An SLAF Legend Air Vice-Marshal Ravi Arunthavanathan fades away gracefully

Air Vice-MarshalRavi Arunthavanathan

Sri Lanka Air Force in its flamboyant history of over 70 years has produced many legendary officers of the highest calibre and honour. Counted among these legends, Air Vice-Marshal Ravi Arunthavanathan was an unequivocally outstanding in every sense. His name will surely go down in the annals of SLAF as an officer and a gentleman who carved a permanent niche in antiquity. We first encountered this legendary figure when he visited his alma mater Richmond College, Galle on an SLAF recruitment drive in 1981. Then, we were just pupils in the college.

A plethora of students who were captivated by his charms and grandeur as an impeccably smart and handsome officer in uniform, were motivated to join SLAF upon completing their secondary education to serve the motherland. The two of us are just two examples of those who followed through.

At school, he was a sportsman par excellence. He excelled in Cricket, Soccer, and Badminton in particular. His heroics are still remembered in how he anchored a mammoth inning with Prasad Kariyawasam (Former Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Permanent Representative to the UN, Envoy to the US and India) who scored an epoch-making 158 for Richmond. He skilfully kept wickets for the college in the first XI team for some years with distinction.

His career in the SLAF had been outstanding and second to none. He had the rare privilege of serving as the Aid de Camp to three Air Force Commanders. This is a great feat that still remains phenomenal and unbroken. In addition, he held some important appointments in the SLAF including the Commanding Officer, Diyatalawa Training Camp, SLAF Unit, Batticaloa, and Director-Administration. He culminated his career being the Deputy Chief of Staff before his retirement after an illustrious career. He also served a period as an Additional Secretary of the Defence Ministry at the tail end of his career. He continued to serve as a sports administrator in many spheres. He was once the secretary of the Air Force Sports Council.

His prowess as a sports administrator was well acknowledged when he was appointed the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Under-19 World Cup tournament held in Sri Lanka under the auspices of Sri Lanka Cricket. He was also the President of the prestigious Galle CC who rendered yeomen service to the club during his tenure. He also reciprocated his gesture to his alma mater, serving a long stint as the President of Richmond College Old Boys Association (Colombo Branch). It is also worthy of note that he was also the live wire of the Steering Committee of the Colombo Association’s centenary celebrations a few years back.

Air Vice-Marshal Ravi Arunthavanathan was a thorough gentleman on and off the field. He was endowed with numerous awards for gallantry, & valour in battle. His demise is a great loss to the fraternities associated with him.

In our final notes, it should be said that although he bore a Tamil name, he was a devoted Buddhist who followed the philosophy to the last letter.

He was once instrumental in constructing a shrine room at SLAF Unit, Batticaloa for which he donated a Buddha statue from his own funds. Today, this legendary officer is no more but the memories of him will surely linger in our minds till the end of time because he left such a legacy.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana?

– Wg. Cdr (Retd) Sunil Maddumage and Sqdn. Ldr (Retd) Lasitha Mendis(Old Boys Association of Richmond)