Dr. P A J Ratnasiri

Appreciation

The rather sudden demise of Dr.P A J Ratnasiri, or Janaka Ratnasiri, as he preferred to be called, leaves a great void among the scientific literati of Sri Lanka. He was an avid reader who kept up-to-date in his field, and always expressed his views, without fear or favour, on controversial national issues, which he felt the public should be informed of. We will sorely miss his rather erudite articles.

Dr. Janaka Ratnasiri passed away on 24th March, 2021, aged 80. He is survived by his wife, Professor Nalini Ratnasiri.

Dr Ratnasiri graduated from the University of Ceylon, joined the CISIR, (Ceylon Institute of Scientific & Industrial Research) which was the premier scientific research institute at the time, and worked alongside the renowned Dr. Gnanalingam on his pioneering research on Ionospheric Absorption. He subsequently proceeded to the University of Illinois, USA, where he obtained his PhD on Ionospheric Absorption as well. He then returned to the CISIR and joined Dr. S Gnanalingam to continue their work where they made much headway, where both he and Dr. Gnanalingam were internationally recognised experts in this field. In addition to their research work, they provided calibration and repair services to Sri Lankan institutions, such as hospitals, universities, industries and other R&D organisations that use sophisticated electrical and electronic equipment. On his return, he took a lead role in continuing and expanding these services. This service was not provided by any other recognized institution. On Dr. Gnanalingam’s retirement, in 1983, Dr. Ratnasiri became the Head of the Applied Physics and Electronics (AP&E) Section, and in 1985 became the Deputy Director for Physical Sciences.

I first met Dr. Ratnasiri when I joined the CISIR AP&E Section, in 1975, along with two others. He was the person who provided guidance and supervision to us and moulded our careers. He was always approachable, very helpful and pleasant. When I proceeded on my post graduate studies, he encouraged me to continue for a Ph.D and did everything in his power to get the required clearances and approvals. When I returned, he had the foresight to point out that I could use my knowledge to study the Geuda Heat Treatment process, though my expertise was in electrical properties of materials. This project went on to provide the CISIR with a patent as well as income from commercialisation of the process, demonstrating his lateral thinking ability. His guidance and assistance, not only on technical matters, but also on staff management and getting round the bureaucracy, stood me in good stead right through my CISIR career, as well as while developing a new career in Australia. I am forever grateful to him for that.

He was always interested in the wellbeing of the CISIR staff and held positions in many of its associations and even after retirement was instrumental in setting up the Association of Ex CISIR/ITI Staff, to keep together the staff after their retirement. He was the Founder President and active member of this Association.

In addition to his work within the CISIR, he was very much involved with the scientific and industrial community. He played a very active role in the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) and, in 2002, he was inaugurated as the General President of the SLAAS. He was a founder member of the Institute of Physics Sri Lanka (IPSL) and played a key role in developing it to the recognized organisation it is today and in recognition of his contribution, was elected the President of the IPSL in 1983. He provided his expertise to a number of other major scientific and industrial organisations, including the National Science Foundation (NSF).

On retirement, he served as the Chief Technical Advisor to the Environment Ministry where he worked on the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Reduction and was a key Sri Lankan delegate at Geneva. He also served as a Consultant to the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat where he was instrumental in developing the LNG Policy for Sri Lanka. He was keenly interested in Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection and Energy Policy, and wrote regularly on these subjects, especially Energy Policy. His articles were based very much on facts and knowing the man, he would have checked and double checked these as well as all his calculations before sending them to print. Among all this, he was for a long time the Hon. Treasurer of the Ceylon Association for the Mentally Retarded.

Something he was very proud of towards the later part of his life was his sustainable cinnamon plantation with the environmentally friendly house that he built somewhere close to Ratnapura. He was also highly knowledgeable in Sri Lanka’s geography and history. Whichever part of Sri Lanka you visit with him, he could explain the lay of the land, point out landmarks as well as explain the history of the place. He was always willing to share his expertise and knowledge, with work colleagues, friends and acquaintances, and anybody else that he could help. On one occasion, one of my nieces contacted him, without knowing of any connection to me, for some information on Sri Lankan Energy Policy for an assignment she was doing. He had straight away provided her with the required information, additional documentation, as well as guided her in understanding some complex concepts and terms. That is the kind of man he was.

It has been a great privilege to have associated with Dr. Ratnasiri, a real gentlemen, true scientist and a tireless campaigner for the wellbeing of others. He will be truly missed.

We offer our sincere condolences to his wife and other family members. May he attain nibbana.

Dr. Rohana Ediriweera