APPRECIATIONS
View(s):A brilliant scientist and noble personality
Dr. Anthony Harold Magdon Jayasuriya
It was deeply depressing to hear of the demise of Dr. Magdon Jayasuriya. Whoever came into contact with him would have noticed his noble qualities even more than his scientific brilliance. He leaves behind a great legacy of scientific writing, and leadership in innovative environment conservation on the botanical landscape of Sri Lanka and beyond.
It is an irony of fate that he departs from us just one year after publishing a splendid appreciation about one of his mentors Dr. C.R. Panabokke in the Sunday Times of September 17, 2023 titled “Dr. C.R. Panabokke – an internationally renowned soil scientist and pioneer in agricultural research in Sri Lanka”.
Dr. Jayasuriya was born on August 15, 1944 and passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024. He was 80. He is survived by his son Rasika, daughter-in-law Olivia and granddaughter Aanya.
Dr. Jayasuriya graduated from the University of Colombo in 1969 with a Botany Special Degree. He joined the University of Colombo as a demonstrator soon after graduation and was recruited as a Graduate Research Assistant and later promoted to Collaborator in the Flora of Ceylon Project by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
From 1977 to 1996, he worked in the Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya as a Systematic Botanist and Curator of the National Herbarium. During this time, he obtained an M.Phil. in Plant Ecology and Plant Systematics from the University of Peradeniya (1981) and a PhD in Plant Systematics from the City University of New York, USA (1984).
He became the Director of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of the Department of Agriculture in 1996 and was appointed a Senior Deputy Director of Agriculture in 1998, which post he held until his retirement in 2004.
He belonged to that rare breed of scientists whose dedication and commitment was unparalleled. He worked with impeccable integrity. He was an environment conservationist, plant ecologist and taxonomist; more than anything, he was a great humanist, a humble genial personality with an ever-present smile.
He was a good communicator and had the ability to convince his listeners in his own inimitable soft-spoken style not raising his voice at all.
As an administrator he would listen patiently to problems and find solutions that would be a win-win situation for both parties concerned. When he faced injustice he would not take it lying down but fought until justice prevailed. I would say he was a model human being empathetic towards others, a man with sharp intellectual capacity, greatly liked by his colleagues, friends and subordinates.
He was a very active member of the Agriculture Retired Officers Association (AROS) frequently bombarding members with the updates on his forays into scientific expeditions in his subject area. When he was afflicted with cancer, he circulated a small booklet he had compiled on the precautions to be taken for the benefit of members who were in the twilight of their life. Such was his love for fellow beings.
His beloved life partner Shanti’s demise in January 2024, was a devastating blow. However, as a deeply religious person he realized it is to be expected according to his religious convictions. He bravely faced the storm and continued his journey through life.
When we, a group of friends learned that he was not well, we visited him at his home at Kandana in early June 2024, and were deeply touched by his sincere hospitality. We were happy to find him spending his time enjoying his family’s love, affection and loyal attention.
As usual he kept us entertained and enthralled by going down memory lane and sharing his life story, school days, higher education and work experience. He vividly described his encounter with a bear face to face in the jungle while collecting data on one of his field trips. It was like watching an Alfred Hitchcock film. We lived in that scene, eagerly tracking his every word to learn what happened next. He was a great storyteller who could keep his audience spellbound; it could be a field experience or an adventure encountered on one of his scientific expeditions. His narration style of going into the minutest details made the listeners partners on that adventure.
We were shown around in his small but meticulously kept garden which was virtually a miniature botanic garden. It immediately struck a chord in our mind that we were in the garden of no lesser person than the former curator of the National Herbarium. To that extent ‘he walked the talk’.
His academic credentials cannot be covered by a short write-up like this but suffice to say he continued the crusade until the end as a field research scientist sharing his views in his books, presentations, publications and as a prolific scientific writer of newspapers articles which had valuable insights of practical use. He launched a book on the ‘Diversity of terrestrial vegetation in Sri Lanka’ as recently as December 2023. When a problem occurred relevant to his subject area he would be the first to venture into it, describing it in a detail-oriented way. He was a regular contributor to Sunday Times Plus section on current environmental issues involving plants.
