Welithara A. Ranasinghe, prolific writer at 90.

by W. T. A. Leslie Fernando

He is not a recognised scholar or intellectual. Neither is he a graduate nor had he any University education. Like Martin Wickremasinghe and Prof. Senarath Paranavitana, he is a self-made man. A free-lance journalist he is a walking Encyclopedia on the political history in Sri Lanka from the Donouhmore era.

He is none other than Aaron Ranasinghe of Welithara who is better known as Welithara A. Ranasinghe. At 90, although the age has restricted his movements, he is fully mentally alert and his articles adorn almost all the Sinhala national journals in our country.

Welithara A. Ranasinghe was born on February 9, 1918 at Welithara. He is the second son of Nandoris Ranasinghe, the well-known astrologer. He had his education at Devapathiraja Vidyalaya, Welithara and passed the school Leaving Examination at the age of 16. He is the proud holder of the school Leaving Certificate signed by L. Macray himself, the then Director of Education.

Thereafter he attended Suguna Sassanodaya Pirivena at Balapitiya and became well versed in Pali and Sanskrit.It was from Welithara that Amarapura Nikaya originated. It was initiated by Ven. Welithara Gnanawimala Thera, who obtained upasampada from Burma in 1796 finances for the purpose being provided by Mudliyar Dinesh Wijayasiriwardena de Soyza Rajapakse Sahabandu, the great philanthropist of Welithara.

Later it developed into various sects such as Mulawansa, Dharmarakshitha, Kalyanawansa and Udarata Amarapura Nikaya. Now the Amarapura Nikaya is unified under one head.Welithara is also the birthplace of eminent personalities such as Sir Francis de Soyza, H. Sri Nissanka and Sir Lalitha Rajapakse.

Later when the area expanded as the city of Balapitiya, the name Welithara got submerged. Aaron Ranasinghe who is always proud of his birthplace identified himself as Welithara A. Ranasinghe.

After the death of his father and his elder brother Welithara A. Ranasinghe came to Colombo in search of green pastures. He started his career as a seller of fancy goods to the sailors during the World War II. He got the license to reach the ships in Colombo Port by boats.

He learned English, Spanish, Hindi and Korean languages by conversing with the sailors. Welithara A. Ranasinghe began his journalistic career at the age of 12 by writing to ‘Kamala Lama Samajaya’ in the Silumina. Soon he became well-known because of his latent prowess of writing. At the age of 23, he was invited to write columns in journals.

As a young man Welithara A. Ranasinghe became interested in Left politics. His favourite politician was Dr. Colvin R. de Silva whom he hero-worshipped. His knowledge of political history in Sri Lanka is on par with other well-known writers on the subject such as the late Mallalgoda Banduthilaka, S. Piyasena and Nandalal Wakishta.

Ranasinghe has unravelled hitherto unknown facts on the political history in our country. His assistance is sought not only by the budding journalists but even by University lecturers for their research work. When someone presents wrong history on the subject he never hesitates to correct him.

Ranasinghe’s writings are not confide to politics alone. He has written on the lives and time of great Theras, intellectuals, authors, poets and social reforms. Although biographical studies is his forte, he has written on many other subjects as well.

He has always been generous to share his knowledge with others. Recently he donated rare books on astrology he inherited from his father and other valuable Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit books he collected in his lifetime to the National Archives for the benefit of future generations.

Welithara A. Ranasinghe was conferred the Presidential Award ‘Ruhunu Pahan Silu’ recently in recognition of his services to the nation for over 70 years at a ceremony organised by the Ruhunu Kala Kavaya at the Presidential Secretariat.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge)