Remembering Ray Forbes (1936-2024)

Several batches of alumni who completed their studies at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies are currently in mourning. They are grieving the passing of Deshabandu Reginald George Bernard Forbes who unexpectedly passed away at the Anuradhapura Hospital on the morning of Sunday 28th January after a brief illness. Within hours of his demise a communiqué released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs broke the news of his passing to Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions across the world. He was laid to rest at the Tissawewa Cemetery in Anuradhapura the following day.

Ray Forbes as he was always known, was born on 8th December 1936 to an erudite and accomplished family who distinguished themselves in many fields. His older brother Rev. Fr. Dalston Forbes was a respected philosopher, theologian and Councillor of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Rome. The Forbes brothers were educated at St Peter’s College Colombo and then entered the University of Ceylon. On graduating in 1962 Ray joined the Ceylon Overseas Service and served his country as a diplomat, rising to be Deputy High Commissioner in Madras (now Chennai).

At this point in his life and career he felt called to devote himself to the service of others. In 1980 he retired prematurely from government service, forfeiting his pension, and joined the ministry of Mother Theresa in Calcutta, caring for the destitute and dying. Like Mother Theresa, he too was compelled to give his life for those in the gutters of Calcutta because he too saw Jesus Christ in the face of the wretched of the earth. It was a calling that demanded one’s highest commitment, a regime of self discipline and a Spartan existence that visibly offered little in return.

On his return to Sri Lanka in 1983 he joined the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies where he served as Director until 1997. His contemporary both at St Peter’s and in the Overseas Service, the late Elmo Ziegler remarked that given his academic background in History and his grasp of that discipline, Ray would have made an excellent lecturer in this field to the students at the BCIS. But his role as Director was his entire focus. He was an exemplary administrator and ensured that the BCIS ran like clockwork, that it grew from strength to strength and acquired an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally.

In November 2005 the Sri Lanka Government honoured him with the title Deshabandu; and in 2017 President Maithripala Sirisena presented him with the BCIS Lifetime Service Award. Once he left the BCIS in 1997 to spend his last years in Anuradhapura, he found great satisfaction in tutoring students in music. He would with joy and barely concealed pride tell me about their successes and achievements because classical western music was his lifelong passion.

Ray was devout and humble and admired by all who knew him for his piety, principles and exemplary character. My own special relationship with him began when in 1983 some of us past students took steps to establish an Alumni Association of BCIS graduates (AABCIS). He worked closely with us, provided guidance and support and enabled us and the AABCIS to benefit from his wealth of experience and his store of knowledge.

Such was my regard and respect for him that I always addressed him as Mr Forbes. But his warmth and informality would prompt him many a time to encourage me to call him Ray.

Many of us who had the privilege of knowing Ray will acknowledge the lasting impact and influence that he had on our lives. We will always be richer for having known him. I spoke to him last just weeks ago to wish him on his 87th birthday; he was well, cheerful and solicitous as always – inquiring about my family, asking after my grandsons by name.

Let me close this very personal tribute with a touching memory that Stephen a friend from overseas shared:

“My final examination at BCIS was during the Beeshanya 1988. Exams were on weekdays and leave for Customs Officers was cancelled. So, I had an issue, which I explained to him. He arranged for me to do the exam, starting at 6.00am in his office on condition that I can’t leave till 9.00am when the exam commenced for the others. I agreed. He had even told the police at the gate to let me in any time after 5.30am.

“When I arrived, he was already in his office, everything ready, a separate chair, desk, etc. In about 30 minutes, Mr. Forbes (I can’t call him Ray) walks in with a cup of tea and a sandwich for me. (I am in tears as I recall these!) … I remember how he used to bring a cup of tea for the lecturer during weekday lectures. … If only Sri Lanka had more and more great human beings like this!”

Jayantha Somasundaram