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Professor P V J Jayasekera

Published

2 years ago

2024/07/21

Prof P V J Jayasekera

Latterly when Karunapala would ring me, or I him, I would ask: “How are you?” and he would invariably reply: “Still vertical” which brought a laugh from me and his usual chuckle. That has ended. He died on Thursday July 11 after two days of a fatal heart condition. Though heavily sedated, he indicated he knew his sons were present with him in the private hospital in Kandy; they being told of their Appachi’s medical condition and arriving within 36 hours from Vancouver, Canada and Scottsdale, USA

Prof P V J Jayasekera, known to us as Karunapala, married my eldest sister’s eldest daughter Sriyangani and integrated himself well with our extended family. He had met my niece when she was an undergraduate at the University of Peradeniya, liked her, and approached her when she took to teaching after graduation. With her consent, he sought approval for his joining the family from her parents. They were married in the mid-1960s.

He was from a much respected family in Galle and had his secondary schooling at Richmond College, Galle, where he was outstanding in studies and sports and was awarded the Darrel Medal for Best All Round Performance. His BA degree he earned from the University of Peradeniya and his Masters from the University of Manitoba, Canada, as Ceylon’s first Commonwealth scholar to a Canadian University.

He married when a lecturer at the University of Peradeniya. The couple moved soon after to Britain with him joining the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, now known as SOAS. Having received his doctorate, specializing in history, my niece and he returned to Sri Lanka.

He joined the teaching faculty of the Vidyodaya University and within a year or two moved to the History Department, University of Peradeniya, as senior lecturer. At this time Sriyangani and he built their house in Anniewatte, designed by Archt. Minnette de Silva, with a spectacular view of hills, vales and the Mahaweli.

They had two sons, Harsha and Channa. My family of siblings is very close knit and thus I saw the two boys grow up when spending weekends with my sister in Anniewatte, Kandy, and visiting the young family, hiking up their hill. Harsha was quiet and spent much of his day in his computer lab in the attic of their house; while Channa was gregarious and loved company, even that of athammas.

Sriyanganie joined the staff of Trinity College as librarian. To her is due the credit of creating the TCK Archives, which was the second in a Sri Lankan school. She found priceless documents like a plan for the Chapel lying around. Fortuitously, Lakshman Kadirgamar, PC, had just returned from the UK and would spend time in his old school and its library. Sriyangani told him of her archives idea and he got the money and it was created excellently. This was the early 1990s just before he joined politics.

Harsha moved to the States and carved himself a career in IT and software development, founding a website that at that time received approximately 1% of internet traffic and has since branched into different areas of consumer internet technology. He graduated from the University of British Columbia. He is now comfortably settled in Vancouver with wife and son. Sriyangani moved to California in 1999 to teach in a Montessori school with the sole purpose of facilitating Channa’s higher education. Her hopes and Karunapala’s aspiration were fully realized. Channa followed medical studies at Duke University, Durham, N Carolina, and further trained at Stanford Univ. Father of an eight year son, he is transplant hepatologist (liver) at Mayo Clinic, mentioned thus by him almost in passing but my son tells me it is a most prestigious post he holds, young as he is.

Karunapala was a true academic. I use this term ‘true’ as the higher echelons – principally political – of this country are awash with Doctors of Phil and Professors. He moved as is due from junior to senior lecturer to Doctor to Professor Jayasekera. Very many are the students who have praised him unreservedly for his intellect and more so for the help he gave them. His sons said they were told this by so many who were present at the funeral held within 24 hours: students and young academics, expressing gratitude to their lecturer/mentor. He was an academic as evidenced in his publications among which I mention only one recently published research tome: 570 paged Confrontations with Colonialism: Resistance, Revivalism and Reform under British Rule in Sri Lanka 1796- 1920 Vol 1, 2017. The second volume will soon be published.

Personal narratives

For me, the human person rather than the academic is significant. But Karunapala dominated as a ‘learned man’ in our extended family and we respected him as such. When a family discussion on politics, history, heritage, international relations bordered on the contentious, we would say, particularly my brother, “let’s ask Karu,” whether present or not.

So when I decided to research and write about noteworthy women of Kandy, I sought his advice. Certainly and gladly given, he said, but his reply to my first draft of introduction was: What is this? To him research was research, not haphazard or scrappy. I was writing no thesis, but correct research methodology could not be compromised. Sriyangani saved me: “You send me drafts and I will edit. You know Karunapala!” But he wrote me my first chapter on the Kandyans, acknowledged as such in my book.

My nephew-in-law combined well with my fun seeking husband, and thus the many family trips done with my brother and two sisters and their families. Once on the spur of the moment we decided to go to Jaffna. A friend offered the use of a house in Chunnakam, but hordes of howling dogs prevented sleep. Karunapala got us the use of a house owned by a prominent college in Jaffna. Good and spacious but haunted both day and night. We weathered them. Best remembered were the holidays in a sprawling bungalow on the Nilaweli beach with plenty of fresh toddy and a barbeque using a sea resurrected metal doormat, organized by him.

