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About Ranjan|End of an Era but the Legend Continues.
THE TRAGIC LOSS OF A BRAVE GENERAL
In June 1990, when the North-East question became serious, I had the opportunity to work very closely with the late General Ranjan Wijeratne. I accompanied him on his numerous visits to the military camps in this region. Whenever he came across problems pertaining to the private soldier or the highest ranking officer, he always found a satisfactory solution for all concerned. He made it a point to meet members of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities and the achievement of securing a unitary state in this regard was foremost in his mind.
The first attacks by the LTTE were at Kalmunai, Kiran, Pottuvil, Muttur and Kiniya. It then spread to the Northern areas of Vauniya and Palaly. Despite the serious problems that arose out of this situation, he still continued to fight for the maintenance of the UNITARY STATE.
In pursuing the cause of unity amongst our people the dastardly assassination of General Wijeratne was a body blow and caused an irreparable loss to the general public and the Armed Forces.
We have lost a brave and patriotic General. It is therefore my fervent hope that he who was so cruelly assassinated will one day be reborn into this world.
Major-General Denzil Kobbekaduwa.
Who was himself killed later by an explosion at Araly Point and was posthumously promoted as Lt-General)
LEST WE FORGET
The tragic loss of a good man, especially one who pays the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country, is oft a seven-day sensation, and, man being what he is, the incident is relegated to the limbo of oblivion with perfunctory despatch. But the demise, sensationally or in sordid circumstances, of a criminal, crook or rapscallion is recalled more often and brought to mind over a longer period of time. Such is the fickleness of human values and in this respect especially Sri Lankans too are no exception. Except in the hearts of those who remember and care, our stalwarts gone to their rest remain unsung after the initial paeans of sorrow and praise. Verily has it been said that 'the good that men do is oft interred with their bones'.
On this the 1 st Anniversary of the death of the late Hon. General Ranjan Wijeratne, let us not forget the man he was and his selfless service to the Nation. He left an indelible mark on a chapter of Sri Lanka's history when many another would have quailed before the parade of situations that confronted the Nation.
Politics, they say, is the last refuge of scoundrels. Thankfully, not all politicians are scoundrels but many of them have biases which affect their acting rationally or equitably and make them unacceptable to various sections of the populace. It is therefore a rarity when a politician emerges at whom no one can point a finger of accusation either in regard to his public life or private conduct. The late Hon. Ranjan Wijeratne was one of those few. Some said that he was brusque and at times irascible, but these were the natural manifestations of the burden of his functions and not eruptions of personal malice, Absolute integrity, fairness, morality and honesty of purpose dominated all his actions in his short but impressive career as a public figure in national politics.
He had many visions for the future of this country and not the least of them was his determination to rid society of terrorism, the drug menace, vice and attendant corruption, to make this a better and safer place for the coming generation. That he did not live long enough to see the fruition of his vision is our loss and the greatest tribute we can pay his memory is to strengthen the resolve that he initiated to make this country a cleaner place free of corrupting influences and spineless quislings.
DONALD MENDIS
Former Senior Superintendent of'Police
 His appointment as State Minister for Defense.
The anxious concern for his soldiers
All communities trusted him
THE END OF AN ERA..
 A deafening blast and a burning car. An act of ultimate cowardice, conspiracy and treachery.Our motherland is now forced into a slavish appeasement with an uncertain future.We hope for a saviour to be reborn. for indulging in gentlemanly politics, all party leaders pay their respects by accompanying the cortège of the Late General
 A poignant moment when the beloved wife and son of the Late General Ranjan Wijeratne bids a last adieu on behalf of their families and a grieving nation.  With canons booming a final salute, the military slow marches in escorting the remains of it’s fearless and noble General to his final resting place. Weep not for him brave soldiers, But for the land that lost him, The likes of this noble General,
You may never see for a long time The burden that is placed on our shoulders after the tragic event
 Fare Thee well true son of our soil, May you attain the bliss of Nibbana Generations to follow shall bless your name And rightly endeavour to emulate your fame.
 A patriotic son of our soil is laid to rest in the company of former Commanders of the Air Force and the Navy and a senior Army officer along with family members.
May the turf lie gently over him and he eventually attain the supreme bliss of NIBBANA.
 The late Major General “Lucky” Algama who was assassinated later on expresses his condolences to the family of the Late General.
 AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES..Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in the river's flow
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that glisten at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die
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