This year marks a significant milestone as we commemorate the 35th death anniversary of a titan in the field of education, Professor J. E. Jayasuriya. While his name is etched onto the covers of countless textbooks and cited in every major policy document in Sri Lanka, the man behind the name remains a mystery to many. To honour his legacy, we are joined today for a special commemorative interview. This is a slightly expanded version of the interview with Professor Elsie Kothelawala. As a former student who rose to become a close professional colleague, she offers a rare, personal glimpse into his life during his most influential years at the University of Peradeniya.

Dr. S. N. Jayasinghe – Professor Kothelawala, to begin our tribute, could you tell us about the early years of Professor J. E. Jayasuriya? Where did his journey start?

Prof. Elsie Kothelawala – He was born on February 14, 1918, in Ahangama. His primary education actually began at Nawalapitiya Anuruddha Vidyalaya. He then moved to Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda and eventually transitioned to Wesley College in Colombo. He was a brilliant student, in 1933, he came third in the British Empire at the Cambridge Senior Examination. This earned him a scholarship to University College, Colombo, where he graduated in 1939 with a First-Class degree in Mathematics.

Q: – His professional rise was meteoric. Could you trace his work life from school leadership into high academia?

A: – It was a blend of school leadership and pioneering academia. At just 22, he was the first principal of Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya. He later served as Deputy Principal of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura.

A turning point came when Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara invited him to lead the new central school in the Minister’s own electorate, Matugama Central College. Later, he served as Principal of Wadduwa Central College. In 1947, he traveled to London for advanced studies at the Institute of Education, University of London. There, he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and a Master of Arts in Education. Upon returning, he became a lecturer in mathematics at the Government Teachers’ Training College in Maharagama. He joined the University of Ceylon’s Faculty of Education as a lecturer in 1952 and later, in 1957, he advanced to the role of Professor of Education. Professor J. E. Jayasuriya was the first Sri Lankan to hold the position of Professor of Education and lead the Department of Education at the University of Ceylon.

The commencement of this department was a result of a proposal from the Special Committee of Education in 1943, commonly known as the Kannangara Committee.

Q: – We know he left the university in 1971. Can you tell us about his work for the United Nations and UNESCO?

A: – That was a massive chapter in his life. After retiring from Peradeniya, he went global. He moved to Bangkok to serve as the Regional Advisor on Population Education for UNESCO. He spent five years traveling across Asia, to countries like Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, helping them build their educational frameworks from the ground up.

Even after that, his relationship with the United Nations continued. He returned to Sri Lanka and served as a United Nations Advisor to the Ministry of Education for two years. He was essentially a global consultant, bringing the lessons he learned in Sri Lanka to the rest of the world.

Q: – How did you personally come to know him, and what was the nature of your professional relationship?

A: – I first encountered him at Peradeniya during my Diploma in Education and later my MA. He personally taught me Psychology, and I completed my postgraduate studies under his direct supervision. He was notoriously strict, but it was a strictness born out of respect for the subject. The tutorials were the highlight. Every day, he would select one student’s answer and read it to the class. It kept us on our toes! He relied heavily on references, and his guidance was always “on point.” After my MA, he encouraged me to apply for a vacancy in the department. Even as a lecturer, he supervised me, I had to show him my lecture notes before entering a hall.

Q: – He sounds quite imposing! Was there any room for humor in his classroom?

A: – He had a very sharp, dry wit. Back then, there was a fashion where ladies pinned their hair in high, elaborate piles. He once remarked, “Where there is nothing inside, they will pile it all up on the outside.” Needless to say, that hairstyle was never seen in his class again!

Q: – Looking at the 1960s and 70s, what reforms did he promote that were considered innovative for that time?

A: – As Chairman of the National Education Commission (1961), he was a visionary. He promoted the Neighborhood School Concept to end the scramble for prestige schools. He also proposed a Unified National System of education and argued for a flexible school calendar. He believed holidays should vary by region, matching agricultural harvest cycles so rural children wouldn’t have to miss school.

Q: – One of his major contributions was in “Intelligence Testing.” How did he change that field?

A: – He felt Western IQ tests were culturally biased. He developed the National Education Society Intelligence Test, the first standardized test in national languages, and adapted the Raven’s Non-Verbal Test for Sri Lankan children. He wanted to measure raw potential fairly, regardless of a child’s social or linguistic background.

Q: – How would you describe his specific contribution to the transition to national languages in schools?