Karunapala was a highly responsible minded man. Being one of the younger in his family of successful brothers and nephews, he helped my sister and brother-in-law immensely in advising them and guiding their younger children in studies, careers, marriages. Thus the immense care and affection given him as he lived alone in his beautifully maintained home in Kandy by his youngest sister-in-law Dhammika, and her sister–in-law Daphne, a specialist doctor. His relatives were always at hand to see to his welfare. Also must-be-mentioned Mutthulingam – his Man Friday and cook, who served him devotedly for many decades.

Karunapala mourned his wife’s premature death in August 2008 but opted to stay on in Kandy, and lived till 91 a truly quality life. He had been an outstanding academic, a great help to people, a caring husband, a devoted and latterly proud father and grandfather. We, his in-laws, appreciated and respected him.

He was mindful, deeply concerned about his students and others, good in every way and a humane person. Thus his sojourn in samsara will surely be short.

NPW

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo,Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

11 hours ago

2026/05/24

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 1700 hrs today [24th May 2026] to 1700 hrs on Monday [25th May 2026].

Accordingly,
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Dehiowita, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kuruwita, Ratnapura, Ayagama and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Palindanuwara, Mathugama, Bulathsinhala, Agalawatta, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Kiriella, Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Elapatha and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district.

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PM concludes official visit to UK

Published

14 hours ago

2026/05/24

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya concluded a successful official visit to the United Kingdom from 18 to 22 May 2026. The visit was undertaken to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 and to advance bilateral, academic, and community engagement.

The Prime Minister commenced her programme with academic engagements at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, where she addressed the 60th anniversary celebration. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister reflected on the relationship between politics, governance, and development, drawing from Sri Lanka’s recent political and economic experiences. She emphasized the challenges of balancing governance, economic recovery, social protection, and institutional reform while responding to public expectations and maintaining democratic accountability.

The Prime Minister subsequently delivered the 2026 Annual Lecture at the St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, organized by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). Addressing the audience comprising students, academics, and researchers from across the University of Oxford, the Prime Minister reflected on the intersections of development, governance, and politics in Sri Lanka while discussing the broader realities faced by the country attempting to achieve meaningful social and economic reform. During her visit to Oxford, she also engaged with scholars and Sri Lankan fellows of the Chevening CRISP programme.

During the visit, Prime Minister Amarasuriya held bilateral discussions with Ms Yvette Cooper Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom. During the discussions, Prime Minister Amarasuriya conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the United Kingdom’s support following Cyclone Ditwah, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance, and commended the UK’s continued efforts to facilitate increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka. She also briefed the UK side on Sri Lanka’s economic developments and policy priorities, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to human rights, reconciliation, and the country’s positive growth trajectory. Both sides exchanged views on global geopolitical developments, energy challenges, and regional connectivity, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

At a discussion with Ms Bridget Phillipson, UK Secretary of State for Education Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of sustaining meaningful institutional partnerships, enhancing quality assurance in higher education, and expanding opportunities for students and educators. Both sides reaffirmed the long-standing and historic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom in education and expressed interest in further deepening collaboration in student mobility, joint programmes, and research.

The Prime Minister also met with academic experts from the British Council at the High Commission in London to discuss strengthening cooperation in education. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills. The meeting also addressed ways to improve quality assurance, expand research collaboration, and enhance learning opportunities for students and educators.

The Prime Minister attended the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 from 21 to 22 May 2026. She met with Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, at the Commonwealth Secretariat, where discussions focused on strengthening cooperation within the Commonwealth framework, including climate change, climate finance, democratic governance, and women’s political participation. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka through technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and collaboration in areas including climate finance and electoral governance.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya visited the London Buddhist Vihara ahead of its upcoming centenary celebrations, where she met with the Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara and discussed the preparations for the celebrations and the Vihara’s longstanding contribution to the Sri Lankan community. She subsequently engaged with members of the Sri Lankan community at a separate community event.

Concluding her successful official visit to the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya arrived in Sri Lanka on Satueday morning via Bandaranaike International Airport.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Sri Lanka cricket finances ‘greater than feared’: interim chief

Published

24 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

Eran Wickramaratne gestures during a press conference at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board office in Colombo on May 21 (Ishara S. KODIKARA/AFP)

(AFP)Financial irregularities surrounding Sri Lankan cricket were far worse than feared, government-appointed administrators said Thursday, promising a full accounting and sweeping reforms.

“We have already ordered a forensic audit of the accounts,” Eran Wickramaratne, interim president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), told his first news conference since taking office last month.

He said financial irregularities were “far greater than initially feared”.

He said the new SLC leadership — handpicked by the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — would bring in sweeping reforms as concerns linger over international sanctions.

The current administration was appointed following the mass resignation of SLC’s elected officials last month — a move that raised fears of possible suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over political interference.

The SLC, the country’s richest sports body, was suspended for two months in 2023 on similar grounds.

Wickramaratne, however, said discussions with the ICC were underway on reforming the SLC.

“Our talks with the ICC have been extremely cordial and constructive,” he said.

“We have been very open and transparent in what we are doing, and they want us to pursue open and transparent methods in doing this.”

Reforms include drafting a new constitution aimed at curbing abuses that allowed groups to retain power for a prolonged period, he added.

Four-time SLC president Shammi Silva and his entire committee stepped down in April after the government intervention, clearing the way for the current overhaul.The previous administration had also faced criticism over the national team’s performances, including an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted with India earlier this year.