Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

An animal lover and charitable lady

Ranjini Tillekeratne

11 June 2022 01:22 am - 0     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

She was an activist to her fingertips as she could not bear the sight of the poor and the underprivileged being bullied and victimised

 

The 2nd of June marked the first death anniversary of Ranjini Tillekeratne. My most distinctive memory of her is – Aunty Ranjini perched inside a tuk tuk and supervising the distribution of food to street animals.  A labour of love which she unfailingly undertook until her 80th birthday when her daughter Visakha put her food down and said “mother, enough now”. Of course this indomitable lady took umbrage at her daughter’s dictum, but was forced to comply; however her animal welfare activities continued with her supervising the preparation of food, the marketing of same and of course she would rigorously question her staff as to whether the food had been distributed at the correct points and of course consumed by the dogs it was meant for. 


Many a long chat have I had with her where we would grumble to each other as to how uncaring and unfeeling people were towards their treatment of animals, the pilfering of goods by the security guards in charge of certain construction sites – unfailingly this was done by those who genuinely cared for the animals living in their sites, only to be replaced by non animal lovers, the cost of salayas and chicken and her worry as to what would become of all the street animals she fed when she was no more. 


This amazing and charitable lady- who had a heart of gold- was born in Colombo, but lived as a child in Kandy. She returned to live in Colombo, her mother’s home town, while her schooling took place at Trinity College Kandy – the baby class, Girl’s High School Kandy and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya.


She had an innate love for animals and though she first had pedigrees as a child due to the fact that her uncle bred them, soon her love for animals encompassed all creatures great and small, regardless of their lineage. 


She worked briefly for the Anti VD campaign at the Ministry of Health, met her future husband on her way to work, fell in love, married and went to Russia within three months. This was because her husband was attached to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow. This turned out to be the ideal destination as apart from animals, ballet was her passion, and she would spend all her free time at ballet. Her only child Visakha was born in Russia. While in Russia she brought up a Black Russian Hound that belonged to Karen Breckenridge, a colleague of her husband’s. 

Her daughter Visakha is more than a chip off the old block and carries on her mothers work tirelessly, whilst carrying on her professional duties as well. In remembrance of her mother, Visakha is currently building a house for a poor family and I am sure Aunty Ranjini is looking on, applauding her work and that of all those who fight for the underprivileged and the marginalised


On her return to Sri Lanka she started rearing Community cats and then dogs and very soon her home was a haven for them.


She worked tirelessly to uplift the plight of the poor and needy and the underprivileged of Kirulaponne where she lived, who will never forget her generosity and untiring efforts to ease their plight. She was an activist to her fingertips as she could not bear the sight of the poor and the underprivileged being bullied and victimised and would stand up for them right to the end of her days.


Aunty Ranjini was a true role model, a lady to her fingertips, who always stood for what was right and just. Class and creed were not in her vocabulary and she embraced everyone who met her high standards.


If at any time I feel I am too tired, or it’s just too hot to continue with my animal welfare work, or the rains are making things just impossible, I think of Aunty Ranjini and literally squirm. If she could do it till the age of 80, and that too she was made to curtail her activities, it was not something she did voluntarily, why can’t I ?


 Her daughter Visakha is more than a chip off the old block and carries on her mothers work tirelessly, whilst carrying on her professional duties as well. In remembrance of her mother, Visakha is currently building a house for a poor family and I am sure Aunty Ranjini is looking on, applauding her work and that of all those who fight for the underprivileged and the marginalised.


I for one will always miss her and our chats and the inspiration she provided me with, while she will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew her as a true role model for all generations! 


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 0

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H