A: – He didn’t just support the change, he made it possible. When English was replaced as the medium of instruction, there was a desperate lack of materials. He authored 12 simplified Mathematics textbooks in Sinhala, including the Veeja Ganithaya (Algebra) and Seegra Jyamithiya (Geometry) series. He ensured that “language” would no longer be a barrier to “logic.”

Q: – After his work with the UN and UNESCO, why did he become known as the “Father of Population Education”?

A: – While in Bangkok, he developed the conceptual framework for Population Education for the entire Asian region. He helped dozens of countries integrate population dynamics into their school curricula. He saw that education wasn’t just about reading and writing, it was about understanding the social and demographic realities of one’s country.

Q: – Madam, can you recall how Professor Jayasuriya’s legacy was honoured?

A: – Professor Jayasuriya was truly a unique personality. He was actually one of the first Asians to be elected as a Chartered Psychologist in the U.K., and his lectures on educational psychology and statistics were incredibly popular. During his time at the University of Ceylon, he held significant leadership roles, serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and even as acting Vice Chancellor. His impact was so profound that the Professor J. E. Jayasuriya Memorial Lecture Theatre at the Faculty of Education in Peradeniya was named in his honor.

Beyond his institutional roles, he received immense recognition for his service, including honorary D. Lit and D. Sc degrees from the University of Colombo and the Open University, respectively. Perhaps his most global contribution was his ‘quality of life’ approach to population education developed for UNESCO in the mid-1970s. As O. J. Sikes of UNFPA noted in the International Encyclopedia on Education, it became the predominant teaching method across Asia and is still considered the fastest-growing approach to the subject worldwide.

Q: – Finally, what is the most profound message from his life that today’s educators and policymakers should carry forward?

A: – The lesson is intellectual integrity. When the government’s 1964 White Paper distorted his 1961 recommendations for political gain, he didn’t stay silent, he wrote Some Issues in Ceylon Education to set the record straight.

He believed education was a birthright, not a competitive filter. Today’s policymakers must learn that education policy should be driven by pedagogical evidence, not political expediency. As our conversation came to a close, Professor Elsie Kothelawala sat back, a reflective smile on her face. It became clear that while Professor J. E. Jayasuriya was a man of rigid logic, and uncompromising discipline, his ultimate goal was deeply human, the upliftment of every Sri Lankan child.

Thirty-five years after his passing, his presence is still felt, not just in the archives of UNESCO or the halls of Peradeniya, but in the very structure of our classrooms. He was a pioneer who taught us that education is the most powerful tool for social mobility, provided it is handled with honesty. As we commemorate this 35th memorial, perhaps the best way to honor his legacy is not just by remembering his name, but by reclaiming his courage, the courage to put the needs of the student above the convenience of the system.

Professor Jayasuriya’s life reminds us that a true educator’s work is never finished, it lives on in the teachers he trained, the policies he shaped, and the national intellect he helped ignite.

by the Secretary J.E.Jayasuriya Memorial Foundation : Dr S.N Jayasinghe

“JVP candidates in our alliance – though less known thn SLFPers – seemed to draw a substantial number of votes”

The patent lack of sincerity of the LTTE and the UNP’s failure to achieve success in its peace strategy was exposed by Lakshman Kadirgamar. He was particularly concerned about the LTTE’s plan to capture Trincomalee by encircling this vital port. At first LK warned Ranil confidentially of this perilous situation on the instructions of CBK. But since that was of no avail we decided to go public at my weekly press conference.

The authorized biography of CBK describes this situation thus; “Although the LTTE had finally dropped its unrealistic demand for an independent Tamil state, Wickremesinghe had begun negotiating the finer points of a more open federal structure with the group. To some it was an arrangement that increasingly seemed to promise nothing less than the independent state the LTTE always wanted. It was an issue that continued to divide the President and Prime Minister. On December 4, 2003 CBK decided to rein in the process. She dismissed the Ministers of Defence, Interior and Information bringing their portfolios under her charge, suspending Parliament and then one day later declaring a state of emergency”.

Though some in the UNP thought that there would be blood on the streets Ranil acquiesced in this situation. Cabinet meetings continued for several months more in this tense manner. With DM Jayaratne being the nominal Minister of Information I interacted closely with Rupavahini and started a weekly programme discussing global and local news with Chandrasekera, a popular programme specialist, as the host.

