Just happened....some feedback from Colombo:

One wave after another filled the parking lot of Jayaratne Funeral Parlour and adjoing streets, General Cemetery area in Borella was blocked for trafic. Politicians, Patricians, friends and dignitaries gave their last respect, police motor-gate to honour and they arrived by the thousands for a stately funeral to say a final farewell to Ranjan. The Sri Lankan Basketball Ferderation members were at the main gate of the cemetery with flags to pay their last respect.

The death of a loved one can shake us to our very foundations. When the person is so young and so full of potential and hope ---- the feelings of grief and loss can be even more overwhelming.

You are free to pour out your grief, release your anger, face your emptiness, and know that God cares. At times such as this some turn to our friends and family for support, for a shoulder to cry on and for someone to walk that road of pain and anguish with us. At times such as this some turn to our faith, to the scriptures and to the church community for the assurance that we are not alone, that someone greater than us watches over us and that our loved one has found the peace in death.

I would like to express on behalf of the Patricians, Familians, and friends and InterSector our deepest sympathy to Chitranjan's family, Mohan & mum Mahes teacher. What has been taken from you neither words nor time can replace. And while all of us share in your loss - we cannot truly share in the pain of your loss. But we want you to know that Ranjan lived for the love of his family.

For those who don't know Ranjan, a brief remembrance: ( ..little ... what I knew.. )
Not even reached his 50th birthday Ranjan always dreamed of being a top sportsman. He loved most sports and participated in all. Few years junior to me in College and I can't tell you when Ranjan first decided to make a difference, but can tell you that by the time he was in his teens, he has already had represented the district in basketball. Represented St Patrick's College and Northern Province in every sports and athletics and won many awards. Later captained the Police Team and lead them to victory in many occassions and then became the Secretary.

Ranjan got his promotions and was appointed as Superintendent of Police, Colombo - Traffic Division. I am sure all agree that, he served the Sri Lankan Police Force with courage and honour offered us hope that the values of we treasured - liberty, equality and the rule of law - would long endure. He was actively involved in the SPC-OBA and was the Secretary which he enjoyed.

He was there to give help to anyone, was protective of his friends and was in many ways a peacemaker between them. He was a very sensitive and caring child and was helpful to his family and to the neighbours. Even though he had a common boyish naughty side he was truly well liked by all. He was a child who truly marveled at the things most take for granted. His brother Prof Mohan says that Ranjan was the best brother & friend he ever had and remembers playing catch, enjoying their quiet talks together and listening to their tales. Mum - Mahes teacher of HFC remembers waiting for him to come from school when he would be half and hour behind the others talking to his friends. His friends remember the good times they had together in school, also in Toronto & in the UK Global Reunion.

To his friends and classmates he was smart, funny and loyal. To his fellow officers and subordinates, he was a reliable brother bringing them the atmosphere they need to carryout their duties. And to all who knew him - and the thousands more around the world and others who didn't - he was a hero.

He wasn't told to serve in the police force - he wanted to serve. He wasn't told to put his family first that's what he did. He wasn't told to be the best of the best - he asked for nothing more than to find his purpose in life - and in doing so became the best of the best and was his way of making a difference.

That he would die at such a young age - makes his death all the more difficult to bear. We will never know what great things he would have accomplished had his medical condition was diagnosed in the early stages. But that does not diminish or obscure what he had already achieved. Measured by years, his life was short. Measured by courage, valor and grace - he died young. He died leaving behind his wife Marina and two beautiful young children. His family and friends who will love him and miss him forever. We mourn him and we pray that his proud family finds comfort and peace at this time of loss.

You are free to give me information or write about your experiences and/or friendship and we are more than happy to post it in our website. My computer has a collection of many pictures taken during 2001 and 2004 Reunion. These images don't need words, they speak for themselves and we'll be loading it in our website soon. Nevertheless, these pictures do share these thoughts but we jointly say, "Ranjan is, above all." - Ferdi

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A tribute to Chitranjan from the SPC Alumni Association UK
Dr. Anton E A Joseph

It is with deep sense of sadness that we in London heard of the illness of Chitranjan a short while ago. It came as great surprise to hear that Chitranjan whom we met in London during the Global reunion full of energy and a picture of health had been struck down with cancer. It was even more painful to hear that he succumbed to his illness within such a short time.

There are many in the SPC alumni association UK who were close friends of his and others who had had met him in London for the first time when he took part in the global reunion celebrations. Everyone without exception admired his dedication to his alma mater. He was already making big plans for the global reunion in Colombo. It is a certainty that he will be an active participant in spirit when the reunion takes place.

There will be many tributes paid to him with many references to his great attributes. The UK SPC alumni association unite with alumni associations all over the globe in the expression of the tributes. While saddened by his untimely death we also celebrate his life and his achievements. We thank God for permitting him to be a Patrician. A Patrician who lived his life that Patricians would be proud to feel that he was one of us.

We grieve over the loss of a friend and stalwart of St. Patrick's College. But we remember at this time the deep anguish and the sense of loss felt by his wife and children. We share in the sorrows that only a mother can feel over the loss of her son. We express our sincere condolences to Professor Chitramohan his brother and assure him of our prayers to bear this loss.
May his soul rest in peace.

