Ranil de Soysa (June 4, 1946 – November 16, 2020)

Initials H. R. J. stood for Harold Ranil Jayantha. “Harold” named after his uncle Bishop Harold known as “Mahappa” by the family. At S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia his nickname was “Charger”, Perhaps because it rhymes with H R J!

I knew Ranil and his younger brother Shiran when we were very young from about the age of eight years. The friendship grew as we attended STC and our respective parents took turns and arranged to take us to Mount Lavinia and back; Aunty Kaminee sometimes drove us to College in their Renault Dauphine. It was at STC, we gathered lifelong friendships with many others like Jith Pieris, Janaka Rockwood, Michael de Zoysa, Druvi de Saram, Derek Cameron, Nazeer Rasheed, Anura Gunesekera, late Ravi Pereira & Bandula Perera (Nalandian) just to name a few. We used to play cricket at Savitri lawn (No. 55 Turret road) where even our respective sisters would join us and followed up by playing other healthy outdoor games that kids of that era did frequently.

Ranil was always very quiet and composed unlike Michael, John and myself often getting into fisticuffs at soft ball cricket matches played intensely. When a decision was not to our mutual liking, Ranil would intervene and be the peace maker!

Later Ranil’s cricketing talent was noted by coaches such as Lassie Abeywardena and Orville Abeynaike and he represented the college cricket teams from under 14 right up to the first eleven. However, much to his father’s disappointment, he missed playing in the big match and therefore was not awarded colours in 1965. He was a very elegant batsman but sadly missed a few opportunities in the couple of first eleven matches he played!

If he had stayed on in college, he would definitely have played in the Royal – Thomian of 1966. Instead he left College and opted to go for higher studies to the UK and lived at the International Students House before entering Hatfield College of Technology to pursue a diploma course in Civil Engineering. Whilst in London, he met and fell in love with Rehana Jayawardena, daughter of Harry Jayawardena QC.

From UK he proceeded to join his parents and siblings in Perth and returned in January 1974 and married his true love – Rehana. After his marriage, Ranil & Rehana went back to Perth where he continued his studies at the University of Western Australia and obtained a degree in Economics. He worked in Perth for a few years and returned to Sri Lanka in 1979. The story goes on but too long to mention! He maintained close friendships throughout especially with his college mates, Chrisantha (MEC) Perera, Udena Gunawardena, Nimal Welgama. D. V. Gunatunga, Kabir Issadeen, Dr. S. M. Soysa, the late Ravi Pereira and Lasantha (L.S) Perera to name just a few.

The “Ranil” I knew was intelligent but argumentative and his comments said in jest were often misunderstood. His sudden demise was a shock to all of us since he had recovered fairly well after a serious illness many years ago.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John14: 1-2

May his soul rest and abide with the Lord.

Christopher Dias