Features

A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE IN ISRAEL

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/26

by Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda

Towards the end of 1986, I was privileged to participate in a training programme conducted by The International Agency for Agricultural Development Co-operation (CINADCO) in Israel. It was a five to six week course conducted and financed by the Israeli Government, and intended to help developing countries of Asia and Africa.

We Sri Lankans were five in number, drawn from the Agriculture, Agrarian Service, ADA and Mahaweli. The course was residential and consisted of lectures, visits to farms, factories, Hebrew University, and places of tourist and religious interest, including Jerusalem, River Jordan, The Negev, Golan Heights, Massada, The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Accommodation was in a Mashav (an Israeli type of Co-operative Settlement), not far from the capital Tel Aviv.

Our ‘journey” began with the surprise that our visa was not stamped on our passports, but came as a loose leaf document!. This was because some Arab countries would not grant visas to any person who had visited Israel. The reverse was not so! Also, our flights were routed via Paris, to minimize flight over Arab territories. It was said that during one of their numerous Wars with Arab neighbours, commercial aircraft manufacturers would not sell combat aircraft to Israel. So, they built their own!

Following the persecution of Jews in Europe during World War Two, and the establishment of the State of Israel, entry was freely available to those Jews who satisfied a few lenient criteria. This led to a great influx of Jews from all over the World, who brought along with them, a wealth of technical experience in many fields. It was said that when the first astronauts, from US and USSR met in space, they spoke to each other in Hebrew (or in some versions, German).

The Hebrew Greeting is “Shalom Aleichem” meaning ‘Peace be upon you’. Readers will note the identical “Salam Aleikum” greeting of the Muslims. What then are they fighting about?It is relevant to mention that the periodical “Shalom” published by CINADCO, regularly came to me until recently.

Emphasizing the central role of Agriculture and of Food Security, all immigrants were required to first farm lands allotted to them for two years before returning to their professions – as doctors, engineers or teachers. There were no exceptions. In fact, the First Prime Minister – Menachem Begin, too farmed for two years on entry.

That more than 30 years after, I can still recount some of my experiences, is evidence of how deeply I was impressed.Israeli Agriculture is heavily automated, with control of most operations such as land preparation, seeding, transplantation, irrigation, fertilization and pest control being computer controlled. We viewed a “driverless tractor” for the first time there.

Virtually, every bit of greenery had drippers or water sprayers to sustain them. Optimizing of water use and conservation, were the foundations on which Israel’s agriculture is based. Often, the same water was used for domestic needs, and farming (multiple use). Synthetic materials for use in protected cultivations had to be long lasting in the hot and dry climate. Thus, the manufacture of Plastic sheeting for the “Plant Houses” was a priority and has by now, advanced greatly.

Most of the fresh water was obtained from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret in Hebrew) fed by the Jordan River and said to be connected to the Rift Valley starting from the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and running Southwards for 6,000 kilometres. The entrance to the “National Water Main” was by an opening three Metres in diameter. This spot was the lowest point on earth – some 1,300 metres below Sea Level. Just imagine the cost of pumping this into all of Israel. As the road meanders along a hilly section, is the “Tongue in Cheek” road sign which says “You are now at Sea Level.”

The heavy level of automation is beyond the scope of most nations and is possible solely through the munificence of Uncle Sam and his deep pockets. The statement that Israeli Agriculture is operating at a loss is plausible, but is in conflict with the abundance visible to the mesmerized visitor.

It is hardly necessary to say that agricultural research is highly problem oriented. A researcher was required to devote 95% of his time and resources to “Applied Research”. The balance 5% is for him to indulge in whatever caught his fancy. The number of “Nobel Laureates” from Israel is moving testimony that there has been good use of the 5%.

The excellence of the records of performance in the State sector, is well seen in respect of the “Agricultural Extension” Sector. The most crucial indicator is the profitability in the “Range” of each officer. If the figure is upwards, reward follows. If neutral, an effort is made to identify constraints for remedy. If down – trouble.

Minimum restrictions are imposed. No traveling claims, attendance registers, overtime, mileage records, subsistence and ‘batta’. All that really matters is profitability. A single noteworthy rule is that not more than one day per week is for “Office Work”. Five days in the field.

