A tribute to Ranil Abeynaike by Mevan Pieris

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Published on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 16:15

Written by Mevan Pieris

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I am grieved. Ranil was a fine Thomian sportsman who excelled as a cricketer. He was a very good left arm spinner and a useful middle order batsman.

I remember him as an extremely alert young man on the cricket field when he was a Thomian cricketer, as I was helping in the coaching of the team in which he was a member and took a keen interest in him.Thereafter he played in the SSC team during my hay days and was a superb fielder in the gulley position, clinging onto many a difficult catch to my delight.He was also a member of the SSC teams I captained and his untimely departure is a sad loss to me of a team mate.

I recall with nostalgic memory those wonderful moments in the dressing room both during and after matches, where Ranil excelled as a  raconteur with his high pitched laughter keeping everyone's spirits up.Ranil also excelled as a cricket commentator and writer. He had a superb understanding of the game and delivered the commentaries with extreme clarity and meaning.

" I know that the day has come, and thy sight of this world is lost, and life has left in silence, drawing the curtain over thine eyes. Yet stars will watch at night and morning rise as before and hours shall heave like waves of the ocean, casting away pain & pleasure alike". ---- An amended verse of Tagore.

It was my delight to sit next to Ranil & his good wife at Hasi Obeyesekere's home coming reception at Waters Edge held a few weeks ago.It was a great opportunity to stroll down memory lane and talk of old times. I enjoyed the evening immensely.

I take this opportunity to extend to his dear wife and brothers my deepest sympathies. Ranil the great batsman has played his innings and now has returned to the pavilion of his Heavenly Father.

May his soul rest in peace

Mevan Pieris is a former Sri Lankan fast bowler who represented the country in the mid 1970's and is also a renowned local commentator.

The funeral will take place on February 23 at the Mount Lavinia cemetery.The remains will be kept at A.F. Raymond florists from 2.00 pm on that day.The last rites take place at the S. Thomas College chapel, from 4.00 pm, followed by the burial at 5.00 pm

 

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