About M G’s life….(also known as ‘Ratty’, ‘Ratnayake’ or simply Mervin) passed peacefully aged 83 at his home in Sanderstead.

Born in 1937 in Kurunagale, a small village in Sri-Lanka, the spirit and values of which never left him, always carrying the load of his family and wider community. He met and married his beloved Chandra when she was just 16 and he 24, a full and loyal marriage of nearly 60 years. He took the six-week journey by ship to England with her joining him a few months later and together they began building their life in the UK.

He completed his first degree and masters at the Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge and all whilst building a family – Moira, Samantha and Dillhan. A loving nurturing father, with a strong sense of responsibility both of his own family and his extended one – supporting their education, careers, their homes, or helping them better their lives in countries not of their birth – while sacrificing his own needs. This strong sense of social purpose and desire to help those less fortunate rooted in his Buddhist beliefs, and way of living and thinking culminated in Mervyn supporting the poor in his own village by building a charity home for the displaced, homeless elderly people.

Through his considerable skill, intelligence and hard work Mervyn achieved much in his work as an Engineer in Oil and Gas, soon attaining his Chartership, and becoming a major pioneer and globally recognised figure in the Industry. Many platforms, installations, buildings and bridges throughout the world stand as a literal and metaphorical huge testament to his achievements and contributions in his field and life.

The ‘ring-leader’ and great friend to his Sri Lankan ‘gang’, keen golfer, courageous risk taker, loveable rogue, and of course most of all a loving father to his family.

Mervin passed away peacefully surrounded by his beloved family who survive him on 13 April 2021.