Terrence proved in full measure Derryk Aluvihare’s dictum that a Trinity education is what a Trinitian gets when he is not attending class. Derryk was referring to the broad-based, character-building and all-round excellence that Trinity imparts.

Terrence Ranasinghe took with him to the wider stage beyond school an unblemished character and encompassing versatility which, apart from his daily routine, took him and his wife, Malini, to the Guiness Book of Records for having acted in the same roles in over 5,000 appearances over a period of 31 years.

Terrence was the Pothey Gura and Malini was Suppa Devi, the Enchantress and it is a marvel that Malini defied the theory of impermanence of things by remaining bewitching of face and frame for over three decades.

Terrence strode the world like he strode the stage and went away in full regalia of pomp and glory. No tribute to Terrence is adequate without reference to his wife, Malini who had been with him under Prof. Sarathchandra in Peradeniya University’s DramSoc of which Terrence was the Secretary.

When SINHABAHU was to be staged, the hunt was on for a girl to fill the main role of Suppa Devi and Malini de Silva, a fresher from Kandy’s Girl High School who was vested with all requisites of face, frame and voice was selected after an audition in which she sang a Rukmani Devi ballad, bringing the audience to tears.

Terrence and Malini were married just one year after graduation when he was a teacher at Maldeniya MV before he became the Vice-Principal of Pilimatalauwe MV.

Terrence died like he lived: he just threw the key and walked away, knowing there’s a key he would find for a better kingdom.

Sharm de Alwis
Source: The Island- 2008-04-21