Two experiences remain indelible for me. On a visit to a school, young pupils in a lower class were seen intently bending over a bed in the school garden, with ‘Clip Boards’ recording something. We learnt that the bed had cabbage plants, neatly arranged in numbered rows, as also along the bed, and the students were weekly recording features they saw. The lessons that followed were to explain what they had noted. For example, one may have noted “the plant was stunted and the leaves turned red”, another may have noted “dried lower leaves” another that the plants were “branching”. The teacher would then deal with the Science explaining “Why?” Plant nutrition and Phosphorus deficiency, leaf senescence, hormones and their role. How brilliant and imaginative a way of engaging young minds.

We also learnt that Chemistry began with the composition of “Dead Sea Water”. Logically, what can be done industrially with sodium chloride, Magnesium, phosphorus, minor elements, what value addition was possible? Export demand, security implications etc. How much more exciting than plodding along the Mendeleev’s Periodic Table, element at a time and the set pattern – occurrence, properties and properties of its compounds. Reminds me of the jocular statement that Chinese Zoology first classifies animals as “edible” or “non-edible”, whether they have backbones or not is a matter to be considered sometime later.

The organizational structures for Agriculture in Israel are complex. The design is aimed at improvements in all conceivable areas impinging on agriculture. An attractive feature that we heard about, concerned a central body for deciding on extents of land to be allocated for different crops, for each season. The frequency of meetings and their durations were pre-determined. The sizes were small and the meetings were so planned that all issues had to be studied ahead by all participants so that meaningful, effective, well-informed and timely interventions if needed, could be brought about in a business-like manner.

In contrast, no one could have failed to notice how much rustling of paper occurs as many of our meetings progress – quite obviously some members were perusing their papers for the first time. This is one reason for the duration (and frequency) of these Israeli meetings being limited, to ensure that the members had carefully studied their papers beforehand and decisions were well-informed.

At the time of our visit, in a previous season when water was in short supply, the Co0mmitee decided that cotton and avocado areas had to be reduced, as these two crops made the heaviest demands on irrigation water supplies. This was in spite of Israeli cotton being a prized long staple type ( I still wear a Tee Shirt gifted to us as a memento, and is now 35 years old but still in “mint condition”!) and avocado – a premium product. Growers were apparently paid a compensation for loss of crop, which would in any case, be more bountiful in the seasons ahead.

At the Hebrew University, we were introduced to two novel equipment designs. One was to simplify the process of cleaning soil sticking to harvested potatoes. It made use of the fact that when a soil covered potato was dropped from a height, the degree of “bounce” of the potato was different from that of adhering soil lumps.

The key component of the design was a long roller, rather like what is used in gardening, or on cricket pitches, with the difference that the roller itself was a series of disks of different thickness, rotating on a common axis. The potatoes were dropped by a chute on to the rotating roller. Baskets were so set that they “caught” the bouncing potatoes. The first run cleaned the potatoes of the bulk of soil and a second run, completed the task. Why the “sliced” roller was more effective, is a mystery.

The second example, addressed the problem of a fungus which produced its spores on the under surface of cereal crop leaves. The normal spray fell mainly on the upper sides of leaves – requiring a number of spraying rounds to clear the infestation. The solution was to use ultra-long span booms with spray nozzles directed downwards. Just above the delivery arm was a long canvas “balloon” also with nozzles pointing downwards.

A tractor-mounted compressor blew a strong stream of air past the spray arm. What happened was that the strong blast of air, turned the leaves of the cereal crop underside up and this surface caught the simultaneously- sprayed fungicide. Massive savings made allowed the “patented” devices to be sold abroad at a hefty price. This invention was by a girl undergraduate student, on a vacation assignment. It was mentioned that she drew a handsome lifetime royalty on each unit sold.

At the other of the scale was a small device called “The Mechanical Butterfly”. This was hand-held, and battery operated, not unlike a flashlight, at the end of which was a soft-bristled brush, which rotated at high speed. This was used to pollinate flowers at the receptive stage of the pistil. We saw it in use with cherry tomatoes in a plant house.

At the time of our visit (November/December), citrus plantations were a fantastic sight. Laden with thousands of fruits, like a Fairy Land, alight with orange coloured bulbs. Despite their seemingly ripe fruits, we were told that harvest time was January/February! How many millions of tons of vegetables and fruits do we lose annually, through negligence – of optimal harvest timing, handling and bruising, by bad packing and storage? Our losses are estimated to be about 35-40% between field and table. We have much to learn and to adopt.