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CHITRA- Legacy of a Patrician SUPER STAR
Alex Arulanandam (UK)

Chitra's last parting words to Johnson were, "Machan please pray for me". This is a reflection of his deep faith in the Divine Order. He never let go his faith even in his dying moments and I am certain he has gone to the right place now to be with all the angels and saints. As always, the ones who are left behind in this world suffer the most as we share the same bereavement with the members of Chitra's immediate family members. May the good Lord continue to give strength and comfort to Chitra's loving brother Mohan, his dearest mother and his darling wife Marina and affectionate children Arjanna and Aaron. Our prayers are with you at this very difficult moment.

I want to write so much about Chitra especially all those years we spent at the SPC grounds. E. D. Karunaharan, R L Rajah, A C Johnson and late Chitra were all like four inseparable brothers.

When I spoke to Gerrard, the President of the OBA, France, he was in a state of unbelievable shock. Chitra was their 'Guest of Honour' in March 2003 for their SPC day celebrations. Gerrard was Chitra's basketball captain in 1971. Gerrard had the privilege of spending two weeks with his family in France, after he completed his tour with the Sri Lankan Women's Basketball Team.

Although we have lost a dear friend, he will always be with us in spirit. He would be the first one to tell us that life has to go on. It is time to reminisce and cherish all the good times that we spent with our dearest Chitra. My last fondest memory of him was on our return journey from Our Lady of Walsingham, Chitra was standing in the coach singing a Tamil oldie. He just didn't sing but entertained us with his imitation popular screen idols like MGR & Shivaji. He loved life. He was a very fun loving person. I was very fortunate to have had very long conversations with him recently, in between his trips to Madras for his treatments. Both of us had great laughs talking about our adventurous Jafffna days including his 'silencer removed Lambretta scooter' and the noise it made.... He said removing the silencer was intentional so that HFC girls would recognize his whereabouts from that noise. Well, to make it short, he was loved by all.

Sadly since my SPC school days I didn't meet him until at our 2001 re-union but my late sister Angeline bumped into him on several occasions in Colombo. She told me how effectively he controlled the traffic of the entire Fort/Pettah area in his early days with Police as a Sub-Inspector. He made every Jaffna man and a Patrician feel very proud to see that 'A Jaffna Tamil' police officer controlling the entire Pettah and Fort traffic...it was an amazing scene to watch indeed. He would stop the entire traffic and let my sister cross the road. Later once my brother Tim met him, he had said that he was one of late Premadasa's Traffic Officers. Once he had a narrow shave when was only a few feet away, when late President Premadasa was killed with the bomb-blast!. For me it was a miracle indeed!!.

Chitra loved his sports. He took part in Athletics, Basketball, Cricket and Football. His best-loved sport was basketball. He won the "ALL STAR" award along with Ed Karunaharan in Colombo 'Under 19 schools tournament'. He was a member of Ceylon Schools team that toured India. He introduced basketball to HFC, Jaffna Hindu College, Manipay and to several other schools. Most of all, I remember his "very best moment in sport" was when he was asked to keep goals for the first eleven SPC team that played St Henry's @ Illavalai, no sooner when Chitra had just finished playing his second eleven game. Hardly five minutes into first eleven match,our star goalkeeper Johnson was knocked out and was badly injured... so once again Chitra was brought requested to fill-in, which he most willingly did. History was made for him when SPC beat St. Henry's by 1 goal and Chitra held clean sheets by playing for second and first eleven in the same afternoon same day. This match took place as soon as our late Fr. Francis took over the Rectorship at St Henry's. As usual, there was lots of tension before and after the match, as Fr Francis wanted St Henry's to beat SPC. I have seen few star goalkeepers at SPC but this particular match was an exception.

Chitra continued his basketball even after he left our school. He became coach cum Manager of the Police teams also later with the Sri Lankan basketball federation. He toured many countries as manager cum coach both men/women Police/Sri Lankan teams.

I can go on and on but I am sorry I am not in the best of health today to continue, down with flu but I am sure Raju, Dilip, Satha, especially Johnson and others will like to add more. Also, please send in your sympathy messages to Ferdi and he will collate them on behalf of us.

I think one person we will never know how to thank is none other than our Ferdi. If not for him I think so many of us wouldn't have been re-united. Having attended 2001 and 2004 reunions, Chitra was very keen to make the 2007 SL re-union a grand success. He had provisionally negotiated accommodation for expected guests at the SPC Matthew block halls with Fr Rector.

It is a great achievement for any Tamilian to even get into the forces let alone a Sub-Inspector's post. But Chitra charted his course cleverly into the Police force and had a meteoric rise, surviving all odds, despite being a minority in the war torn racially biased Sri Lanka and eventually emerged as an outstanding 'Star' Superintendent of Police, at a remarkably young age. It was not an easy task for an average person to do. But then Chitra was an outstanding individual. We are really proud of you Chitra. Wish we had few more years to spend together, but who can question HIM or HIS authority and none of us can.

Chitra was a gentle giant, childish, playful but most of all very helpful.

Well Done My DEAREST FRIEND. Until we meet again, good-bye.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, Mohan family and their mum at this most difficult time.