11 June 2022 01:22 am Views - 661
She was an activist to her fingertips as she could not bear the sight of the poor and the underprivileged being bullied and victimised
The 2nd of June marked the first death anniversary of Ranjini Tillekeratne. My most distinctive memory of her is – Aunty Ranjini perched inside a tuk tuk and supervising the distribution of food to street animals. A labour of love which she unfailingly undertook until her 80th birthday when her daughter Visakha put her food down and said “mother, enough now”. Of course this indomitable lady took umbrage at her daughter’s dictum, but was forced to comply; however her animal welfare activities continued with her supervising the preparation of food, the marketing of same and of course she would rigorously question her staff as to whether the food had been distributed at the correct points and of course consumed by the dogs it was meant for.
This amazing and charitable lady- who had a heart of gold- was born in Colombo, but lived as a child in Kandy. She returned to live in Colombo, her mother’s home town, while her schooling took place at Trinity College Kandy – the baby class, Girl’s High School Kandy and Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya.
She had an innate love for animals and though she first had pedigrees as a child due to the fact that her uncle bred them, soon her love for animals encompassed all creatures great and small, regardless of their lineage.
She worked briefly for the Anti VD campaign at the Ministry of Health, met her future husband on her way to work, fell in love, married and went to Russia within three months. This was because her husband was attached to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow. This turned out to be the ideal destination as apart from animals, ballet was her passion, and she would spend all her free time at ballet. Her only child Visakha was born in Russia. While in Russia she brought up a Black Russian Hound that belonged to Karen Breckenridge, a colleague of her husband’s.
Her daughter Visakha is more than a chip off the old block and carries on her mothers work tirelessly, whilst carrying on her professional duties as well. In remembrance of her mother, Visakha is currently building a house for a poor family and I am sure Aunty Ranjini is looking on, applauding her work and that of all those who fight for the underprivileged and the marginalised
On her return to Sri Lanka she started rearing Community cats and then dogs and very soon her home was a haven for them.
She worked tirelessly to uplift the plight of the poor and needy and the underprivileged of Kirulaponne where she lived, who will never forget her generosity and untiring efforts to ease their plight. She was an activist to her fingertips as she could not bear the sight of the poor and the underprivileged being bullied and victimised and would stand up for them right to the end of her days.
Aunty Ranjini was a true role model, a lady to her fingertips, who always stood for what was right and just. Class and creed were not in her vocabulary and she embraced everyone who met her high standards.
If at any time I feel I am too tired, or it’s just too hot to continue with my animal welfare work, or the rains are making things just impossible, I think of Aunty Ranjini and literally squirm. If she could do it till the age of 80, and that too she was made to curtail her activities, it was not something she did voluntarily, why can’t I ?
Her daughter Visakha is more than a chip off the old block and carries on her mothers work tirelessly, whilst carrying on her professional duties as well. In remembrance of her mother, Visakha is currently building a house for a poor family and I am sure Aunty Ranjini is looking on, applauding her work and that of all those who fight for the underprivileged and the marginalised.
I for one will always miss her and our chats and the inspiration she provided me with, while she will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew her as a true role model for all generations!