Another special experience was a visit to a dairy enterprise. The herd was some 120 or so, run by just the young owner and a single helper. The animals were stall- fed, with a mixture that looked like broken up corn flakes – which we learnt was a mix of citrus peel from a nearby cannery, corn cobs, ground limestone and some chopped up coarse grass like our “bata” used by us as supports for bean creepers.

The farm had a central milking unit. The day began very early with the cows being sprayed with water to keep them cool. Water was too costly for customary baths. The stock was, as I remember a cross between Jersey and Friesian. Yields averaged around 45 liters per day, with yield records being maintained for each cow. The animals looked like ‘all udder,’ fitted with four legs and a tail. If the yield drops to the 30’s consistently, the animals were culled. Answering a question whether he identified the animals by name, the retort was “No! I am running a dairy herd and not a pet shop”.

Just next door, was a cheese factory run by the guy’s father. The logical reaction was, “how convenient”. The answer was “no” that all milk was sold to the co-operative and the father bought his milk from the co-operative. This neatly meant that two subsidies were collected – the one encouraging milk production and the other processing. This is why the Jews are considered a cunning and greedy lot.

Fresh produce – fruits, vegetables and cut flowers – command a huge clientele in Europe. Meticulous handling at farm level is matched by systems at the airport. On receipt (from cold storage in transit), the produce is immediately received into Cold Rooms. About half or one hour before being loaded on to cargo planes (flights times being rigorously observed), the crates are moved on to the tarmac to avoid any “temperature shock” Top quality on shop shelves is assured.

I was unashamedly thrilled with what we saw. Maybe the hospitality was lavished on us, for political advantage. My reaction is why not? – after all, there is no such thing as a free lunch!

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Features

A life in colour and song: Rajika Gamage’s new bird guide captures Sri Lanka’s avian soul

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka wakes each morning to wings.

From the liquid whistle of a magpie robin in a garden hedge to the distant circling silhouette of an eagle above a forest canopy, birds define the rhythm of the island’s days.

Their colours ignite the imagination; their calls stir memory; their presence offers reassurance that nature still breathes alongside humanity. For conservation biologist Rajika Gamage, these winged lives are more than fleeting beauty—they are a lifelong calling.

Now, after years of patient observation, artistic collaboration, and scientific dedication, Gamage’s latest book, An Illustrated Field Guide to the Fauna of Sri Lanka – Birds, is set to reach readers when it hits the market on March 6.

The new edition promises to become one of the most comprehensive and visually rich bird guides ever produced for Sri Lanka.

Speaking to The Island, Gamage reflected on the inspiration behind his work and the enduring fascination birds hold for people across the country.

“Birds are an incredibly diverse group,” he said. “Their bright colours, distinct songs and calls, and showy displays contribute to their uniqueness, which is appreciated by all bird-loving individuals.”

Birds, he explained, occupy a special place in the natural world because they are among the most visible forms of wildlife. Unlike elusive mammals or secretive reptiles, birds share human spaces openly.

“Birds are widely distributed in all parts of the globe in large enough populations, making them the most common wildlife around human habitations,” Gamage said. “This offers a unique opportunity for observing and monitoring their diverse plumage and behaviours for conservation and recreational purposes.”

This accessibility has made birdwatching one of the most popular forms of wildlife observation in Sri Lanka, attracting everyone from seasoned scientists to curious schoolchildren.

A remarkable island of avian diversity

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka possesses extraordinary bird diversity.

According to Gamage, the country’s geographic position, varied climate, and diverse habitats—from coastal wetlands and rainforests to montane cloud forests and dry-zone scrublands—have created ideal conditions for birdlife.

“Sri Lanka is home to a rich diversity of birdlife, with a total of 522 bird species recorded in the country,” he said. “These species are spread across 23 orders, 89 families, and 267 genera.”

Of these, 478 species have been fully confirmed. Among them, 209 are breeding residents, meaning they live and reproduce on the island throughout the year.

Even more remarkable is Sri Lanka’s high level of endemism.

“Thirty-five of these breeding resident species are endemic to Sri Lanka,” Gamage noted. “They are confined entirely to the island, making them globally significant.”

These endemic species—from forest-dwelling flycatchers to vividly coloured barbets—represent evolutionary lineages shaped by Sri Lanka’s long geological isolation and ecological uniqueness.

