Like many I was impressed with his valedictories and was not surprised Reggie Siriwardena named him Prince of Obituaries and, in fact, wished Ajith would write his – which somehow came through. Ajith struck you both by his pleasant personality, his courtesy to all and his total simplicity.

Since sycophancy and undue ambition were not part of his repertoire the heights that were due to him in the journalistic world of the land were denied to him. But he cared less. Winston Churchill was known to take different types of liquor at different times of the day and night in the fullsome and fortunate social life he was privy to. Yet Churchill counselled others “Take the drink – don’t let the drink take you” Had Ajith paid heed to Churchill’s adage the local world of quality English journalism, a rapidly diminishing factor, would remain richer, his family happier and all of us, casual and firm friends, would still enjoy his company, his gentle manner of speech and the richness that flowed freely from his talented writing.