Appreciations
View(s):Prof. Sivasubramanium Raveendranath
Memories of this calm and dignified man will forever be etched in our heartsÂ
This is a heartfelt tribute to a friend, colleague and former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka who disappeared ten years ago, i.e. on December 15, 2006, under mysterious circumstances after attending the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science at Vidya Mandiraya, Colombo 7.
Sivasubramaniam Raveendranath who was born on February 22, 1951 in Kokuvil East, Jaffna, was the father of two daughters, Dushyanthi and Abiramy. He had his education at Jaffna Hindu College. I came to know him in 1973 when I entered the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Our batch had 88 students including 46 Tamils. His amiable and affable ways and gentle conduct endeared him to his batchmates, and he soon became a popular person in the batch.
During our first year practical training at Maha-Illuppallama, we had plenty of free time after work; and literally every evening, we got together and revelled in singing Sinhala and Tamil songs. Raveendranath (popularly known as Ravi) was often with us on the floor along with our Tamil friends, Kogulathasan, Kugatharan, Wijethungam and Manoharan to name but a few.
Ravi graduated in 1977 and began his career in 1978 as a Research Officer in the Department of Agriculture at Karadiyanaru. In 1981, he joined the Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) as an Assistant Lecturer. He read for his PhD at Wye College, University of London in England. Because of his leadership qualities, administrative competence and longstanding academic experience spanning over a period of 25 years, he was appointed the Acting Vice Chancellor in 2004 and appointed as the Vice Chancellor in 2005 by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
At the time, I was serving as Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna and was elected Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellor and Directors (CVCD) in 2006. That afforded me an opportunity to interact and associate closely with him again.
As Vice Chancellor, he had a vision and passionate commitment to make EUSL an outstanding leader of higher education in the country.
He was a most warm and affectionate person who treated everybody that went to him with compassion and kindness. Ravi was a pillar of support and a tower of strength to me as Chairman of CVCD. I could remember his telling me about receiving threatening anonymous calls demanding his resignation as Vice Chancellor. That forced him to shift to Colombo in early October, 2006 and operate from there with his family staying in Dehiwala.
He was a regular at the Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLASS). On that fateful day of 15, December 2006, he had attended the morning sessions of SLASS, and had been missing since then. The disappearance of Prof. Raveendranath, Vice-Chancellor of EUSL, sent shock waves throughout the country and the universities were utterly shaken and convulsed. Investigations were done and appeals were made to his likely captors by various parties for his release but to no avail.
History, both global and local, is replete with examples where great leaders and scholars have been brought down by terrorists and criminals. Assassinations of the late Prof. Stanley Wijesundera, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, late Prof. C. Patuwathavithane, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa and the late Prof. Sivasubramanium Raveendranath, former Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka are poignant examples from Sri Lankan universities.
With the disappearance of Ravi, the Eastern University of Sri Lanka lost an exemplary teacher and able leader, his family lost a devoted husband and loving father, and his friends lost a much respected and trusted colleague and companion. Memories of this calm and quiet, dignified and amiable character are still vivid and green, and will remain in the hearts and minds of his numerous friends and colleagues for many years to come.
Professor Ranjith Senaratne
RUBY ARIARATNAM
A long and beautiful life that inspired many
Georgiana Ruby Athisiyasiamany Ariaratnam has gone to be with the Lord after celebrating her 102nd birthday. Her family, relations and friends will certainly miss her. We are all proud of her and thank God for a life well lived.
I first met Ruby in 1990, when my husband was appointed Principal, St John’s College, Jaffna and we went to live in Jaffna. I had served in the YWCAs of Malaysia and Colombo and was keen to get involved in the YWCA of Jaffna. I made inquiries and was told that the meetings were held at the residence of the President Mrs Ruby Ariaratnam, as the YWCA building had been damaged due to the bombings that had taken place earlier. I attended the meeting and was warmly welcomed by Ruby. I was impressed by the way Ruby conducted the meeting despite the tense situation that prevailed at that time, with curfews and the IPKF controlling most areas. I joined in all these activities and got to know her well. She was a caring person and reached out to people in need.
Her father, grandfather and maternal grandfather were all clergymen, so she had a good Christian upbringing. She attended Chundikuli Girls’ College, so had a sound, all round education, which helped her to be a leader in society. Ruby believed that she had a responsibility towards her Church, Alma Mater and the society around her as a whole. She represented her Alma Mater at the governing body of CMS Schools.