In addition to resident birds, Sri Lanka also serves as a seasonal refuge for migratory species traveling thousands of kilometres.

“There are regular migrants that arrive annually, as well as irregular migrants that visit less predictably,” Gamage explained. “Vagrants, birds that appear outside their typical migratory routes, have also been spotted occasionally.”

Such unexpected visitors often generate excitement among birdwatchers and scientists alike, providing valuable insights into migration patterns and environmental change.

Rajika Gamage

A guide born from passion and necessity

The new field guide represents the culmination of years of research and builds upon Gamage’s earlier publication, which was released in 2017.

“The stimulus for this bird guide was due to the success of my first book,” he said. “This new edition aims to facilitate identification and provide an idea of what to look for in observed habitats or regions.”

The book is designed not merely as a scientific reference but as an accessible companion for anyone interested in birds. Its structure reflects this dual purpose.

“The first section is dedicated to the introduction, geography, and life history of Sri Lankan birds,” Gamage explained. “The second section is the main body of the guide, which illustrates 532 species of birds.”

Each illustration has been carefully crafted in colour to capture the distinctive plumage of each species.

“All illustrations are designed to show each bird’s significant and distinct plumage,” he said. “Where possible, the breeding, non-breeding, and juvenile plumages are provided.”

This attention to detail is especially important because many birds change appearance as they mature.

“Some groups, especially gulls, display many plumages between juveniles and adults,” Gamage noted. “Many take several years to develop full adult plumage and pass through semi-adult stages.”

By illustrating these stages, the guide helps birdwatchers avoid misidentification and deepen their understanding of avian development.

New discoveries and evolving science

One of the most exciting aspects of the new edition is its inclusion of newly recorded species and updated scientific classifications.

“Changes in the bird list of Sri Lanka, especially newly added endemic birds such as the Sri Lankan Shama, Sri Lanka Lesser Flameback, and Greater Flameback, are now included,” Gamage said.

Scientific names and classifications are not static; they evolve as researchers learn more about genetic relationships and species boundaries. The guide reflects these changes, ensuring it remains scientifically current.

The book also incorporates conservation status information based on the latest National Red Data Report and global assessments.

“The conservation status of Sri Lankan birds, as listed in the 2022 National Red Data Report and the global Red Data Report, are included,” Gamage said.

This information is vital for conservation planning and public awareness, highlighting which species face the greatest risk of extinction.

The guide also documents rare and accidental visitors, including species such as the Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush, and European Honey-buzzard.

“These represent accidental visitors and newly recorded vagrants,” Gamage said. “Altogether, the first edition offers some 25 additional species, all illustrated.”

Art and science in harmony

Unlike many field guides that rely heavily on photographs, Gamage’s book emphasises detailed illustrations. This choice reflects the unique advantages of scientific art.

Illustrations can emphasise diagnostic features, eliminate distracting backgrounds, and present birds in standardised poses, making identification easier.

“The principal birds on each page are painted to a standard scale,” Gamage explained. “Flight and behavioural sketches are shown at smaller scales.”

The guide also includes descriptions of habitats, distribution, nesting behaviour, and alternative names in English, Sinhala, and Tamil.

“The majority of birds have more than one English, Sinhala, and Tamil name,” he said. “All of these are included.”

This multilingual approach reflects Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity and ensures the guide is accessible to a wider audience.

A tool for conservation and connection

Beyond its scientific value, Gamage believes the book serves a deeper purpose: strengthening the bond between people and nature.

By helping readers identify birds and understand their lives, the guide fosters appreciation and responsibility.

“This field guide aims to facilitate identification and provide a general introduction to birds,” he said.

In an era of rapid environmental change, such knowledge is essential. Habitat loss, climate change, and human activity continue to threaten bird populations worldwide, including in Sri Lanka.

Yet birds also offer hope.

Their presence in gardens, wetlands, and forests reminds people of nature’s resilience—and their own role in protecting it.

Gamage hopes the guide will inspire both seasoned ornithologists and beginners alike.

“All these changes will make An Illustrated Field Guide to the Fauna of Sri Lanka – Birds one of the most comprehensive and accurate guides available within Sri Lanka,” he said.

A lifelong devotion takes flight

For Rajika Gamage, birds are not merely subjects of study—they are companions in a lifelong journey of discovery.

