Ranjith — the first to summit Pidurutalagala on a bike
Ranjith (75) before the flag off at an Indian racing meet
Ranjith Chandrasekera was a leading motorcycle rider spanning the era of late 1960’s to the early 80’s. He was a much feared and dare devil rider who does not believe in no for an answer. Now domiciled in Sydney Australia he makes it a point to visit his motherland whenever he gets an opportunity.
Ranjith who had his early education at Thurstan College was an allround sportsman, he took part in boxing, swimming, rugby and billiards but his favourite was motor sport and he had the privilege of brushing shoulders with top notch riders of the bygone era in the likes of U.D. Jinadasa, Chandra de Costa, the Deen brothers Rally and Zacky, Raja Perera, Upali Dassanayake and Rex Francis.
Ranjith has a first to his name when he along with Dallas Martensteyn another popular figure during the era rode to the peak of Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka way back in 1972.
“It was a strenuous journey as during that period there were no road paths and they had to ride along footpaths undergoing several obstacles.
The journey on Yamaha standard motor bike took three days to complete and after the duo succeeded with their record breaking feat they were welcomed by William Fernando who was the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya.
Ranjith speaking with pride said that he had the honour of being adjudged the most popular sportsman of the year conducted the Sunday Times in 1979 receiving 41,324 votes and in the race for the best sportsman title there were top class sportsman in the caliber of Sriyan Senadeera (tennis 36,222), Duleep Mendis (cricket 29,319) Bri Ponnambalam (motor racing 27,111), Kosala Sahabandu (athletic 26,606), Sarath Serasinghe (hockey 24,542), Rumy Packeer Aly (soccer), Sunil Wettimuny (cricket) and M.J.M. Lafir (billiard).
Ranjith bringing back nostalgic memories of the past said that his first major motor racing event was in 1972 in Kandy after taking part in a Katukurunda race meet in a Lambretta Vega 75cc scooter event.
His success at Kandy prompted well known businessman Brian Lawrence an agent for Yamaha outboard motors who was so impressed with his riding that he came forward and expressed his willingness to support him and promised to get down a Yamaha 350cc modified street bike and that opened the doors for him to take motor sports seriously.
Added to that all expenses incurred for motor racing events was borne by Brian which made him much easier. This followed by his sponsor bringing down more powerful bikes for Ranjith to pair with prolific rider U.D. Jinadasa.
He stated that Brian was criticised by some people who wanted those bikes to be given to their favourite, but nothing could change his mind.
I knew handling a powerful bike for the first time is not going to easy, nevertheless I was determined to have a go and with Jinadasa being offered a 750cc bike I thought then why cannot I handle a 350cc and he ended taking the second slot behind an experience rider Raja Perera.
Ranjith Chandrasekera
However Brian was disappointed and the people who criticised him jeered him, but I did not let him down and added to that I did not have experience in handling a powerful bike but the second place in my first race buoyed me to go further.
In the two events that followed I went out helter-skelter and I pushed the machine to its maximum and it bored fruit as in the next two events which was for unlimited class and an open event I finished these two events with flying colours and saved Brian from an embarrassing position thrown at him by the critics.
Ranjith underwent a nasty experience in the Nuwara Eliya road races in 1979 as his bike went crashing, hitting a power pole during the official practice day but he managed to escape with only a few bruises.
The crash also saw his bike being damaged and when I went and met Brian he told me to go and relax and be fit for the next day I will do the needful and his assurance was good enough for me.
The following morning I was not sure whether the bike will be ready to compete but I did now know that he had sent the two mechanics to Colombo to fetch some parts.
When I came in the morning my bike was in perfect condition but I was a bit shaky as I had no way of testing with a long ride as the start of the event was nearing and I have to compete against two top riders Raja and Upali.
I was frustrated when the signal for the start was given as the bike failed on two occasions while the other riders had speeded off. I was fortunate as the machine started but the two riders were way ahead but I never gave up and succeeded to catch up with them having given them a two lap grace.
Now my confidence began to build up I managed to overtake all the riders at the Grosvenor straight and then went on to win the event and later I won all the other events that I participated.
The sportsmanship of Raja Perera was great as after the end on the events he came up to me like a gentlemen which you rarely see and congratulated me and he did not come out with any excuses for his defeat.
From there on Ranjith went on to win many more racing events which is too many to mention here and his performances in 1979 and his popularity paved the way for him to win the Sunday Times most popular Sportsman of the Year award organized by the Times Group of Companies.
Later when Brian pulled out racing he of was approached by Sumane Ayer, MD of Lamco Pvt Ltd the agent of Suzuki motor bikes and they were his sponsors.
Ranjith’s racing career almost came to an end in the year 1981 after an injury sustained ironically at the Nuwara Eliya road races when his bike crashed off the road injuring his shoulder and was hospitalised for over three weeks.
Two years later in 1983 he was a live wire in forming the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) with a vision to accomplish long term plans to provide facilities, safety protection and fairness to competitors.
It was not an easy task as I was branded a rebel because I openly commented about management and other wrong doings of some of these officials during the era.
There was corruption with motor events being conducted according to the whims and fancies of the organisers and studded decisions were taken to change the completion rules and there were instances when lap timings were altered in favour of their favourites.
Ranjith in action at a racing meet at the Ratmalana track
These were some of the reasons that an idea of forming an independent body came into being. However amidst many obstacles my campaign successively increased with competitors willing to get-together as one body to voice their interest.
He says the present generation does not know the history of SLADAR as they come up with various information maybe some of the young members and officials are not aware of things that happened in the past.
The first meeting planned was not successful but a few weeks later it bored fruit when most of the people who promised to come for a meeting attended which was held at the SSC.
He said I would like to make a appeal to the motor sports club and association to get involved in community activities as well. They have an obligation to serve the community and they need to make aware of discipline and to give the message to drivers and riders and also as mentioned see to the safety of the competitors.
Ranjith is in ripe age of 72 years and is living a quiet life having migrated with his family to Australia in 1984 taking up an assignment with Rothmans of Pall Mall Australia Ltd and later was employed in the Research and Development, responsible for physical laboratory and quality assurance.
He was also news bulletin editor of Manufacturing Engineers and founder member of Manufacturing Society of Australia and a graduate officer of Institute of Engineers, Australia. After 15 years of service he is enjoying life after retirement and is on a vacation looking forward to wing off to his adopted country in a few days time.