Appreciations:

Ajith Samaranayake

I join the journalistic fraternity in Sri Lanka to mourn the sudden passing away of a writer par excellence Ajith Samaranayake at a relatively young age.

His humble nature endeared himself to everyone just as the many exalted positions he held during his career never lifted off him feet.

Yet his was no ordinary by-line. His thought-provoking essays resonated across the corridors of power and countryside.

He was an inspiration to a new generation of journalists like me not only because of his brilliant skills but his down to earth nature. He strode like a colossus, but never lost the common touch even with his colleagues.

Although I was in awe of him when I had just joined The Island in the mid 80s, he put me at ease when we met on quite a few occasions to walk to office situated at Bloemendhal Road from Kotahena junction after getting down from the same bus.

I could not imagine someone holding such high office doing that almost as a daily routine. Not for him the luxuries of office.

In fact my most endearing memory of Ajith still is rattling away some article at a typewriter with his left index finger while twirling his beard seated not in a cubicle but wherever he found this old contraption as his ideas flowed.

He epitomised the true spirit of journalism and commanded respect for wielding the pen like a sword without malicious intent but to bring home the truth to the people whose pulse he really felt.

A man of principles, his brilliant journals on diverse topics as art, politics or even sports was a candid reflection of his multi-faceted personality.

I consider myself privileged to have been associated with a man of his stature and intellect. His untimely demise has no doubt left a gaping vacuum in the Fourth Estate.

Unfortunately I lost contact with him after he joined the Sunday Observer as Editor and a couple of years later when I sought greener pastures abroad.

But I still recall his words of wisdom when we were in high spirits at a familiar watering hole. "Never comment on another person's eating or drinking habits."

This was not an earth shattering quotation but a simple fact of life which he instilled in me.

May he find eternal peace

- ALLAAM OUSMAN - BAHRAIN

Many appreciations were written regarding this illustrations, fearless, outstanding journalist whose calibre is very rare among journalists in Sri Lanka.

Ajith Samaranayake can be compared to very outstanding journalists of yesteryear Viz Denzil Peiries, Tarzie Vittachchi, Mervin Silva to name a few.

It was a great shock to hear the demise of evergreen journalist Ajith Samaranayake at a comparatively very young age who was at his zenith at the Lake House Group of Newspapers.

He hails from a very outstanding Family in the Kandy District. He was educated in Trinity College, Kandy and excelled in studies particularly languages and literature, English, Sinhala, History, Political Science and Sports. He has a knack for writing articles to newspapers and was the editor of the college magazine.

Ajith Samaranayake joined the Lake House Group of Newspapers as a cub reporter and subsequently became a Parliamentary reporter and superb lobby correspondent as his language and presentation was impeccable.

He later became the Editor of the Ceylon Evening Observer. When late Upali Wijewardene established the Island Group of Newspapers, he was invited to join the Island. He joined The Island and rendered a great service to journalism.

Ajith Samaranayake was a Gentleman with sterling qualities who couldn't be bought over by anyone. He was a great writer of appreciations. Our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Mano and relations. May he be born among us till he achieves Nibbana in his Journey in Sansara.

- Capt (Rtd) - L. B. LANKA JAYARATNE

The little boy who went to famed
Hailed from the salubrious climes of Kandy
As a cub reporter launched his maiden career
Soon caught the attention of many a reader.

As a fine lobby correspondent he excelled
While his unique style and stature propelled
On the horizon a star was shining bright
With lavish contributions reaching a great height

On varied subjects displayed his versatility
Wrote with objectivity, clarity and sincerity
An ornament in the profession of journalism
Fighter of human rights, democracy and communalism.

The Sunday Observer and Sunday Island portrayed brilliance
In his vocation rose he to prominence and eminence
Wrote he with style, sans enmity, bitterness and rancour
Never stooped to powers-that-be, nor to filthy lucre.

We've savoured the delights, his contributions so rich
Reading these gems made us our knowledge to enrich
Sunday Essays, appreciations personal profiles - hallmarks
Which become extinguished when a person like Ajith departs

Quite at home in English and Sinhala writing
Had a treasure trove of knowledge by voracious reading
Editor of Friday at the tail end of his precious life
Simple, humble human being without animosity and strife.

Make his mark as an accomplished and elegant writer
Adorned the profession as a fine and redoubtable Editor
Reached the pinnacle as the Editor-in-Chief
Alas! He's gone; his life was unfortunately brief.

We're the poorer by the exit of Ajith Samaranayake
Indeed was he, amongst the journalists, a Maha Nayaka
We wish that he may crass the ocean of Samsara
In order to attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
- M.A. DAWOOD