Each call heard at dawn, each silhouette glimpsed against the sky, each feathered visitor from distant lands reinforces the wonder that first drew him to ornithology.

With the release of his new book on March 6, that wonder will now be shared more widely than ever before.

In its pages, readers will find not only identification keys and scientific facts, but also something more enduring—the story of an island, told through wings, colour, and song.

By Ifham Nizam

Features

Letting go: A Buddhist perspective

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Buddha

Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest religions, offers profound insights into the nature of existence and the ways we can alleviate our suffering. As one of the world’s most profound spiritual traditions, it offers a transformative solution: the art of letting go. Unlike simply losing interest in things or giving up, letting go in Buddhism is about liberation, releasing ourselves from the chain of attachment that prevents us from experiencing true peace and happiness. Letting go is a profound philosophical concept in Buddhism, deeply intertwined with an understanding of suffering, attachment, and the nature of reality. This philosophy encourages us to release our grip on desires, attachments, and on what we hold dear- whether relationships, material goods, or even their identities, ultimately leading to greater peace and enlightenment. Our tendency to cling tightly to the various aspects of life leads to a significant source of stress. We tend to grasp at things, perceiving them as solid and permanent, yet much of what we hold onto is transient and subject to change. This mistaken belief in permanence can trap us in cycles of worry, fear, and anxiety.

The challenge of letting go is especially evident during difficult periods in life. We may find ourselves ruminating over lost opportunities, failed relationships, and unmet expectations. Such thoughts can keep us ensnared in emotions like hurt, guilt, and shame, hindering our ability to move forward. By holding onto the past, we often prevent ourselves from embracing the present and future.

At the heart of Buddhist practice lies the concept of letting go, often encapsulated in the term “non-attachment.” Letting go is a crucial concept in both Buddhism and Christianity, emphasising the release of attachments that bind us and contribute to our suffering. At its core, letting go is about finding freedom from desires and acknowledging that both relationships and material possessions are fleeting and transient.

In Buddhism, letting go, or non-attachment, is fundamental for achieving inner peace. The First Noble Truth acknowledges that life is filled with suffering, often rooted in our cravings and attachment to things. The Second Noble Truth teaches that by letting go of this craving, we can transcend the cycles of life and attain enlightenment.

Spiritually, Buddhism emphasises the impermanence of all things (annica). We tend to cling to people, experiences, and even our identities, but everything is fleeting. Recogniing this helps us appreciate the present moment and fosters compassion. Instead of allowing attachments to cloud our relationships, letting go encourages us to engage with others without judgment or expectation, fostering deeper connections.

Philosophically, Buddhism challenges the notion of a permanent self (anatta) that is often the focus of human attachment. It teaches that our identity is not a fixed entity but a collection of experiences and perceptions in constant flux. Understanding this can help us see the futility of clinging to desires and identities, paving the way for a liberated state of being built on wisdom cultivated through meditation and mindfulness.

From a psychological standpoint, letting go can significantly improve our emotional health and well-being. Attachment often breeds fear, anxiety, and stress, while non-attachment promotes resilience and adaptability. When we embrace the idea of impermanence, we become more capable of handling life’s challenges without being overwhelmed. Mindfulness—being present and accepting our emotions without judgment—allows us to process difficult feelings constructively, making it easier to let go of what we cannot control.

Letting go is also an essential concept in Christianity, which emphasises surrender and trust in God. Biblical teachings encourage believers to let go of worries and anxieties, placing their faith in divine providence. For instance, verses like Matthew 6:34 remind individuals not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to focus on the present. By surrendering our burdens to God, we find peace and freedom from the weight of excessive attachment.

Moreover, both traditions highlight the importance of community. In Buddhism, the sangha, or community of practitioners, supports individuals on their journeys toward non-attachment. Similarly, the Christian community encourages believers to lean on one another for support, fostering a sense of belonging and shared faith that helps mitigate the loneliness that comes with attachment.

Ultimately, the concept of letting go serves as a powerful antidote to suffering in both Buddhism and Christianity. By embracing impermanence, cultivating wisdom, and practising mindfulness or faith, individuals can experience profound liberation. In our chaotic world, the principles of letting go offer a clear path toward inner peace, fulfilment, and deeper connections with ourselves, others, and the divine.

