14/01/2024
Thank you for inspiring us Ranjeewa.
Was an unbelievable shock to find Ranjeewa was no more yesterday. He was my boss over a decade ago, and someone I as well as many professionals in HR in Sri Lanka learned a lot from, looked upto and even emulated from time to time. I worked with him closely, as an employee and colleague and later as a friend and he taught me my ABCs in navigating corporate HR and training management. I am certain I am not the only one, for he taught and mentored so many people.
To date, the HR team he built at Dialog at the time, is unparalleled, and those who were in that team and where they are in their journey in the industry is testament enough for his ability to spot talent as well as nurture it.
I learnt managing people from Ranjeewa. How to inspire people with little details was always something he did so well, as something I try to emulate to this day. He had the ability to remember the details about people, which only added to his charisma as a person to which many gravitated to. Undoubtedly, Ranjeewa could sell water to a fish, and that made him a true force of influence. Although a trainer, a teacher and a businessman Ranjeewa, to me, above it all was a people person. He could make friends with almost anyone, effortlessly, another character in him that we learnt a lot from. In one go his words would inspire you, convince you and potentially set you on a path; a skill he displayed so ably which many people who benefited form his mentoring and training would attest to.
I could go on, as the things I can say about him that struck a chord with me are many. But just like in life, in death he has opened an opportunity for us to remember and learn the most valuable lesson of all; do good to people, and always help whenever you can. This would be the one thing anyone remembers him for. Kind and open hearted.
Rest easy my friend. I will miss your "hey handsome" greetings on my birthdays, a constant for the past 15 years. Thank you for the lessons.
Until we meet again.
