OBITUARY – BRYAN NEY DHARMARATNE – By Hugh Karunanayake
Bryan Ney Dharmaratne, an illustrious son of Sri Lanka, passed away as quietly as he lived for most of his 92 years. He passed away in a nursing home in Sydney on 31 August 2024..
A sportsman with an outstanding school record in both cricket, and rugby in Sri Lanka, ,Bryan resided in Baulkham Hills, Sydney for over 50 years, and subsequently moved to a retirement home together with his wife Jean;
A rare, fifth generation old Royalist, Bryan epitomised the words of the Royal College anthem “School where our fathers learnt their way before us”. The recorded line of descent of his family has Ven Dharmarama Therrunnanse as its 19 th century progenitor. In 1818, Ven Dharmarama accompanied the outgoing Chief Justice of Ceylon Sir Alexander Johnstone, to England together with another Buddhist monk Ven Siri Gona Muni Ratne. Both monks converted to Christianity during their stay in England. Ven Dharmaratne was baptised as Alexander Dharmaratne. Alexander Dharmaratne continued his education at the Colombo Academy, where his eight sons too received their education. One of the sons George Alexander Dharmaratne, was a Barrister at law and one of the first Sinhalese to be admitted as a Barrister. George Alexander’s son named Ney Alexander, also educated at Royal College was a Proctor in Chilaw. Ney’s son Hildan also educated at Royal college, played cricket and soccer for the school. Among his team mates in the school cricket team was JR Jayewardene, former President of Sri Lanka. Hildan kept wickets for the school First Eleven, as did his son Bryan many years later. Hildan and his son Bryan are the only father and son combination to keep wickets for Royal, and indeed is a record. Bryan in addition was in the third successive generation to play cricket for Royal College.
Bryan was also a rugby player for Royal, and was a key member of the Invincibles team of 1951 a photo of which is seen below.
(Members of the 1951 “ Invincibles” Royal College Rugby team” Standing from left SP Wickremesinghe, Norman Gunewardene, C Balachandran, GC Wickremesinghe,Alan Henricus, SD Gunerane, TLK Mendis, MA Rahiman. Seated W Molegoda (coach) Trevor Anghie, Humphrey Wijeyesighe, JCA Corea {Principal)Devaka Rodrigo, Brian Van Twest, MT Thambapillai(Master I Charge) On ground: Bryan Dharmaratne, the Bradby Shield, Lalith Hewavitarne.
With an excellent sporting record at school, Bryan was an automatic choice for any of the cadetships on offer for appointment to the fledgling armed services of post World War Ceylon. He was among the four selected from the “invincibles “ rugby team of Royal College to be trained as Cadets at Dartmouth prior to enlistment as officers in the Royal Ceylon Navy.
On leaving the Navy, Bryan worked as an Executive in Mercantile service in Colombo, and then migrated to Australia where the family settled down in Baulkham Hills.
Bryan was three years my senior at school, so apart from seeing him playing cricket at the Royal Thomian, and at Bradby Shield rugby matches I did not know him personally until I migrated to Australia.
It was at the home of our mutual friend Alan Henricus that my late wife Tulsi and I met Bryan and his wife Jean, almost 40 years ago. Our friendship grew over the years, bonded by many sharing of meals at various homes and restaurants. The Dharmaratnes were gracious hosts with a well stocked bar housing a range of the best that Scotland could offer. Around 8 years ago Bryan and Jean moved to the Anglican Retirement village in Castle Hill
Bryan was an honourable family man,who lived a quiet and genteel life. He loved company and his game of bridge. He is survived by his dear wife Jean, daughters Jennifer, Jaqueline, and Colleen, and son Nigel and five grandchildren. His brother Fritz having pre deceased him, two brothers Cecil and Mike survive him.
REST IN PEACE BRYAN.
– HUGH KARUNANAYAKE –
