Louis Benedict He had a passion for the written word

More than 40 years into journalism, Louis was unassuming, humble and always with a smile on his face 

By Russel Casie Chetty

“Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime and departing leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time,” – A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Louis was a school mate of mine. We were both educated at St. Benedict’s College in Kotahena. A year younger than me, Louis celebrated his 77th birthday on April 9. It was towards the end of 2001 that he invited me to join the Daily Mirror as a sub editor (he was the DM deputy editor at the time). 

Although I had a command of the English language, I knew little or nothing about the art and craft of copy editing. Louis took me under his wing and taught me the alphabet of sub-editing, which he described as something similar to taking a rough or unpolished stone or story and turning it into a gem. 

After more than a couple of years of being tutored by him one-on-one, one frustrated sub-editor (me) told him: ‘Louis I have still not grasped what you have taken so much trouble to teach me. He replied: “don’t you worry, Russell.  you will get there in five more years. Ten years was how long it took me to be a fully-fledged sub-editor. 

Once I grasped the meaning of what he said, all what he taught  stood me in good stead. Louis has always told me he was keen to pass on his knowledge to aspiring copy editors and writers. Sadly, though,  there were no takers. He made it clear to me that if journalism was to fulfil its purpose, then journalists should be the voice of the voiceless, the down trodden for whom life is a daily struggle to survive.

More than 40 years into journalism, Louis was unassuming, humble and always with a smile on his face. He abhorred false values of selfishness and self-centeredness. Despite having lost his vision in both eyes, he functioned as the President of the People’s Movement for the Rights of Patients (PMRP), and worked tirelessly to convince importers and distributors of the need to implement a system whereby paints could be provided with good quality medicinal drugs at affordable prices.

I also record my appreciation to Marie, his dear dutiful spouse, whom Louis met after he joined the Catholic Charismatic Movement Introduced to Sri Lanka by Rev. Fr. Oscar Abeyratne. They lived out the marriage vows both in word and in spirit, ‘in good times and in bad, and in sickness and in health’ until death finally parted them on April 22, 2025. He was a great exponent of conscientious and ethical journalism whether it be news reporting, news writing or copy-editing. 

Louis believed that if a person stops learning, he or she is metaphorically dead and encouraged young journalists to read as many books as possible especially those by James Hadley Chase.  The headlines he appended on news copies were a lesson on word play and his punning and the subtle turn of phrase was a delight to read. He was an expert on editing edit news copies submitted by Court reporters so that the reader would obtain a clear-cut knowledge of Court proceedings.

Adios amigo. May your soul rest in the Peace of Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. I was privileged to have known you and to have counted you as my friend and mentor. Until we meet again Louis, as we surely will, on that beautiful shore.

Your buddy Russell.