Dr. Rajasingham Narendran, one of our columnists and an active commentator in Colombo Telegraph comments section has passed away peacefully on 2nd September 2017 in Colombo.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran was a Veterinarian who holds a Ph.D from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada in Applied Physiology and Endocrinology. Has served as an Assistant Lecturer and Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya, Research Associate at the University of Guelph and Associate Professor at the King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, he has served for many years as a Senior Executive in the food industry in Saudi Arabia.
He is a son of Late Canagaratnam Rajasingham and Late Florence Ariamalar,
Beloved Husband of Vasanthi (Sri Lanka),
Loving Father of Balamurali (USA), Hari Muhunthan (Canada), Jegan Mayan (Sri Lanka), Mithila (Sri Lanka),
Loving Father-in-Law of Late Michele, Kim (Canada), Monika (Sri Lanka),
Devoted Grandfather of Makai (Canada), Kailan (Canada),
Loving Brother of Easamanohari (Canada), Late Manoharan, Selvi (UK), Neela (India), Jayadevan (UK) and Gowri (UK).
Remains lie at his home and cottage leaves at 3 pm Monday for cremation. Address: 66/20, Fortune Terrace, Kalalgoda road, Battaramulla.
naren / September 4, 2017
Although I had difference of opinion on certain topics ,I always enjoyed reading Dr.Narendran’s comments. We certainly will miss him . My deepest sympathies go to his family.
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SJ / September 4, 2017
I never knew him personally.
His were was among the more civilized comments on these pages.
Many of us will miss him.
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Bensen Berner / September 4, 2017
His premature death is a great loss to the intellectual community despite the differences in thinking. May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to the the members of his family feeling the loss. Bensen
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Plato. / September 4, 2017
I knew Naren, as we called him in our salad days at Peradeniya. A sensitive and decent soul. One could see this on the forthright comments he made on CT. Naren, I believe was appealing to the good sense of the different communities to build a more tolerant Srilanka. My deep sympathies to his family.
Well did Donne write….
Any mans death diminishes me,because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee…….
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Native Vedda / September 7, 2017
Plato
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Dr. Rajasingham Narendran was an eternal optimist. I agreed with almost everything he wrote and discussed except two important issues.
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He believed education = wisdom. I completely disagreed with him.
Up until 2013 he also believed in Dr Mahinda Rajapaksa’s willingness and ability to deliver a home grown just solution. I disagreed. However from mid 2013 on wards he began to see the real Rajapaksas and their petty selfish agenda. I was glad.
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During one of those lighter moments I asked him if he had experienced “Kandyan Hospitality”. He categorically denied it.
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How about you?
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thondamannay / September 4, 2017
Great loss for Mother Lanka.
His comments were impartial and civilized.
My condolences to the family and May His Soul Rest In Peace.
Your impartial & balanced comments will be greatly missed.
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Lal Keerthie Fernando / September 5, 2017
Sad…. A gentleman debater and a pronounced idea giver, short and simple. May his soul rest in peace.
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Siri Gamage / September 5, 2017
I am sad to hear about the demise of Dr Rajasingham Narendran as many others are. I have read his comments in CT in the past and found them civil, constructive and non antagonistic. I wish to express my condolences to his family.
Siri Gamage, Australia
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pandaranayagam / September 6, 2017
The many eulogies here from Sinhala readers in the passing away of Dr. R.Narendran is adequate
proof the much looked forward to Sinhala-Tamil coming together is close at hand. This is a goal
towards which Dr. Narendran surely dedicated much of his focus and time in the past few years.
May his dreams come true and benefit this and future generations to walk hand in hand – in peace,
friendship, reconciliation free from conflict.
Pandaranayagam
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Murad / September 6, 2017
He writes good comments on CT, I read his write-ups with interest. Many CT patrons will miss him. My condolences to his family..
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Willie D. Joshua / September 6, 2017
I have never met Dr. Narendran. From his comments on articles regarding groundwater in Jaffna, I could realize his interest in the topic. He requested CT to forward his e-mail address to me so that he could correspond with me to clarify some of his ideas on the subject. The last letter I had from him was written on the 31-8-17 after he returned from Batticaloa. I replied him on 5-8-17 and opened the CT page. Alas! He was no more.
