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Dr. Dharmawansa Senadhira: Rice breeder par Excellence

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Appreciation

This is the 23rd anniversary of the shocking and tragic death of Dr. Dharmawansa Senadhira, Rice Breeder of excellence. The time was 5.15 p.m on that fateful day of 07th July, 1998. A group of around 40 scientists attending the Workshop on ” Evaluation and Dissemination of New Technologies for Increasing the production of Flood-prone Rice Lands of South of South and Southeast Asia”, on 8-9 July,1998, were returning to Dhaka in two buses, after a field trip to the research site at Kuliachan in Kishereganj district.

The two buses were swiftly plying on the Narsingdi-Dhaka Highway. Fatefully, one bus which was also carrying Dr. Dharmawansa Senadhira (Sena as we affectionately called him), who was the then leader of the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI’s) Flood-Prone Research Programme, was involved in an accident at Narsingdi about two hours from Dhaka. The bus driver had overtaken another vehicle, but had not completely returned to his lane, when he encountered a truck approaching from the opposite direction, reportedly driving on to the middle of the road. The bus driver tried to return to his lane, but did not completely clear out of the truck’s path.

The impact of the collision had loosened a long iron bar from the sidewall of the truck, which penetrated the bus at about the level of the headlight. It missed the driver but went in the path of the passengers seated behind him, near the window. The bar grazed past a scientist seated in the first row, slicing off flesh from his buttocks. The projectile then curved upwards and went past another scientist seated in the second row without hitting him directly. It bruised the shoulder of a third scientist, seated behind, but broke his legs as the seat in front of him collapsed. After doing all that damage and as fate would have its course, the projectile curved upward and hit Sena seated in the 4th row, just above his nose in between the eyes and crushed his forehead. After this deadly blow, the bar got deflected upward, sparing the other passengers seated behind.

Sena was pinned in between the seats and Dr. M.P. Dhanapala (Dhane – Sena’s colleague and Award-winning Rice Breeder) who was seated next to him had no injuries except the ensuing terrible shock, and he could not do much except feel Sena’s pulse and witness him pass away within a few minutes, seated next to him. Thus ended the life of a great human being and a world renowned scientist that shocked the whole rice world and the scientific community. Twenty three years have passed since this tragic event and memories about Sena linger on. I thought it is nothing but right to place on record an appreciation about Sena, who was a good friend of mine and many others, and had contributed so much toward rice research in Sri Lanka and the rice world.

Having entered the then University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, in 1963, Sena graduated in 1967 with a B.Sc (Agriculture), second upper degree. In 1968, he joined the Department of Agriculture for his chosen profession as a Research Officer and was attached to the then Central Rice Breeding Station (CRBS), Bathalagoda, as a Rice Breeder. Sena was a research scholar at IRRI in 1969 and during his stint there, the IRRI scientists reportedly had been impressed with his hard work, dedication and friendly personality, and had in fact identified him as a researcher with much potential, at that early stage in his career. In 1972, under a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship arranged by late Mr. William Golden, an alumnus from IRRI, he proceeded to the University of California, where he earned his M.S.degree in Genetics (1974) and Ph.D degree in Genetics (1976) in record time. In 1976, Sena returned to the Department of Agriculture and served as Senior Plant Breeder at CRBS (1976-79), before being appointed as Deputy Director of Agriculture for Research (1980-84).

Dr. Senadhira was one of the most successful Rice Breeders in Sri Lanka, and his initial mentor was Dr. Hector Weeraratne, Senior Plant Breeder at the CRBS, of “H4” fame; and Sena took over the leadership of the rice breeding programme in Sri Lanka in 1976. Since then, several new improved high yielding rice varieties such as Bg 34-8, Bg 90-2 and Bg 94-2 among others were developed under his leadership. He accomplished this task through utilising plant breeding technology, and his inherent knack for rice plant selection from among the progenies that he generated, in association with his team of scientists at Bathalagoda. The rice varieties thus developed were widely adopted in Sri Lanka, and some of them spread across to several countries in Asia and Africa. The wide scale adoption of the new improved rice varieties in Sri Lanka was a very significant factor that contributed to phenomenal increases in rice production in the country, pushing up production of rice from 0.8 million tons in 1966 to 3.2 million tons in 1985, a four fold increase over a 20-year period. In recognition of Dr. Senadhira’s invaluable contributions to rice production in Sri Lanka, he was honoured with the President’s Award for Scientific Achievement in 1982 and the CERES Medal from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1983.

