Much has been said and written about Justice P. Ramanathan that I would find it difficult to write anything new except to repeat what has already been penned. However, when his wife reached out to me, I readily agreed to pen a few words. Repetition is not necessarily a good thing in the normal course of events, but in the case of my dear departed friend, Rama, it brings back happy memories of a great man and a true friend.
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Justice P. Ramanathan
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My first encounter with Rama was in the portals of London House, a home from home in the big city for young post-graduates and aspiring professionals. Sri Lanka, or Ceylon at the time, had a significant contingent of such persons at London House; many of whom were sons of distinguished personalities back home. Of course, I had not met him before, but like all Ceylonese entering London House at the time, I had been advised that Rama was the man to meet, to help us acclimatise ourselves to the colonial surroundings of that establishment. I did so with much trepidation. I was very soon disarmed by Rama’s genial personality, and of course, his hallmark of being a friend and mentor to so many. His commanding personality and absolute simplicity made a lasting impression on me.
Rama advised me very firmly that I was embarking on a very difficult course by the study of Accountancy. Many had fallen by the wayside, but he was persistent that I should persevere to the bitter end rather than settle for a pen pusher’s job in London, as many had done due to failure at exams. I recall the day when I had finally passed out as a Chartered Accountant and the first person I broke the happy news to was, of course, Rama.
I returned to Sri Lanka, and I was happy that I was at the Colombo Harbour to welcome Rama himself, who returned home shortly thereafter. I continued my friendship with Rama and of course his beloved Mano, who was able to convince him that eternal bachelorhood was not for him. Many of his friends were delighted when they celebrated their nuptials, and one could not have imagined a better-matched couple.
Rama had his early education at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, and continued his schooling at Montford Boys’ High School in India. There, Rama excelled in studies and sports, and was the captain of the school’s cricket team. Thereafter, he graduated from St. David’s College, Lampeter, of the University of Wales. Rama was subsequently called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in London, before returning home.
Rama spent a short time working in the Chambers of Lakshman Kadirgamar. On a personal note, I recall the day when Rama invited a few of us to lunch at the Orient Club, an occasion recorded in Dr. Brendon Gooneratne’s book. Present at this luncheon was Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was debating with himself at the time whether he should take the plunge of entering the local political arena. Almost all of us tried to dissuade him, in his own best interest. The rest is history.
Soon after, Rama joined the Attorney General’s Department, and sometime later was appointed a High Court Judge. He served in this position with distinction in many parts of the country, from 1978 to 1985. He was then appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and ended up as the President of that Court. In 1989, Rama reached the pinnacle of his judicial career with his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
Amongst his many other appointments and achievements were as Governor of the Western Province, Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University and Chairman of the Human Rights Commission. Rama took in his stride all these accomplishments and achievements which fell on his broad shoulders.
Being the scion of a distinguished family, such accomplishments came easily to him. He was the great grandson of Sir Ponnamabalam Ramanathan, the first elected member of the Ceylon Legislative Council, who previously served as the Solicitor General, and was one of the first Ceylonese to take silk (become a Queen’s (or King’s) Counsel). Rama was the Trustee of the Sir Ponnambalam Vaneeswara Temple situated at Kochchikade, Kotahena, popularly known as the “Sivan” Temple, which is possibly the largest Hindu temple in Colombo. Rama’s great grand uncle was Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, the founder of the Ceylon National Congress. A relative of an earlier era was Sir Mutu Coomaraswamy, the first Hindu Barrister and a well-known personality in London society at the time. The great scholar, Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy was the son of Sir Mutu Coomaraswamy.
Rama, most deservedly was honoured with the title of Deshamanya, conferred upon him by then President, Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunge.
Much later, I was deeply saddened when a mutual friend telephoned me to say that Rama had passed away. His last wish to his wife was that Frank Sinatra’s music, “My Way” be played at his funeral. Tears came to my eyes on that occasion, as I felt that this delightful piece of music personified Rama’s life all the way.
May the turf rest lightly on this great son of Sri Lanka, and, more importantly, on my true and sincere friend.
Ajit Jayaratne
