A GENTLEMAN OF TRINITY DEPARTS

His major interest after retirement was taking part in all the activities of the Colombo Branch of the Trinity OBA

Trinity bemoans the loss of yet another loyal son with the passing away of a doyen of the Colombo OBA committee, Jim Bandaranayake. Having completed his entire education at Trinity where he represented the school in the First Eleven Cricket Team in 1946 & 47, he joined the Police Department as a probationary Sub-Inspector in 1948.  Possibly he was inspired to join the Force by another legendary Trinitian, Sir Richard Aluvihare, Sri Lanka’s first IGP after Independence heading the Police force at that time and who had set a very high bar. Indeed at that time to be a member of the Police force was a great honour and a privilege.

Right throughout his Police career Jim established a very high standard of dedication to his duty. He was a staunch disciplinarian and yet he was an ‘Officer and a Gentleman’ in the truest sense of the word. He rose steadily through the ranks and served the Police force in most parts of the country such as Kandy, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Colombo Police Headquarters, and wherever he served he maintained high levels of discipline and service. When he was the ASP in Tangalle in 1971 a lorry driver drove straight to his office and in a state of shock informed him that he had witnessed some policemen being shot in Moneragala - which was in fact the beginning of the 1971 insurrection.  It was Jim who informed Colombo Headquarters that immediate action be taken to deal with the insurgents. He retired in 1987 as a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police. After retirement he served for a while in the private sector as Director of a firm of Security Services. He was also an active member of the Retired Senior Police Officers’ Association and served as its President from 1991-93.

He retired in 1987 as a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police. After retirement he served for a while in the private sector as Director of a firm of Security Services. He was also an active member of the Retired Senior Police Officers’ Association and served as its President from 1991-93

However his major interest after retirement was taking part in all the activities of the Colombo Branch of the Trinity OBA.  He served as the President of the Association from 1993-95 and served on the Board of Governors of the school during that period.  At the time of his death he was a Vice Patron of the Association.   It was a distinct feature of his participation that he never failed to attend a single meeting of the Committee of the OBA.  In fact at the last physical meeting before the COVID lockdown, which was held at my residence, although in failing health he attended the meeting, and I remember him coming in supporting himself by holding on to the shoulders of another committee member. That was the hallmark of the loyalty of Jim to the work of the Association. 

 Above all, to Jim his family was what mattered most of all. He was married to the late Sita (nee Aturupane) in 1953 and they had two children, Hiranthi and Rajinder.  There was nothing better he wanted to do but to regularly entertain his family, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews at home with a sing-song thrown in!  I remember he and his late wife Sita being great dancers and they were present at all the OBA Dances – and their dancing skills were much admired! A wonderfully handsome couple dancing away the hours!!

 Truly Trinity and the OBA have lost a staunch and stalwart son.  To me he was the quintessential gentleman imbued with all the great values learnt at the best school of all.  Jim, may your soul rest in peace.
 SRIYANTHA SENARATNA – (For and on behalf of the TCK – OBA – Colombo Branch)