Dr. M.P. Dhanapala, another Award winning Rice Breeder, was there to take his place, when in 1985, IRRI, which had identified Sena’s potential when he was a research scholar there, way back in 1969, and followed up on his achievements in Sri Lanka, invited him to join (IRRI) as an Associate Plant Breeder in the Plant Breeding Department. In recognition of his work at IRRI, Sena was promoted as Plant Breeder in 1990 and was also appointed as Programme Leader of the Flood-Prone Rice Research Ecosystem in 1995, and he concurrently served as Liaison Scientist for Thailand. Sena also served as research adviser to 10 MS and 7 Ph.D scholars from various countries in Asia.

Dr. Senadhira’s achievements over the 13 years he served IRRI were remarkable. He spearheaded the institute’s rice breeding programme for less favourable lands with soil problems, flood prone environments, as well as for areas subject to low temperature conditions. He initiated a major effort to develop high yielding varieties for saline, acid sulphate and peaty soils. It is reported that using molecular marker aided selection, Sena combined different genes together and developed a germplasm with high level of salinity tolerance. He was also developing improved germplasm with flooding tolerance and had conceptualized a new plant type for deepwater conditions, and developed numerous breeding lines with this ideotype, by which time death snatched him away. In addition to breeding rice for unfavourable environments, another area of interest to Sena, which should be taken note of by researchers, was to increase the nutritive value of rice; as rice is the staple food of the major part of the population in Asia, contributing immensely to the nutrition requirements, especially those of the low income categories in the Asian region. In this endeavour, Dr. Senadhira had noted that many poor people who obtain most of their energy requirements from rice, suffer from micronutrient deficiencies such as those of iron and zinc, and in his quest for research he found that some primitive rice varieties have double the amount of iron and zinc. Accordingly, breeding programmes had been initiated using these varieties, and the breeding materials thus developed were being evaluated as varietal possibilities.

On a personal level, Sena was known to me from 1965 onwards as a senior colleague at the Faculty of Agriculture, of the then University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. He was a very simple and an unassuming person with humane qualities, and was a popular figure at the Faculty of Agriculture, as well as at Marrs Hall where we resided. He was kind hearted, very helpful and never in a mighty hurry, and always calm and quiet. Sena was also a man of a few words, which were made to the point and very specific, and he lent a quiet efficiency to whatever he did. He carried these inherent desirable qualities on to his working life as a great scientist.

It is hard to replace a man like Sena, who was humane to the core and his untimely and premature demise during the peak of his career as a truly international scientist was a big loss, not only to Sri Lanka, but also to all rice producing countries and the rice research community worldwide. He was known to all as a friend who was humane and down to earth, who were in constant touch with him, and his surviving brothers and sister.

Dear Sena, May God Bless you., and May you attain whatever eternal peace that you would have sought as a true Buddhist.

 

 

A. BEDGAR PERERA

Retd. Director/Agricultural Development

Ministry of Agriculture

bedgarperera@gmail.com

 



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Opinion

Imagining what the Buddha looked like

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A Buddha statue

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

How would the Buddha have looked like in real life?” This question was posed by Prof. Asanga Thilakaratna, the Chief Editor of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, during one of the two analytical lectures delivered at the launch of the Sinhala translation of Bhante Dhammika’s ‘unusual’ biography of the Buddha “Footprints in the Dust”, by Venerable Kudagammana Seelarathana, on 8th January at the Nagananda Buddhist Institute in Kelaniya. “The image we get by looking at numerous sculptures, drawings and paintings of the Buddha as a plump, round faced individual may be far from the reality. After all, the Buddha went through a period of extreme starvation prior to attaining enlightenment and had a hard life, as well illustrated in this realistic biography” he commented prior to posing this question. As the title itself indicates, the Buddha travelled the length and breadth of ancient India on foot, most likely barefoot. Prof. Thilakaratna highlighted the uniqueness of this biography and pointed out the high quality of the translation by stating that when one reads Venerable Seelarathana’s work one does not get the feel that it is a translation.