Many viewers were intrigued that a former Minister could discuss important issues weekly on TV amidst growing antipathy between the two parties then in “cohabitation”. During this period Ranil encouraged Mahinda Rajapaksa to establish his own credentials as a way of undercutting CBK. The latter was afforded special protocol recognition and facilities for travel, including helicopter rides, while CBK could only watch with horror. Her attempt to retain Ratnasiri as Leader of the Opposition failed because the UNP had used members of his family to persuade him to immediately leave for Bangkok so that he was not available for selection.

His state of mind was so confused that he sent a letter of resignation to CBK and left for Bangkok without meeting her and even without leaving his address in Bangkok fearing that he would be asked to change his mind. Now Ranil and Mahinda were on the same page and she was left feeling betrayed and alone.

General election

Both sides knew that a general election was near. It was declared to be held on April 2, 2004. The PA contested it in an alliance with the JVP under the banner of United People’s Freedom Alliance [UPFA]. To coordinate our publicity campaign Mano Tittawella, Mangala, LK, myself and Tara de Mel were appointed by CBK. Triad – a new trail blazing advertising company well known for its thinking out of the box, was entrusted with the professional aspects of the campaign and they launched the “Rata Perata” publicity programe which was a tremendous success.

Dilith Jayaweera led the Triad team. Tissa Abeysekera made several effective one minute ads with the title “Who is responsible?” focusing on corruption and mismanagement by the UNP administration. Our campaign was coordinated with the JVP through Wimal Weerawansa who was their information chief. From the beginning we were on a roll drawing large crowds and getting the support of the local media.

One noteworthy observation was that the JVP candidates in our alliance seemed to draw a substantial number of votes even though they were hardly known in their electorates when compared to our candidates. They were heading for winning a record number of seats. We ran an effective campaign based on criticizing the “elitism” of the UNP and its leader. On the other hand the UNP presented itself as the “peace party”. But we were able to engineer a splendid victory.

Election Results (2004)

The all island results of the 2004 election were as follows:

UPFA – 4,223,970 [45. 6 Percent ] 105 seats

UNF – 3,504,200 [37. 8 percent] 82 seats

TA (Tamil Alliance) – 633,654 [6. 8 percent ] 22 seats

JHU – 552,724 [5.9 percent] 9 seats

SLMC – 186,876 [2.0 percent] 5 seats

In the Kandy district the distribution of seats were as follows; UPFA [6]; UNF [5]; JHU [1].

The successful candidates from the SLFP within the UPFA [excluding the JVP] were as follows:

M Aluthgamage 82,036

Sarath Amunugama 78,881

DM Jayaratne 66,669

Again in this election I had improved on my earlier performance though not in such large margins as in earlier elections. There was little doubt that JVP had eaten into the SLFP vote base in the UPFA. Throughout the country unknown JVP candidates headed the UPFA list even over veterans like Jayaratne who had staked claims to be PM according to party seniority. It was in this back ground that CBK began to make the new Cabinet which was for the first time to have a substantial input from the JVP.

Even at the beginning there were misunderstandings. While the Cabinet was to comprise of 31 ministers of whom four were from the JVP [Equally there were to be 31 Deputy Ministers of whom four were from the JVP] a controversy arose over the powers of the Mahaweli Minister Maithripala Sirisena vis-a-vis the JVP’s Agriculture Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

In a show of strength the JVP boycotted the swearing in of the Cabinet on April 6. However after frantic negotiations a satisfactory solution was found and they took their oaths on April 9 thereby beginning a new chapter in Sri Lankan politics. The JVP Ministers were AKD [Agriculture], Vijitha Herath [Culture], Lal Kantha [Small Industries] and Wijesinghe [Fisheries].

By a noteworthy coincidence this was very much like the allocation of ministries in a power sharing arrangement that President Premadasa had offered the JVP if they would call off their violence at the beginning of his tenure. Another significant feature was that I was appointed the new Minister of Finance in the CBK cabinet. Lakshman Kadirgamar was reappointed as Minister of External Affairs. In parliamentary tradition the two key cabinet positions are Finance and External affairs.

(Excerpted from Volume 3 of the Sarath Amunugama autobiography)

There is a very picturesque jogging track in Perth’s Applecross Foreshore. It hugs the Swan River, running from Raffles Hotel near Canning Bridge and wending its way for ten kilometres to Point Walter in Bicton. Nature conjures assorted scenic views for the eyes to feast on at all times of the day, as you traverse the track. The sunsets are especially brilliant. The company of graceful swans and cygnets floating elegantly over their own shadows on the water is a sight to behold. And on some occasions, dolphins playfully flipping in the water. The river flows to the Indian Ocean at Fremantle, the Port City and neighbour of Bicton.