We will always cherish the fond memories of the gentlemen who was Magdon Jayasuriya
“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and you are missed beyond measure”
Hemal Kulatunga
A tribute to a friend
Irwin Douglas Raymond
Irwin Douglas Raymond passed away on December 30. He had his entire education at Wesley College, Colombo.
He first came into prominence when he got a 1st Division in the Senior School Certificate examination in 1957 (predecessor of the GCE O’Levels). He gained many distinctions winning the coveted Gogerly Scholarship for the best results in the SSC and also the Hill Medal for the best results at school in the University entrance examination. He was an iconic figure at Wesley for his brilliance in mathematics.
Douglas went on to study Engineering at the University of Peradeniya. After a highly successful University career he joined the Port Commission where he remained for 10 years. He was sent to the UK on a scholarship for his Master’s degree at Imperial College, London. On his return to Sri Lanka he worked for a further three years and left the island to take up a job with an engineering company in the off shore petroleum industry in the UK. Since then he held many important and responsible posts in several companies working in the industry as project manager and also as a consultant.
We had been friends since schooldays. What stood out was his honesty, unimpeachable integrity and the remarkable ability to take life in his stride.
Douglas had tremendous loyalty to his friends and his old school. He initiated the London
Old Boys Union of our school. It was there we reminisced of our time at school and talked about mutual friends.
In retirement he enjoyed travelling which he did for many years. When his health deteriorated, Douglas spent more time in his apartment in Colombo. He had a peaceful end to his life in the country of his birth.
This indeed is an end of an era. We remember Douglas with affection and respect.
“Non omnis moriar” (not all of me will die) May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Nihal D. Amerasekera
Always ready to help anyone
ROHAN HETTIARACHCHI
My friend Rohan lived by his wits all his life and died prematurely in Australia.
He was the life and soul of any gathering and a party would not be complete without him.
He had an amiable personality and a large circle of friends.
He was very good company and with his wisecracks and melodious voice was much in demand for a singsong.
Rohan was an intelligent and knowledgeable person but without any formal qualifications.
However, he had a degree from the university of life.
His academic life had been disrupted by his mother’s premature death and subsequent family problems.
But his dynamic personality got him through a difficult adolescence.
He was the eldest of five siblings and looked after them all – they are all doing very well today, thanks to him.
A prominent old Josephian, Rohan was a big presence at the Ja-ela-Wattala OBU.
He was also a past president of the club and was well loved and respected by all their members.
He was ever ready to give a helping hand to all who knew him.
We have lost a genial friend and an extraordinary human being. May his soul rest in peace.
Ananda M.N. Perera
A hardworking officer who never took no for an answer
Asoka Wijetilaka (Retd. Senior DIG)
Asoka Wijetilaka joined the Police as a probationary Sub-Inspector of Police in the 70s, when I was in the Officers’ Mess earlier known as the ‘Inspectors’ Mess’.
He was a young man and among his colleagues I believe, were Nimal Leuke and Lucky Peris, whom I recall.
They were all youth from public schools, with much energy and exuberance!
Mess nights and Police dances were part of their lives too. Asoka was a hard working officer, who never took “No” for an answer.
His period in the CID saw him reach the top post.
One day I sought his help in one our investigations and when I visited him I found that the CID office was one like in the developed countries with a good reception area and comfortable waiting room.
Visitors were even served tea or coffee until he was free to meet them.
He was neat and tidy and methodical and willing to improve standards emulating western countries.
Asoka never worked with me as I prematurely left the police due to personal reasons.
But he always gave me a helping hand whenever I needed it.
He had excellent leadership qualities.
He believed in attaining optimum performance in a cooperative environment.
He believed that instruction should be supervised, supported, and empowered, finally achieving competency.
Many superiors knew his capabilities and entrusted him with difficult tasks which he achieved through sheer hard work.
I came to know him better, when he assumed the position of the President of the ISF (Industrial Security Foundation).
He did much to upgrade the standards of the ISF and the industry.
I think his biggest achievement was when he took over as Honorary Secretary General of the International Police Association.
He certainly did much to enhance its image both locally and internationally.
After he took over, the office had very high standards in maintenance and management.
Asoka, thank you for all that you gave me so freely and for showing me the true meaning of friendship.
I know you are with the Lord! Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
Nihal de Alwis
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