No one who had seen the Buddha during life has made an accurate record of what He looked like and for centuries after Parinibbana, the Buddha was depicted in symbols. He never encouraged idol worship and named the Dhamma as His successor. He wanted us to tread the path shown but what have we done instead? We have made the Buddha supernatural and the deification is seen in all paintings and sculptures. Instead of following the Dhamma, we have wrapped it around in rituals and produced the religion of Buddhism, supplanting the philosophy, metaphysics and science of Buddha’s teachings.

The first sculptural depictions of the Buddha were made around the first century BCE, probably by Greek sculptors, in Gandhara region, currently in Afghanistan and Pakistan where once flourishing Buddhist civilisation has been replaced by Islamic culture. From then onwards, Buddha started being depicted in various parts of the world where Buddhism spread, giving the Buddha the appearance of that particular area. This is no surprise as Buddhism was a ‘religion’ that was interpreted through the lens of the culture of each respective area. The answer to Prof Thilakaratna’s question is that it probably is an almost impossible task but by reading Bhante Dhammika’s book, or the excellent Sinhala translation Duwille Renduna Piyasatahan by Venerable Seelarathana, we can imagine how the Buddha operated during his lifetime.

Although I was not able to be physically present, thanks to modern technology I was able to watch the proceedings on a Zoom broadcast and it was a gratifying moment for me.

In an article titled “Is there a need for another ‘Life of the Buddha’?” (The Island, 28 May 2022), I wrote the following:

“Bhante Shravasti Dhammika of Australia, a prolific writer, who has authored many books, keeps us informed of various aspects of Buddhism by his regular contributions to The Island and the Sunday Island. Thanks to an introduction by my good friend Tissa Devendra, I have been in regular touch with Bhante Dhammika and turn to him whenever I have a question on Buddhism. When he sent me a soft copy of his latest book, “Footprints in the Dust”, which carries the subtitle, “The Life of the Buddha from the Most Ancient Sources”, I asked myself, ‘Is there a need for yet another Life of the Buddha’? After all, there’s plenty to choose from!”

In fact, the other analytical presentation at this event was by Venerable Uduhawara Ananda, Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist studies of the University of Colombo, who traced the lineage of biographies of the Buddha from ancient times to modern, emphasising the differences of Bhante Dhammika’s work, confirming what I stated in my piece:

“My doubts regarding the need for another biography of the Buddha started to melt away, as soon as I started reading this absorbing book with very realistic analysis of events. In fact, the book deals with much more than the title suggests and is an analysis of the life and the times of the Buddha. Most books on Buddha’s life are written with a reverential than an analytical attitude and do not put the prevailing conditions in India in context. These are the two major differences and the great strength of this monograph. Though some traditional Buddhists may not agree with Bhante Dhammika’s interpretations, as he is not shy in pointing out exaggerations, I have no disagreements whatsoever and have come to know the Buddha better; as an extraordinary human being, far ahead of his time who led a very simple life, walking barefoot across India, disseminating His message.”

Having written thus, I was convinced that Sinhala readers too should have the opportunity to explore this wonderful work but even before I could make this suggestion, Bhante Dhammika contacted me to find out whether I could translate or find a suitable translator. I had to admit that I had not inherited the translation abilities of my late father but was able to suggest Venerable Seelarathana on the basis of an excellent translation he made of an article of mine on the genius of Karunaratna Abeysekara. Though I am yet to meet Venerable Seelarathana, who is resident in the USA, I have learned since about his very significant contribution to Sinhala literature.