At any given time, while daylight prevails, there will be a mix of joggers, walkers and cyclists traversing this track. And their pace determined by their respective ages or that of their canine companions. These four-legged users of the track, by law, have to be on a leash, be they mongrels or pedigreed. And their droppings removed by the owners. A practice in Australia from times immemorial, but brought into Paris only about three years ago to cleanse the city of the “poo” creating havoc for joggers and pedestrians.

It is the norm, as in any country, to nod in polite acknowledgment of the other’s presence when people meet one another going the opposite direction, whilst exercising. I have been fortunate to make many acquaintances since 2006, when I first started using the Applecross Foreshore for my walk or jog. The Shire also offers gratis a well-equipped outdoor gymnasium.

In late autumn 2019, ahead of me was a middle-aged couple striding with their two dogs on leash. Sneaking up behind them, I whispered aloud, “Your dogs remind me of Bradman’s field setting for Lindwall”. The man’s amused response was “Why do you say that?” My response “Four short legs, with the balls swinging both ways!” This was a pun hailing from cricketing lore that I came across at school and retained in my memory as only a cricketing buff would. Clearly, it struck a chord and he said, “My father would have loved the joke.”

We got chatting, with his partner Melanie joining in. Kevin related that his late father had started out as the Dressing Room Attendant of the West Australian Cricket Association grounds, the famous WACA grounds in Perth. He graduated to be the Dressing Room Manager at the time of his retirement in the 1990s and had hobnobbed with many well-known cricketers. Kevin then asked whether I would like to come home with them so that he could show me his cricketing memorabilia. Their well-appointed home was on The Strand, the swanky avenue overlooking the river with panoramic views of the City of Perth across the water. The house had a dedicated room for cricketing memorabilia which included:

= An autographed bat that Bradman had used in a Sheffield Shield game in the 1940s

= Some boundary pegs from the inaugural Test Match at WACA in 1970, England vs Australia, where the debutante Greg Chappell scored a century

= Bats signed by visiting Test teams from Australia, England, West Indies, India and Pakistan

= Replica bat signed by Tony Mann, on his debut Test century against India in 1978 during the breakaway Packer series when the leading players walked out on official Tests. (This series triggered the high earnings of cricketers who were previously on very low wages.)

= A ball used by Graham McKenzie at the inaugural Test match at the WACA

= A pair of gloves signed by Rod Marsh and a ball signed by Dennis Lillie; and

= Numerous other souvenirs including significant newspaper cuttings and Wisden Editions from the 1940s.

For a cricket fanatic this was manna from heaven.

During the second quarter of 2020, I read in the newspapers that the property-owning Real Estate Agents, Melanie and Kevin Atree sold their house in Applecross for a mere A$ 11.4 million!

Penny pinching by the Scots

The Rugby World Cup in 1991 was played in the United Kingdom. It is also the game made in heaven according to the purists. I loved the rendition of “Flower of Scotland” prior to the start of a Scotland match. Like many, I also preferred this rendition to that of the national anthem “Scotland the Brave”. The Scottish fans would join in to make any rendition memorable.

Scots have been renowned for their thriftiness and ‘no wonder” as you will see from the following story.

As the Internet nor Google had not come at the time, I wrote to the Scottish Association of Western Australia via snail mail requesting the words of “Flower of Scotland” before the World Cup began. I received a post-paid reply about a week later. Opened the letter in anticipation, and following was the text:

Dear Mr Kodituwakku Please send us a “postage paid, stamped envelope” with your address for us to send you the words of “Flower of Scotland”. Yours sincerely Signed by the Secretary of Scottish Association of WA.

I could only laugh aloud at the absurdity of a Scot carrying out his thriftiness a bit too far, After laughing I threw the letter away, but sent another letter with a stamped envelope enclosed. What a pity I did not have the foresight of Mr Atree (Senior) to hold on to the letter, as it would have fetched a sizeable sum today. I could have sent it to the Scottish Association of WA, to be displayed against their memorabilia.

For those who love that song, Flower of Scotland, here is the refrain, gratis from Google!

Oh Flower Of Scotland, When will we see, your like again That fought and died for Yer wee bit hill and glen And stood against him Proud Edward’s army And sent him homeward Tae think again

(Excerpted from an anthology of memoirs by Nihal Kodituwakku)