Buddhism explores the profound concept of letting go, providing valuable insights into the human experience and pathways to alleviating suffering. Rooted in one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, Buddhism presents letting go as a transformative practice, distinct from mere disengagement or giving up. Instead, it encompasses liberation from the chains of attachment that hinder us from experiencing genuine peace and happiness. Christianity too explore this profound concept in its teachings

At the core of Buddhist philosophy lies the idea of non-attachment, which encourages individuals to free themselves from desires and possessions, ultimately leading to tranquility and enlightenment. Letting go is intertwined with an understanding of suffering, attachment, and the transient nature of existence. This philosophy instructs us to relinquish our grip on what we hold dear—whether relationships, material goods, or even our identities—recognising that these are impermanent.

Buddhism’s First Noble Truth acknowledges that life inherently involves suffering, often stemming from our cravings and attachments. The Second Noble Truth reveals that overcoming this craving is key to transcending the cycles of life and achieving enlightenment. Emphasising the impermanence of all things, Buddhism invites us to appreciate the present moment and fosters compassion by helping us detach from fixed identities and experiences. This awareness enriches our relationships, allowing us to connect with others free from judgment or expectation.

Philosophically, Buddhism challenges the notion of a static self (anatta), asserting that our identity is not a fixed concept but rather a fluid collection of experiences. Recognising this notion helps highlight the futility of clinging to desires and identities, opening the door to a liberated existence founded on wisdom cultivated through meditation and mindfulness practices.

From a psychological perspective, the act of letting go can significantly enhance emotional health and well-being. Attachment often fuels fear, anxiety, and stress, while embracing non-attachment cultivates resilience and adaptability. By accepting impermanence, we equip ourselves to face life’s challenges with greater ease. Practicing mindfulness—being present and accepting emotions without judgment—further facilitates the process of releasing what is beyond our control.

In Christianity, the theme of letting go is also prominent, emphasizing surrender and trust in God. Scripture encourages believers to release their worries and anxieties by placing their faith in divine providence. For example, Matthew 6:34 advises individuals to focus on the present rather than fret over the future. By surrendering our burdens to God, we can experience relief from the weight of excessive attachment.

Both traditions underscore the significance of community in supporting the journey of letting go. In Buddhism, the sangha, or community of practitioners, encourages the pursuit of non-attachment. Likewise, Christian fellowship fosters belonging and shared faith, helping believers lean on one another for strength and mitigating the loneliness that can arise from attachment.

Ultimately, the concept of letting go serves as a powerful antidote to suffering in both Buddhism and Christianity. Embracing impermanence, nurturing wisdom, and practising mindfulness or trust can lead individuals toward profound liberation. In an increasingly chaotic world, the principles of letting go illuminate a pathway to inner peace, fulfilment, and deeper connections with ourselves, others, and the divine. By understanding and embodying this philosophy, we can navigate life’s complexities with grace and openness.////Buddhism delves into the profound concept of letting go, offering valuable insights into the human experience and pathways to alleviating suffering. As one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, Buddhism presents letting go as a transformative practice that goes beyond mere disengagement or resignation. It represents liberation from the chains of attachment that prevent us from experiencing true peace and happiness. Similarly, Christianity explores this profound concept in its teachings.

At the heart of Buddhist philosophy is the idea of non-attachment, which encourages individuals to free themselves from desires and possessions, ultimately leading to tranquility and enlightenment. Letting go is closely related to an understanding of suffering, attachment, and the impermanent nature of existence. This philosophy guides us to loosen our hold on what we cherish—be it relationships, material possessions, or even our own identities—recognizing that everything is transient. Through this understanding, we can cultivate a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment in our lives.

BY Dr. Justice Chandradasa Nanayakkara

Features

Brilliant Navy officer no more

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bandi (R) with the writer on his retirement day in 2016)

Rear Admiral Udaya Bandara, VSV, USP (retired)

This incident happened in 2006 when I was the Director Naval Operations, Special Forces and Maritime Surveillance under then Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda. Udaya (fondly known as Bandi) was a trusted Naval Assistant (NA) to the Commander.

We were going through a very hard time fighting the LTTE Sea Tigers’ explosive-laden suicide boats that our Fast Attack Craft (s) and elite SBS’ Arrow Boats encountered in our littoral sea battles.

