Ex-cager star R.E.C.Ranjan dies

Former Police basketball captain and the Assistant Secretary of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation Superintendent of Police R. E. C. Ranjan died yesterday after a brief illness.

Forty-nine-year old Ranjan played basketball for St. Patrick's College, Jaffna before joining the Police in 1979. He played for Police as a centre and played a key role in their success.

He captained Police in 1984 and 1985 and under his guidance the policemen clinched several trophies including the Exter Shield, Victor Wijeyeratnam Trophy and Depot Cup.

The 1980s can be considered the Golden Era of Police basketball with players of the calibre of Rohan Guneratne, Hafeel Marso, Palitha Siriwardena and R. E. C. Ranjan bringing honour and fame to the Police with outstanding performances.

Ranjan was the Secretary of the Police Basketball Club since 1994 and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation in 1999 and 2000.

His funeral will take place today at the General Cemetery, Borella (R. C. Section) at 4 p.m. with the cortege leaving Jayaratne Funeral Parlour at 3.30 p.m.

The Sri Lanka Basketball Federation requests its members and former basketball players to be present at the main gate of the cemetery at 3.30 p.m. to pay their last respects.