60 years of voluntary social service – a true son of Ananda
Over the past century the great Buddhist educational institution Ananda College Maradana, has been churning out products of great substance who have served the country with great distinction. However down that line comes the name that evokes affection and recognition — Anandians young and old have heard of the name Pandu Liyanage over the years.
Last week at the age of 85, Dr. Liyanage bade adieu to all his family and friends after a long and industrious life.
Dr.Pandu Liyanage
Panduka Deepal Pitigala Liyanage, better known as Dr. Pandu Liyanage, was a student of Ananda from January 1938 to August 1951. He was an all-round man, be it cricket, where is he was a member of the first Xl team, Athletics, Boxing, Drama and Cadetting.
He also had the unique ability to help encourage groups of young Anandians to collectively help the school.Once walking out of the school’s main gate he maintained a close association with his alma mater. He went on to be the President of the Ananda College Old Boys Association, the Senior Old Anandians Guild, the Old Anandians Sports Club and the Old Anandians Cricket Wing.
Apart from this he was the core person in organising four carnivals which resulted in the collection of Rs. 18 million towards the building of the Ananda College swimming pool. He was thus awarded ‘THE OLDCOTT CITATION’ for outstanding service to Ananda in 2012.
Dr. Pandu Liyanage’s association with sports in the country was not confined to Ananda College, and after leaving school he went on to represent the Sinhalese Sports Club in cricket and also led the SSC ‘A’ team in the lower divisions.
Thereafter he went on to serve as one of the vice presidents of the club and was made an honorary Life Member of the SSC.
Dr. Liyanage also served as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (now Sri Lanka Cricket) under the Chairmanship of Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Ceylon Turf Club.
Throughout his lifetime, he supported the state in a variety of key roles through which he effected significant progress and change.
These included functioning on the Board of Directors of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, from 2001 to 2003, and being appointed a Trustee of the National Health Development Trust Fund by past Health Ministers Dr. Ranjith Atapattu, AH M Fowzie and P Dayaratne.
He was also appointed Chairman of the Colombo North Multipurpose Co-operative Establishment, the largest Co-op in Sri Lanka with 900 employees, and 158 retail outlets.
Professionally, he was Chairman of the Holmes Group and the Alumex Group of Companies. But as he continuously proved, he was a man whose influence stretched well beyond the walls of the boardroom.
His contribution to the health and public sectors was recognized by the University for Complementary Medicine when it conferred upon him an honorary doctorate on July 10 1989.
Additionally, Dr. Liyanage possessed countless other interests and, like in everything else in his life, he excelled at these to the point of having his efforts rewarded with distinguished leadership roles.
He became National President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) 1969/70 and was adjudged Most Outstanding National President in Asia. Eventually he was to become a Jaycee Senator, which gave him life membership to the international organization.
From 1976 to 1977, Dr. Liyanage was Charter President of the Lions Club of Wellawatte West, moving on to become District Governor and see his Convention honoured by President J.R. Jayewardene.
His success is highlighted by the fact that he is the first Sri Lankan to be national leader of the Lions and Jaycees.
In a further reflection of his inspired leadership, Dr. Liyanage became Chairman of the National Sight First Project Committee to build an Eye Operating Theatre and Eye Ward for the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle. Previously, cataract operations were carried out twice a week in the General Operating Theatre, but following the ward’s opening such operations were conducted daily, clearing a backlog of 6000 patients in one and a half years.
In retrospect, all the diverse avenues Dr. Liyanage took in his life were pursued right to their fruitful end in journeys that were perpetually optimistic and selfless. And it is with this same optimism and sacrifice that his memory will forever resonate. – SRP