Brilliant Marine Engineer Commander (then) Chaminda Dissanayake, who was known for his “out of the box” thinking and superior technical skills on research and development, met me at my office at Naval Headquarters and showed me a blueprint of an explosive- laden remotely controlled small boat.

Udaya’s Naval Assistant’s office was next to mine, the Director Naval Operations office. Both places are very close to the Navy Commander’s office. I walked into Bandi’s office with Commander Dissa and showed this blueprint a brilliant idea. Being a Marine Engineer “par excellence”, Bandi immediately understood the great design. I urged him to brief the Commander of the Navy with Commander Dissa.

My burden was over! Bandi took over the project and within a few weeks we tested our first prototype “Explosive-laden Remotely Controlled arrow boat “at sea off Coral Cove in the Naval Base Trincomalee. It was a complete success.

This remotely controlled boats went out to sea with our SBS arrow boats fleet and had devastating effects against LTTE suicide boats and their small boats fleet. Thanks, Bandi, for your contribution. The present-day Admiral of the Fleet used to tell us during those days “you cannot buy a Navy – you have to build one”!

We built our own small boats squadrons at our boat yards in Welisara and Trincomalee to bring LTTE Sea Tigers. The Special Boats Squadron (SBS) and rapid action boats squadron (RABS) being so useful with remotely controlled explosive-laden arrow boats to win sea battles convincingly.

Bandi used to say, “Navy is a technical service and we should give ALL SRI LANKA NAVY OFFICERS FIRST A TECHNICAL DEGREE AT OUR ACADEMY (BTec degree).” That idea did not receive much attention here, but the Indian Navy—Bandi graduated as a Marine Engineer- at Indian Navy Engineering College SLNS Shivaji in Lonavala, Pune, India— understood this idea well over two decades ago. Indian Navy Commissioned their new Naval Academy at Ezhimala (in Kerala State) which is the largest Naval Academy in Asia (Campus covers area of 2,452 acres) starts its Naval officers training with a BTech degree, regardless of what branch of the navy one joined.

Bandi’s technical expertise was not limited to SLN. He was the pioneer of “Mini – Hydro Power projects” in Sri Lanka. When I was a young officer, he urged me to invest some money in one of these projects and advised me “Sir! as long as water flows through turbines, you will get money from the CEB, which is always short of electricity”. I regret that I did not heed Bandi’s advice.

When he worked under me when I was Commander Southern Naval Area, as my senior Technical Officer, I observed pencil marks on walls of his chalet and I inquired from him what they were. He said it was the result of his “pencil shooting training”, a drill Practical Pistol Firers do to improve their skills. He used to practice “draw and fire” drills and pencil shooting drills late into nights to be a good Practical Pistol firer in Sri Lanka Navy team. He didn’t stop at that. He represented Sri Lanka National Practical Pistol Firing team and won International Championships.

As the Officer in charge of Technical Training in the Navy, he worked as Training Commander to train Royal Oman Navy Engineering Artificers in Sri Lanka, especially on Fast Attack Craft Main Engine Overhauls. The Royal Oman Navy Commander was so impressed with the knowledge acquired by Artificers that he donated money for the construction of a four-storey accommodation building for Sri Lanka Navy Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee now known as “Oman Building”. The credit for this project should go to Bandi.

Bandi’s wife was a senior Judge of Kegalle High Court, and she retired a few years ago. Their only child, a son studied at the British School, Colombo and followed in his mother’s footsteps became a lawyer. Bandi was so much attached to his family and very proud of his son’s accomplishments.

When Bandi was due to retire in 2016 as a Rear Admiral and Director General Training, after distinguished service of 34 years, and reaching retirement age of 55 years, I requested him to serve for some more years after mobilising him into our Naval Reserve Force. He had other plans. He wanted to take his mini-Hydro Power projects to East African countries.

His demise after a very brief illness at age of 64 years was a shock to his family and friends. His funeral was held on Feb. 27 with Full Military Honors befitting a Rear Admiral at his home town Aranayake.

Dear Bandi, the beautiful Sri Lanka Navy, Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, which was built with your efforts will serve for Sri Lanka Navy Officer Trainees and sailors for a very long time and remember you forever.

May dear Bandi attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!

Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee

By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
WV, RWP and Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn, Bsc
(Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras)
Former Navy Commander and Former Chief of Defence Staff
Former Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd,
Former Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation,
Former High Commissioner to Pakistan