A man few and far between

By Mihiri Wikramanayake

"Retired, but not hurt," he chuckled. "Definitely not.''

After completing 50 years at the Bar, Shelton Ranaraja has finally decided to hang up his boots to enjoy retirement. A life devoid of active politics and courtroom antics that filled his half century of contribution to the country, and 'more time for longer walks and family reunions'.

It was in December of 1949, that Shelton, together with his father, P.B. Ranaraja took oaths to uphold the laws of justice. Shelton, took his oaths as a proctor while the latter as Advocate. For Shelton, it was a family tradition to carry on.

Most contemporaries remember his fun and good humour. An ever-willing friend and colleague who gave them his best at the worst of times.

"He was always such a natty dresser," says his brother, Ranjith. "He had the best looking ties in town." Shelton was very particular about his dress and manner and was quite a figure in the courthouse along with his devoted clerk 'Kota Simon'.

Kota Simon, barely three and a half feet in height, was clerk, advisor, friend, and even doubled up as a witness for marriages that Shelton had to attest!

In the early 1960s, Shelton was called upon to appear for some of Kandy's 'leading figures' who were arrested when the Kandy Lake Club was raided. The midnight raid was conducted on a tip off for gambling and cabaret activities. Shelton was very confident of his case as his maternal uncle, C.V. Udalagama, better known as 'Teddy', was the Magistrate. There was no way his clients were going to be indicted and he went in brimming with confidence.

But, unfortunately, he got badly knotted up in family ties. With a wave of his hand and a stern look at this nephew, 'Teddy Uncle' remanded the accused, and Shelton came out dejected and sad.

"The poor fellow was rather cut up for months," recalls his brother.

Shelton, an old boy of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, was a keen sportsman. He has won college colours for boxing, swimming and cricket and now concentrates on some golf and lengthy walks around the Kandy Lake. Up until some months ago, he could be seen in his boxer shorts and walking stick and an inconspicuous pony tail tied in a rubber band peeking out from under his hat. Many a discreet supporter of his would mumble about his quirkiness. But Shelton was very proud of his style and hairdo.

In 1960, Shelton contested the Senkadagala seat in the Kandy district on the SLFP ticket and won by a mere 25 votes.

There was an election petition and a recount and Shelton's votes increased to 30! However, his outspokenness and uprightness as a parliamentarian was not conducive to being a 'yes man' in the party. He voted against the press takeover by the government which caused his expulsion from the party. Soon after, the government was defeated and Parliament was dissolved.

He gave up politics for a while and concentrated on his legal career. In 1973 J.R. Jayewardene, the leader of the United National Party, invited Shelton to organise Senkadagala on the UNP ticket.

He did and won by a majority defeating Anuruddha Ratwatte. He was then appointed Deputy Minister of Justice from 1977.

In 1988, Shelton came under fire again for his principles. He disagreed on the political implications of the Welikada Prison riots and the repercussions of the Northeast conflict. He resigned from his post as Deputy Minister of Justice and continued with his law career. There was also plenty of time for him to visit the Soviet Union and Europe and help his wife, Chandra, in her career in politics.

"He was a very outspoken and contradictory person," his wife confided. "But honest politicians like him are few and far between."

Now, this man, who is still so very young at heart, is ready to face retirement minus his pony tail and black coat.

"I have no regrets," he said. I could hear him laughing heartily at the thought.

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