My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family.
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NAK / September 6, 2017
My deepest sympathies. we’ll miss you on CT.
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Spring Koha / September 7, 2017
I am saddened by this news.
Dr Rajasingham Narendran wrote thoughtful, well constructed arguments that were a pleasure to read. I always looked forward to his contributions, much of which carried the validity that came from his personal experiences.
We have lost a good, decent man. His contribution will be missed.
May he rest in eternal peace.
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Mohamed Marzook - UK / September 7, 2017
Dr. Narendran’s contributions in the CT on a wide range of subjects on which he was well knowledgeable and conversant were well balanced, enlightened and also entertaining. He will be really missed. Deepest sympathies to his family and relatives.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / September 7, 2017
The contributions made by Dr.Narendran Rajasingam was great. His untimely death was a great loss. May his Soul rest in peace.
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James / September 7, 2017
I was shocked to hear this sad news. His comments were very moderate and thought provoking. Going to miss him on CT very badly. Rest in peace Dr. Narendran.
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Dr.Nadarajah Jeyakumaran. / September 7, 2017
Really a loss to the Nation. Dr.Krishnanandasivam, introduced him to me. I have visited his Navalkuli home with Dr.Arivalagan of Jaffna University. On that day itself I found him as a Treasure to our Nation. Heard he has embarked many projects in the East for the unfortunate people who really in need of help. It’s really an untimely event. May his Sole rest in peace. Deepest sympathies to his family members.
Yours sincerely…
Dr.Nadarajah Jeyakumaran.
NCI, Maharagama
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Rajan Hoole / September 8, 2017
The following may interest the readers
Rajasingam Narendran
http://www.island.lk/2005/03/28/features2.html
Born 1946, probably two years my senior at Peradeniya. I am probably wrong in saying that I never met him. I had good friends in Agriculture in my parallel years (entered October 1967). Among them are Dodo Thambapillai and Swarnapali Perera who would have been taught by Narendran.
Plato above probably belongs to the same vintage
Probably went to do his PhD in Canada in 1971
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R. Varathan / September 9, 2017
Thanks to Dr. Rajan Hoole, we enjoy the benefit of learning more
about Dr. Narendran from the latter’s article years ago in the Asian Tribune. It is such a pity we lost this fine gentleman Lankan at
a time when what appears to be genuine moves at reconciliation
are in the drawing board. Doubtless, Dr. Narendran is in the Gandhian-Tutu-Aung Sang Suu Kyii mould of forgiving.
He makes all Sri Lankans proud.
R. Varathan
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Sinhala_Man / September 9, 2017
It’s only now that I realise that he was not much older than us. I had earlier posted a comment saying that we can take satisfaction from knowing that he had spent a long and full life with us.
In terms of lifespans a century ago, we’ve all lived our full lives. People live much longer now, so his departure now is indeed a loss. On the other hand, he was noticeably less active during the last six months, perhaps because his health had deteriorated. However, his comments were always as balanced as ever.
There are something like 14 articles by Narendran in English on CT itself, and he’s got two translated in to Sinhala, like this one:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/rajasingham-narendran-june-30-2014/
And one by his brother, murdered by the LTTE as the Island article provided by Dr Rajan Hoole states.
It is amazing that these people remained human despite all these sufferings. His departure now is a loss, but let us rejoice that he remained unembittered.
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Kumar / September 8, 2017
I have had several exchanges with Dr. Narendran on CT and other forums, sometimes agreed with his opinion and other times disagreed. He was a great intellectual and very moderate. We are going to miss him badly on CT, specially his civilized comments. Deepest sympathies to his family and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.
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Plato. / September 9, 2017
Thanks my friend Rajan- A RESTLESS SOUL!
….The Sinhala political establishment was the father,mother,midwife and the cradle of the Tamil Militancy…. .
Naren,was always a forthright person!
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The Professional / September 10, 2017
I am a post 1956 product of our education system. I learned the art of commenting in the public domain by reading comments in CT. There were many styles. Some were obnoxious. It was a pleasure to read comments of Dr. Narendran because he never resorted to attack the other person with dirty remarks. He always focused on the issue. A great loss to Mother Lanka.
May his upward path be straight and smooth.
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