At the request of Bhante Dhammika, when I made the proposal, Venerable Seelarathana readily accepted the challenge and offered to be in contact with Bhante Dhammika and as they say ‘rest is history’. The proceedings commenced with Bhante Dhammika joining via Zoom from Australia to confer his blessings and I am much obliged to him for calling me the facilitator, though he got my name mixed up as Upali! Perhaps, Upali resonated better for Bhante Dhammika as Arahant Upali was one of the chief disciples of the Buddha, who specialised in monastic discipline. However, in Sri Lankan politics I have been occasionally confused with the great Upali Wijewardena. Then Upali wanted to contest a general election from Kamburupitiya and many thought it was me, as my father had contested from that electorate!

The two lectures delivered by Venerable Uduhawara Anada and Prof. Asanga Thilakaratna were masterful discourses and I hope that Venerable Seelarathana will be able to find time to translate them into English.

I do hope the Sinhala readers will extend a warm welcome to this valuable translation and no doubt it would evoke much discussion as some of the facts may go against the traditionally held beliefs, but it is high time we started appreciating the achievements of the Buddha as that of a human being; a supreme one at that, even though we cannot imagine what he looked like!

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Opinion

When absolute power corrupts absolutely

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Only Americans can elect a maverick like Donald Trump as President a second time to take office as the 47th President.

Dozens of countries have expressed “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on its staff. A majority of member states, including the UK, Germany and France, said that the ICC was “a vital pillar of the international justice system”. Trump announced the sanctions after hosting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – the first foreign leader to visit him since returning to power. Last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza – which Israel denies – as well as for a Hamas commander. The US has condemned the court’s “shameful moral equivalency” between Israel and Hamas.

The US and Israel do not recognise the authority of the ICC, the only global court with powers to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It has also previously launched investigations into US citizens. The ICC counts 125 member states around the world, including the UK and many European nations. The UK, France and Germany were among the 79 signatories to a joint statement issued on Friday to condemn Trump’s executive order. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy were conspicuous by their absence! The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. US President Donald Trump has announced sanctions against the court, which he accuses of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”. They are partners in crime! The court, based in the Dutch city of The Hague, was established in 2002 to hold rogue leaders responsible for atrocities to account. World leaders had increasingly pushed for its creation in the wake of the Yugoslav wars and the Rwandan Genocide. It is a court of last resort, intervening only when national authorities cannot, or will not, prosecute. It can only deal with crimes committed after 1 July 2002, when the Rome Statute – which established the court – came into force.

The Rome Statute has been ratified by 125 countries, including the UK and many European nations. More than 30 others have signed and may ratify it in the future.

However, the US and Israel are not members of the ICC. Judges at the court said there were “reasonable grounds” that Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif bore “criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity”.

The Rome Statute has been ratified by 125 countries, including the UK and many European nations. More than 30 others have signed and may ratify it in the future.

It is sheer hypocrisy to see how the so called democracies condemn unequivocally invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia while illegal occupation of Palestine by Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is acceptable to Trump who seems to think he owns USA to do whatever he wants! Fair to say all the same some aspects of his political agenda under the caption of “America First” – deport illegal immigrants, to impose heavy tariffs to contain China flooding the world with its manufactured goods, etc., do make sense. But, as leader of the world’s richest country, he cannot behave like a loose cannon!

Sunil Dharmabandhu
Wales, UK

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Opinion

The Birth of the Harry Jayawardena Empire (1977)

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Harry Jayawardena

When I heard of the death of Harry Jayawardena, I remember the reaction of my father when he heard of the death of H.V.Perera , a legend of the legal profession in post independence days. My father H.A.J Hulugalle spluttered “A mighty oak has fallen”. I felt very much the same when I heard of Harry’s death.

It feels almost ridiculous for an 87-year-old like myself to write an appreciation of Harry Jayawardena. He was such an overwhelming public figure. My main qualification for doing this is that I saw his ascent over 48 years.

