Appreciation

As I was traveling to Glasgow on the 29th. November 2005 to attend a week long conference, my mobile rang. It was my wife who conveyed the sad message given to her by Adrian John from Colombo that Ranjan has passed away. For me it still feels like a fairy tale. How can he die when he was so much younger than me? That's life

I came to know Ranjan a few weeks before last years Global Reunion. He wanted me to send a letter saying that he was the chief guest for our Basketball Match to be held on the Family Day. Since then he was not only been a friend but also a brother to me.

He never addressed me as Anton. Always called me as Anna which brought us much closer. Since then we were brothers & not friends. When I was in Killinochchi in May this year he spoke to me daily & postponing his Birthday Party till I arrived from north. I was the luckiest & happiest man to see him in good health dancing & dinning. Not only that I received the last email the day he returned from India.

He was so young to go to the top. He had lot of potential. We are all proud of him. He has two ambitions in life. His children should do well & SPC should be on top for Education, Sports & Discipline.

He was planning the 2007 Global in Sri-Lanka since he left UK after our Global Reunion last year. He started the preparation for the Global in style by hosting the Xmas Dinner Dance in a five star hotel for the first time & getting a profit of about £3000.00. He had plans to grow palmarah trees in Jaffna for the thirsty Patricians coming for the get-together. I am sure that the Colombo OBA, David, Adrian John & the others will maintain his ideas as a respect for him. Of course we will all miss him in person but his sprits will linger at the Global.

Ranjan you achieved all what you wanted when you were young. That doesn't mean that you should leave us also young. Our prayers have not been answered but god thought that you never suffered in life & did not want to inflict pain in your life. In that way God is kind. I am sure even after death you will look after your young family & the Alma Mater. My prayers for your family & friends in this hard time. When I see you again you will be younger than me.

Good bye & god bless your soul

Anton Sandrasagra
President SPC OBA UK