF and officiated in a number of international meets in Asia. As a coach he has produced over 30 National title holders and over 10 international athletes. He was Sri Lanka National coach from 1983-86. KLF edited the teaching manual for athletics and also the 75th AAA Souvenir.
In 1979, KLF followed a course in Physical Education at the Nedland University in Perth, Australia on a scholarship awarded by the Colombo Plan.
He was a founder member of the Ceylonese Track and Field Club (CT & FC) and served as Vice President and President.
KLF married one of his athletic pupils Ransiri Serasinghe in 1968. They were blessed with two children, son Duminda and daughter Puranya, and five grandchildren.
My beloved teacher, may you attain the Supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Meghavarna Kumarasinghe
A perfect daddy, gone but not forgotten
Al-Haj SABJOO ABDUL CAREEM
My beloved daddy Kareem, the Founder Chairman of the Careem Group of Companies (Careema Stores and Hussaini Tours and Travels), would walk in with the sweetest smile with salaams to his lovely large family during fajr with his heart full of love. His love for his large family never ended– how many of us are blessed with having such a perfect daddy?
I proudly say yes, I was. We, his eight children (I was the seventh), would agree that whatever we wanted, he gave it, and it was always the best.
We were very, very lucky and blessed by the Almighty Allah, to have such a great dad, always with a broad smile.
My daddy was all and more a child could wish for. He was very pious, God-fearing, kind and extremely loving, thoughtful, caring, and humble and simple. Of all the children, I was his favourite.
He was an absolute gentleman and well-respected by all who knew him. I was very proud of my dad. He loved his family very much and went out of his way to help needy relations and friends. It is wonderful to hear them still talk about my daddy and the good deeds he had performed.
It is hard to believe that 29 years have passed since he left us to be with Almighty Allah. Whenever I think of him, I feel his love and warmth. His memories still linger and bring tears to my eyes.
May the Almighty Allah grant him Jannathul Firdouse with the shaffaah of our beloved Nabi Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
Always love you, Dad. You are missed by your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You are gone but not forgotten.
Careema Careem
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