Emeritus Professor Waduge Ariyadasa De Silva - An embodiment of ethical standards and professionalism

Emeritus Professor Waduge Ariyadasa De Silva passed away on 01.08.2021 unexpectedly but very peacefully. The funeral was held on 03.08.21 amidst a few close friends and relatives, due to the present situation in the country. Hence many of his associates missed the opportunity to pay their last respect to him.

Professor de Silva was a graduate of the University of Ceylon and had obtained two Postgraduate Diplomas, one from the University of Ceylon and the other from the University of London. He also obtained an M.Ed and PhD from University of Birmingham. Professor Silva was the recipient of a Commonwealth Academic Fellowship and a Senior Fulbright Fellowship.

Professor Ariyadasa de Silva was the second Dean of the first Faculty of Education in Sri Lanka. He was the longest standing Dean and served from 1981-1990. He was also the Chair Professor of Humanities Education. Professor de Silva contributed very much to the physical and human advancement of the Faculty during its early years of development as the Faculty was established only in 1975.Professor De Silva was the Director of the first Affiliated University College of the Western Province.  It later became the Sri Palee Campus of the University of Colombo.

I had the good fortune to become a post graduate student in the Faculty, towards the later part of his Deanship in 1989. He also conducted a few lectures for us. Although few, the way he delivered the lectures revealed how well prepared, organised and knowledgeable he was. Those were turbulent times due to the aftermath of the ‘black July’. Universities were closed and we who were teachers on study leave did not know what to do. Few of us decided to meet the Dean. Even though universities were not functioning he was available and called the Ministry of Education and advised us what to do. He also told us if we face any problems to contact him directly. The little interactions we the students had with the Dean showed us his leadership qualities and concern for the students.

I joined the Faculty of Education in 1995 as a Probationary Lecturer in Humanities Education in the same department of which Professor Silva was the Chair Professor. The first advice he gave me was to sign the academic staff register daily. He said that some may say it is not necessary but “you must do it until you retire because that shows your accountability”. While I was overseas doing my Doctoral studies I used to write to him describing the challenges I faced and the progress I was making. He used to respond promptly encouraging me. In one letter he mentioned that he would be retiring soon and requested me in my next letter not to address him as Professor as he was not entitled to that title after retirement. He never used that title until the University of Colombo awarded him the title of Emeritus Professor. Such were the ethics he practiced and expected his students and colleagues to practice.

Professor Ariyadasa De Silva was an excellent teacher much loved and admired by his students. He initiated the first Staff Development Programme for the Academic staff of the University of Colombo. A couple of years ago, at an annual research symposium of the Faculty of Education, then Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake seeing Professor Silva in the audience had this to say. “I am so glad to see Prof. Ariyadasa de Silva. When we were young academics he was a giant in the field of Education and was a role model to us” He always tried to maintain ethical standards and professionalism of teachers.

Not only academics, even the non academics liked and respected him in spite of him being known as a strict disciplinarian. Even now they affectionately refer to him as “Loku Sir”

Professor De Silva also contributed to the field of Education at national level, was a reputed researcher and represented Sri Lanka at many international forums as well. He was the Chairman of the Academic Affairs Board of the National Institute of Education from 2006-2015. Many Board members who served under him still recall the professionalism he displayed in conducting the Board meetings.

Professor De Silva identified the people who had the potential to be good academics and supported and pushed them to achieve Professional excellence. Yet, some people did not understand his motives and he was sad about the sheer waste of talent. The last time I spoke to him was on the 17th of June 2021 to inform him that I have been awarded the Emeritus Professorship from the University of Colombo. He was extremely happy and told me that “you held many posts in the university and worked hard. In return the University has rewarded you with this title which you richly deserve. All former titles were temporary, but this is permanent”

Professor Ariyadasa de Silva was a role model and a mentor to me. I am glad I was able to give him the satisfaction of observing my Professional Development.

Professor De Silva’s demise at a time when the services of academics of his calibre is most needed is a great loss to the field of Education.

I end this appreciation with a comment by one of the non academic colleagues in response to my Facebook post informing about his death.

අපේජීවිතයටබොහෝඋදව්උපකාරකලආදරනීයසර්.

ඔබතුමාඋතුම්නිවනින්මසැනසේවා.

Thank you Dear Sir. May you rest in Peace

Marie Perera