Police officer Ranjan Jayatilaka could have spent his retirement singing to his heart’s content but his hidden potential as an athlete has come to the fore as he engages in his newest passion. He has confounded even ‘Masters’ as veterans in any sport, bagging 25 medals within a span of just one and half years. In fact, he proudly claims to be the first singer to represent Sri Lanka in the World Masters Athletics Championship.
Since the age of four he has been acclaimed for his singing talents performing in school competitions, musical shows and even recording a duet as a playback singer for a Sinhala film. After serving more than three decades in the Police crimes division retiring as an Inspector, Jayatilaka would never have dreamed in his wildest imagination that he would be running to bring glory to the nation against world class professional athletes.
Menikpurage Don Ranjan Jayatilaka always showed an inclination to do sports as a student of St. Joseph’s College, Gampola. The third in a family of six from Keerapane village in Gampola, Jayatilaka was no slouch when it came to athletics competing in all track events from 100 metres to 1,500m even at school. He also played football as a right extreme, being vice-captain of the school team. He was also a popular all-round cricketer, going onto captain St. Joseph’s First XI team. He also played 7-a-side rugby after joining the Police in 1968.
He continued his favourite pastime as a singer when he was in the Police with sports taking a backseat. However, his sporting ambitions were reignited when he moved to Mattegoda where he became part of the Lakeside Jogging Path Society a few years ago.
“When I was practicing, a lady, Durga Hopeman, who was much more experienced than me, invited me to join Masters Athletics Sri Lanka. I must thank her because it was she who encouraged me in 2018. I used to go to the Mahinda Rajapaksa ground in Diyagama where Army instructors helped me to get fit and gave me exercises to continue in competitions,” said 75-year-old Jayatilaka who came second in the 800m on his debut in a Sri Lanka Masters meet.
“I became a permanent member of Masters Athletics Sri Lanka. I learned from the techniques of experienced athletes. They became my friends and helped me,” said Jayatilaka who went on to win competitions in Gampaha and Bandaragama where he was adjudged Best Athlete.
He represented Sri Lanka at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championship in Malaga, Spain in the 800m and 1,500m. “I gained good experience competing against professional runners,” said Jayatilaka.
Representing Sri Lanka Singers Association, he blazed to glory at the 6th Masters Athletics Sri Lanka Open Championship 2019 held at the Sugathadasa Stadium setting three new meet records in the 400m (1:26.9), 800m (3:25.0) and 1,500m (7:06.9) events. He also stamped his class on the international arena being placed among the ‘Super Eight’ in the 800m and 1,500m events at the 2019 Asian Masters Athletic Championship at Kuching, Malaysia.
“I will continue running in competitions till I am fit,” said Jayatilaka who is eagerly waiting for international Masters competitions to resume.