Not many knew of him back then in 1977, though some may have recognized him as the dynamic Manager in the Consolexpos’ Tea Department.

Harry, like my brother Haris Hulugalle, was a strong supporter of Mrs. Bandaranaike’s policies and stood by her through thick and thin.

While working for Mrs. Bandaranaike, especially during the 1977 election, my brother Haris could see Harry’s exceptional abilities. But after Mrs. Bandaranaike’s party was routed by the UNP, Harry knew his days as the Manager at Consolexpo were numbered. Feeling disheartened and demoralized, he confided in Haris about his uncertain future.

Harry was brought into our office and reassured, “If you cannot return to Consolexpo, we will help you start your own tea business.” Harry’s concern was, “But where will we get the money, Sir?” he asked us. “We’ll find it. Just come to our office, and we’ll give you some chairs and tables, and you can start working right away if you have the business to back it.” Our office was at “Holywell”, 90, Galle Road Kollupitiya, a hundred year old dilapidated office built by the Steuarts. Today, Seylan Bank has replaced “Holywell” with a modern office Building.

Harry accepted the invitation and 13 members of his staff from Consolexpo were housed in a hall in relatively simple surroundings in our humble but vibrant office. This was 1977 and life was in any case much simpler.

Barely, 10 days before Harry passed away, he telephoned me and spoke about those days. He told me that he missed Haris very much. Did Harry have the premonition that his days were numbered and he was going to meet Haris elsewhere?

Harry throughout his business career claimed that it was Haris who had inspired him on his business trajectory. There is some element of truth in this. Haris was born on the March 3, 1930, birthday of C.H. de Soysa. Dr D.E. Wijewardene, brother of D.R.Wijewardene, a leading gynecologist while delivering the baby proclaimed “C.H. de Soysa is reborn”.

Harry and Haris had a common interest in business and that was to create businesses for the common betterment.

At that time Haris and I operated a successful printing and publishing establishment which enabled us to support Harry on his new venture. Haris had recognized Harry as a genius, way beyond his own capacity.

At that stage, there were three matters that had to be attended to at the Sri Lankan end. They were 1) formation of a company, 2) relationship with a Bank and 3) a license to trade in tea for export.

To form a company, we needed a name. We asked Harry “What are your names?”

“Harold” said Harry.

Harry Jayawardana (right) with Haris Hulugalle (left) at a wedding reception. The bridegroom is in the center

“That won’t do. Have you any other names?” said Haris.

“Yes, I am Don Harold Stassen” came the answer.

The quick reply was “Stassen it has to be”. So the name was accepted without any further discussion. The name of this future conglomerate was born.

The next move was to establish a relationship with the Bank. The relationship with the new government was hostile towards Harry. No State Bank would touch him.

Harry and V.P.Vittachi, who later was Chairman of Stassens went to the Commercial Bank. There they drew a blank. Co-laterals were asked for leading to a refusal of granting a facility.

I then went with Harry to the DGM Hatton National Bank, L.S.D.Peiris. Peiris listened to the young Harry, who Sir d him from beginning to the end of the conversation. Harry had Letters of Credit from first class Middle Eastern Banks. Another DGM, Gaston Goonewardene was brought into the discussion and the deal was sealed.

The facility given was Rs 250,000 Overdraft and Rs 1,000,000 packing credit. Ten years later Harry took control of the Bank as its Chairman.

I am not familiar with the story of the Tea License. That I understand would have been negotiated by V.P. Vittachi using his civil service connection to Ronnie de Mel, the Minister Of Finance.

Many others will have interesting narratives about the birth of Stassens. What I touch here is what I saw firsthand. Harry Jayawardena created an Empire which was in the league of C.H. de Soysa (who owned 80,000 acres of land) and other outstanding entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

I will deeply miss Harry, his sincerity and friendship. He was a devout Catholic, his faith served as the intellectual and spiritual foundation that fueled his dynamism. He cherished his family—his wife, Priya, and their three children.

Arjuna Hulugalle

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