The old saying, popular among Sanskrit readers goes, "A scholar is respected all over the world." Professor, S.B. Hettiaratchi, who is being felicitated for his achievements and contributions on a national and international level embodies this maxim.
Amongst the events at this function will be the dedication of a felicitation volume consisting of research articles by learned academics in his honour, his Sinhala translation of Manak Gatha, an anthology of verses written by the Most Ven. Cho Oh-hyun, a famous Zen master of Korea, and conferring of the Cho Oh-hyun award 2010 with the title of Mahapragna on him by the Manhae Foundation of Korea.
Manhae was a Korean war hero who led the Monks' Brigade during the struggle for freedom from 1910-1945. The Manhae Foundation was established in honour of him. The Chief Guest at the ceremony is Dr. Choi Ki chul, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and the guest speaker Dr. Roland Silva, Chancellor of the Moratuwa University. The felicition ceremony will be chaired by Professor Ven. Bellanwila Wimalaratna Nayaka Thera, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
S.B. Hettiaratchi mastered the oriental classical languages of Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit at an early age and became a Pandit degree holder.
While being engaged in traditional studies, he learnt English. This foundation of deep knowledge in both oriental and Western language families and his erudite scholarship made him acceptable to the world community of academics. He specialized in History, gaining his M.A. at Vidyodaya and Ph.D. from the London University.
The Government of Sri Lanka obtained his services for the UNESCO-Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle Abhayagiri Project in addition to his responsibilities in the University. He worked there from 1980-1992 initially as an Assistant Director and later as Director.
Professor Hettiaratchi was associated with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura from 1960-2005 as a student, lecturer, etc culminating in being appointed as Vice-Chancellor. He was the first alumnus to hold the coveted post of Vice-Chancellor. He was also the Director of Archaeology in the UNESCO-Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle, and was Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France, Spain and UNESCO. He became the President of the Asia-Pacific Electoral Group of UNESCO in 1993 and was elected to a number of Intergovernmental Committees. He also opened a school in Paris for children of Sri Lanka origin to study Sri Lankan culture.
As Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenepura University from 1990-1992 he managed to open a Faculty of Medical Sciences (not a Faculty of Medicine) aimed at offering not only MBBS Degrees but also degrees in the area of paramedics for Nursing and Pharmaceuticals. He also started four Affiliated University Colleges, and an External Degree programme (EDP) for Arts students amidst serious objection from the internal student community and external elements. All AUCs have now been elevated to the status of full-fledged universities and the EDP has benefited tens of thousand of students and become the chief source of income for the University.
After his stint in Paris, he returned to his post as Professor in History and Archaeology. His continued research publications and translations bear testimony to his active life since then up to date. At the age of 65 he retired from the University but he has in fact not been divorced from academic activity. Now Korea has become almost his second home as he frequently visits there to conduct his research.
He is still learning Hangul, the Korean language. His Sinhala translation of Manak Gatha is one of the results of his love of Korean culture.
In the personality of this simple professor of international fame one finds a diplomat, administrator, author and friendly man, with a high quality of humanity. That is the reason why fellow academics, foreign scholars and diplomats and lovers of knowledge have come together to appreciate his contributions.
Finally, I quote another maxim of Sanskrit as it is pertinent to Professor Hettiaratchi: "for the noble characters the whole planet is a family."
The writer is a retired educationist |
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