Shridath Surendranath Ramphal never sought and therefore never held any electoral office. When I served as the courier of his acceptance to become Attorney-General, he stipulated in the letter which I took to Georgetown in January 1965, that his role would be “a bureaucrat without political affiliation.”
Throughout his entire life, he remained above the partisan divisive fray.
It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal, a man whose contributions to the Caribbean and the world were as vast as they were impactful. Sir Shridath was a beacon of wisdom, courage, and steadfast commitment to the principles of justice and equality.
On behalf of the Governments and peoples of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sir Shridath "Sonny" Ramphal on his passing. Sir Shridath was a towering figure, not only within the Caribbean but across the global stage. His contributions to diplomacy, international law, and the cause of justice are unparalleled, and his legacy will undoubtedly endure for generations.
SALUTATIONS
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
First Vice President and Prime Minister of Guyana
Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Distinguished members of the Cabinet of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
The passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal marks the end of an era, not only for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean and the Commonwealth of Nations. We mourn the loss of an outstanding statesman, a regionalist par excellence, and a committed internationalist. Sir Shridath’s life was one of magnificent service—dedicated to his homeland, to the region, and to the world.
If ever there was one who walked among us who truly deserved the title of Caribbean Man, it was Sir Shridath Ramphal.
At the same time, if ever we needed a definition of the term Global Citizen, a look at the resume
of Sir Shridath would be all we require.
3 September 2024
Secretary General, CARICOM
Dr Carla Natalie Barnett
Re: MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE
Since the death of Sir Shridath Surendranath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal, at age 95, on Friday, August 30, in Barbados, there have been many tributes from across the Caribbean and the world. He will be accorded an official funeral in Guyana, the country of his birth, on Saturday, September 14.
The central focus of the long international career of Sonny (Shridath) Ramphal, who has died aged 95, was undoubtedly his time as secretary general of the Commonwealth. It was in this period, from 1975 to 1990, that the reputation of the Commonwealth as a proactive postcolonial institution that could play a mediating role between developed and developing world was formed.
It is with deep sadness that the Caribbean Court of Justice
(CCJ) learned of the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal, one of the region’s greatest minds in
diplomacy, law, and international relations.