Motor sports ace Rajah Sinnathuray dies at 84

One of Sri Lanka’s foremost motor sports ace, Rajah Sinnathuray has died at the age of 84.

The Old Wesleyites Sports Club Facebook page breaking the sad news said: “Dear All, It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Old boy Raja Sinnadurai.”

Sinnathuray was a household name in the field of motor sports. He dominated motor sports in the 1950s and 1960s with his masterly and dare devil riding and driving. He conquered and burnt the track astride a 125cc Java, NSU and Tiger Triumph competing in motorcycle events in Sri Lanka as well as in India becoming the All-Ceylon and All-India motor racing champion on several occasions. 

He also won at the Katukurunda circuit, Mahagastota Hill Climb, Karandapone Hill Climb and the Hantane Hill Climb races. At Mahagastota he finished first in the 125cc, 250cc, 350cc and 500cc class events riding a Triumph Tiger 100. At the same meet he drove a Ford Anglia and won the Annesley Philips Shield.

In 1957, Sinnathuray became the youngest rider to represent the country at his own expense, there were no sponsors like today, participating in meets in Madras, Coimbatore and Bangalore. He pitted his talent against the likes of the Dean brothers Rally and Zacky who were household names, Chandra de Costa, Kingsley Smith, Nihal Seneviratne, Collin Silva, Ivor Drieberg, U.D. Jinadasa, Bathiya Mirando, Pat Coomaravel and Reggie Fernando.

Riding in a NSU Super Max brought by his mother to help him race in India, Sinnathuray crowned himself with glory when he beat the All India champion KV Mani to carry away the V Raja Challenge Cup, becoming the youngest to do so. The win was more credible because Sinnathuray rode a 250cc bike to Mani’s 350cc. Mani in admiration of Sinnathuray’s win presented him with a gold ring.

After quitting the track, Sinnathuray continued to serve the sports with dedication as president of the Ceylon Motor Cycle Club and the Ceylon Motor Sports Club, the Old Wesleyites Sports Club who made him a life member in 2018, the Automobile Association of Ceylon and several other social clubs and institutions including horse racing which are too numerous to mention here. 

He was appointed to the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) by Kumara Welgama when he was Transport Minister and represented the Ceylon Society for Prevention of Accidents (CESPA).

Sinnathuray’s versatility off the track saw him become member, committee member, secretary, chairman and president in numerous schools, clubs and national associations.

A wonderful personality, Sinnathuray won great admiration by all and sundry for his ability to go out of his way to help people. He never forgot the people who had helped him to rise in his career and often made it a point to inquire about them from their kith and kin.

Sinnathuray who lost his wife Malini at a younger age is survived by his two daughters Shashikala and Pushpakali. – (ST)