Birthday appreciation - Benja

Benjamin Ratnayake - Attorney-at-Law, JPUM affectionately called "Benja" was born 76 years ago.He lived upto nearly 72 years, having outrun the Biblical span of three-score and a half years.

He was the second child in a family of twelve children. His father being the late legendary D. A. B. Ratnayake, Crown Proctor and Mayor of Kurunegala, and his mother the late Anne Ratnayake of Kurunegala.

He had five brothers, the late Anton, Aloy, Asoka, Everard and Luke four of whom were lawyers like him and six sisters Iranganie, the late Antoinette, Augusta, Constance, the late Shirani and Angela, four of whom were graduates.

Having concluded his primary education at St. Annes' College, Kurunegala he proceeded to St. Joseph's College, Colombo and to Jaffna College, Vadukottai for his secondary education.

Thereafter, he joined the Ceylon Law College, from where he passed out and was enrolled as a Proctor of the Supreme Court, and commenced practising at the Kurunegala Bar.

From the very beginning, as a young Assigned Counsel at the Kurunegala Assizes, he showed his skill and brilliance as a criminal lawyer. It was the late Justice E. H. T. Gunasekara, the renowned Supreme Court Judge, who whilst acquitting an accused whom Benja defended in a murder case, told the accused:- "Fall at the feet of you, young counsel and worship him, because you are going home a free man today, entirely due to his brilliance."

Benja blossomed forth to be the leading lawyer at the Kurunegala Assizes, and where late, the High Courts were introduced, he was the leading light at the Kurunegala High Court. Justice Justin Abeywardene, when he graced the Kurunegala High Court, where Benja appeared almost daily was so impressed by him, that he said that of he was involved as an accused in a criminal case, it was not any leading counsel from Colombo but rather that it was Benjamin Ratnayake whom he would retain to defend him.

Benja did not confine himself to his practice, and professional work, but with the interest of his fellow beings close to his heart, he gave himself up to social and political work and as a member of the Municipal Council, worked tirelessly for the uplift and welfare, especially of the poor downtrodden of the town, who showed their appreciation and gratitude to him by returning him over and over again as member at the Municipal Election. Although he was offered nominations for a Parliamentary seat in the Kurunegala District, by his great friend the late Felix Dias Bandaranaike, he declared it, probably because he did not want to give up of his practice to become a Minister.

Benja had an endearing personality. Tall, fair and handsome, he carried himself with dignity and aplomb. His personal courage and frankness, his warm concern for others and empathy drew many people to him, for leadership and guidance.

During the communal riots, he boldly took to the streets to prevent thugs and marauders from attacking the Saiva Maha Sabai hostel for Tamil government servants, which was situated opposite his father's house. Cash, jewellery, motorbikes and cars were entrusted to him for safe-keeping by Tamil friends who are fleeing away from attack.

It is nearly five years, since he passed away, and I yet feel his presence, and miss his ready help and support in situations where I would normally have hastened to him. His broad and friendly smile flashes across my memory now and again, and when I pause overwhelmed by the memory of his greatness, I take refuge in these lines from Shakespeare:-

"His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him

That nature might stand up and say to all the world this was a man".

An Admirer