She was also a Past President of the YWCA Jaffna. She managed the Finishing School for Girls run by the YWCA. She created Trust Funds at St Mary’s Church, Kopay and St Peter’s Church, Jaffna and the proceeds were to be used to supplement the maintenance of the respective churches.
She was an amazing woman. I remember at her 100th Birthday celebrations, she surprised everybody present with an excellent speech.
She was always cheerful with a smile. When I think of her that is the picture that comes to my mind.
Daisy Thevasagayam
HECTOR EARDLEY ALERIC PERERA
Remembering schoolboy pranks at Miller House boarding
Hector Eardley Aleric Perera who had the same initials as his father who was a veterinary surgeon, hailed from the calypso town of Moratuwa and lived in the same locality for many years until he answered the call of his Maker two months ago having stoically borne a serious illness for the past three years. We miss him at all times, especially on December 12 when he would have celebrated his 80th birthday.
HEA, as he was affectionately called by friends and associates, was struck with colo-rectal cancer. He had a major surgery in January 2014 and was given only two weeks to live. By the grace of God, his unwavering faith and characteristic determination, HEA survived for nearly three years. From December 2015 his condition deteriorated and it was only a few months ago I spoke to him from Sydney on the phone. I was amazed at the calm manner in which he described his condition, yet with a positive attitude and not complaining for a moment.
This was the wonderful, pleasant and courageous HEA I knew in our memorable years together at Miller House boarding in S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia! He was indeed a wonderful human being and endeared himself to all.
HEA was the second among nine siblings and he entered S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, at a very tender age to be housed in Winchester by the Big Club grounds under the care of the late Rev. and Mrs J.Y. Barnabas along with other young boarders of his vintage. From Winchester, as he grew up, HEA moved to Miller House in the main hostel block and continued there through junior and senior dormitories until he left school from the upper VI form in the mid- 1950s to follow a course in motor vehicle technology in the United Kingdom. One might have expected this of HEA as the motorcar was his passion from schooldays.
At S. Thomas’ HEA imbibed the best Christian values; he was appointed as a junior sacristan to serve in the Chapel of the Transfiguration during chapel services. He strove by these Christian values until the very last.
HEA was a friend to all and took part in almost all sports activities- the hostel being an ideal nursing ground- excelling in athletics and hockey. He was the popular captain of the College 2nd XI hockey team in 1955.
HEA was very much an integral part of all the wholesome boyish fun, including the usual scoots to Galle Road to appease teenage hunger by bringing dosai and vadai from the legendary Murugan Café, ice cream from Aleric’s and godhamba rotti from Egyptian Hotel, all of which are sadly now no more. The funds for these purchases were generated through hat collections which HEA invariably started by taking the hat around. On a few occasions he also paid the penalties imposed by the ‘school cops’ for breaking hostel rules. However, all is well that ends well and a number of empty stomachs were at least partially topped up!
Each year-end brings out elaborate, much looked forward to house dinners – good food, decorations, music, loud banter and also a tinge of sadness as each year a number are bound to leave the school. Notwithstanding, there is happiness all round and those leaving are wished well. During his last year, when such a celebration was in progress HEA brought his father’s Morris Minor and kept it hidden somewhere in the school premises. After the celebrations, along with a few others he had travelled to Dompe to a friend’s house in the dead of night, put up the household (no mobile phones then), had some coffee and returned before dawn to be in bed. The window poles had been surreptitiously removed and left loose for them to squeeze through. As morning dawned everyone was in bed and the car was returned by taking a 5-hour leave the next day. This leave was available to boarders on Saturdays, usually utilised to go for a movie and a good meal thereafter. In this case it was even more exciting! Perhaps HEA did not have a driving licence at that time.
HEA had a long working stint in the UK Â with a short spell in Kuwait. On returning home, the motor engineer that he was spent his working life in Sri Lanka with Car Mart Ltd. He was Works Manager in his final spell. He also loved the old and the classic and was driving a 50-year-old 4 Sri Ford Prefect until almost his last days.
On his return from UK, HEA made a concerted effort to catch up with his old school mates and once travelled to Matugama by bus in search of one. He was regular at old boys’ functions and loved reminiscing and renewing old friendships.
His long time Miller House mate from STC, Alfie Wijewansa. Alfie kept in constant touch with HEA and was of great assistance, joy and comfort to him and his family all the way. HEA’s wife Mary Anne was a tower of strength and supported him with love and dedication right through his ordeal to the very end.
My friend HEA, you have entered glory and may your soul rest in eternal peace with the Lord.
Rex Olegasegarem