Appreciations
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scientist, teacher and mentor He was 57. His death has deprived the Sri Lankan scientific community of one of its most influential zoologists. His remarkable contributions to the advancement of medical entomology in general and mosquito taxonomy in particular earned him a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost scientists. Prashantha, as he was known to us, was born on July 14, 1948 in Colombo into a distinguished and erudite Catholic family. His father, the great scholar Cuthbert Amerasinghe held the chair of Professor of Western Classics at the University of Peradeniya. Prashantha began his early education at St Anthony’s College, Kandy, where his achievements as a gifted student earned him the respect of his peers and pointed the way to a bright future. Although he was selected to study medicine, he rejected it in favour of zoology which he loved. He entered the University of Peradeniya in 1967 and had the privilege of studying under the late Professor Hilary Crusz. Having such an outstanding mentor as Prof. Crusz was perhaps the most important event in the career of Prashantha at the university. In many instances, distinction often breeds distinction. He was a brilliant student with an indefatigable spirit and a genuine enthusiasm for zoology, which he was able to communicate to other students without conscious effort on his part. He specialized in Entomology and graduated with a First Class in 1971, and was recruited as Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, from where he proceeded to the United Kingdom on a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue his postgraduate research in the field of Entomology at the University of Bristol. He received his PhD in 1977. Prashantha returned to Sri Lanka and resumed his academic career at the University of Peradeniya as Lecturer in Zoology. It was here that he established himself as an inspiring teacher and a first rate scientist. It was the late Prof. W. Fernando who observed that ‘teaching without research was like looking through a lens-less telescope’. Prashantha enriched his lectures with the findings from his research, and always kept his students informed of the latest developments in the field of entomology. He had a distinguished academic career at the University, and at the young age of 48, he was appointed Professor of Applied Zoology. His influence stemmed from a combination of innate intelligence, considerable scientific talents, strong personality and ntellectual breadth. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject he taught and his lectures were among the most popular at the university. His personal sense of justice, his energy, and his quick grasp of a subject made him a good and efficient Head of Department.. He was scrupulously honest and straightforward in his dealings with the staff and treated everyone with equal fairness. But he was a strict martinet who refused to compromise on ethical standards and propriety. He was extremely sympathetic to young scholars and devoted much time in supervising and guiding their research. Many of them now hold important research and administrative positions both in Sri Lanka and abroad. He took the responsibility for producing good research workers out of raw graduates. He had an uncanny knack for pulling things out of students that they didn’t even know they had. He was able to inject excitement and liveliness into anyone who was fortunate to have worked under him. He will always be remembered as an outstanding administrator with a mind comprehensive in its grasp of things simple and precise. As a scientist who left his mark on the science of his generation, Prashantha received many academic honours related to his work on the mosquito. It may be difficult to love the mosquito, but his research on this terrible insect – the so called ‘angel of death’ - contributed much to our understanding of the taxonomy, ecology and epidemiology of the mosquito in Sri Lanka. The study proved most rewarding, and it brought him international recognition and respect. From being a consultant in the Sarvodaya Malaria Control Project in 1988, Prashantha quickly built up a reputation as one of the foremost exponents in the field of medical entomology in Sri Lanka. This brought him to the notice of the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) which recruited him as advisor to the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) in 1991. From then on, there was no turning back: success in research brought recognition and rewards. Prashantha finally ended up as the Principal Researcher and Leader, Water Health & Environment Theme, International Water Management Institute, with Headquarters in Colombo – a position he held from 2000 until he passed away. Although his primary research focus was on the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases, Prashantha maintained an active interest in a variety of disciplines that included conservation of biodiversity, primatology, ornithology and wildlife biology. It was during 1979-1980 when we were assigned to carry out an assessment of the environmental impact of the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project in Sri Lanka that I came to appreciate the depth of his knowledge of the birdlife in the country. He was an excellent spotter of birds, and he would identify them from their calls, colours and flight patterns. In the field he was very relaxed, talkative and jovial. His study of the identification of the mammals of Sri Lanka based on the structure of their hair remains a classic. Prashantha brought a characteristic intensity of purpose to everything he did and a determination to succeed against all odds. His research output was phenomenal: over 80 peer-reviewed papers, numerous presentations at international symposia and conferences, and a book entitled “Malaria in Sri Lanka: Current knowledge on transmission and control”, co-authored with F. Konradsen, W. Van der Hoek & P.H. Amerasinghe. He received countless awards and was included in the “2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century”, published by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, UK. He spent two years (1990-1992) as Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, USA. In 2005, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) conferred on him posthumously, the outstanding scientist award for making major contributions towards the improvement of water and land resources management in Sri Lanka. Despite the awards and accolades, Prashantha remained a modest man who refused to let success go to his head; he lived a simple and unostentatious life. He always had a sharp aversion for any form of outward show. Fame never bothered him as he would never use it for personal power. His public manner concealed a deep shy and reserved nature. An important influence on Prashantha was his wife Priyanie, who supported him in sickness and in health. Married in 1978, they were a well matched couple, given their mutual interests in classical music, art, theatre, literature and horticulture, especially a love for orchids and roses. Prashantha enjoyed reading, acting, singing and listening to music. He was a creature of habit and punctuality was one of his virtues. He was of delicate health, and was highly sensitive to changes in weather. We used to jokingly refer to him as the human barometer, for a slight change in the weather would be reflected in his attire. All of us were very sad to see him in his final days at the hospital when he was very ill. We all hoped and prayed that he would pull through. But he met the knowledge of impending death with great mental and physical courage. His death was one of the most distressing events in my life, and it has robbed us of a distinguished scientist and a decent human being. Prashantha touched many lives. He is survived by his wife Priyanie, and his children Chaminda and Niranjali. Charles Santiapillai He
will always be our hero Appa was a living historian. His knowledge seemed infinite to us as children. He would take us on many trips around the island and regale us with tales, which would bring to life the great and ordinary Sri Lankans who had walked this land before us. I will always remember how detailed and exciting his stories were and how patient he was when we plied him with questions. He taught us to respect all communities, cultures and religions and how to draw strength from our own. He knew that ignorance bred intolerance and was keen that we learnt the wealth of difference that made us Sri Lankans above all other divisions. Any subject was open for discussion with him and no matter how great his knowledge and understanding, he was always willing to listen to our views, even if it differed from his. It is hard to say I miss him – for having Appa in our lives had such a profound effect on us all that it feels like he is here with us always. And I truly believe he is. For myself, Tariq, Azi, Tahir, Hatim, Anisha, Nadine, Imaan, Aquila, Hakim, Salma, Aamil, and Hussein, he was more than a grand father. We carry his name with pride for he is an inspiration and will always remain, our hero. Rehana Mohamed He
believed in honour Our Seeya was a police officer of the highest calibre and served our country and people with great honour and integrity. He was second to none in his devotion to duty and was an exemplary officer. He left us at the age of 84 on January 12, 2004 and was cremated at the Mahaiyawa cemetery before a large gathering with a guard of honour accorded by the Police. He was grandfather, friend and devoted teacher to us. We remember as if it were yesterday how he told us Jataka stories and gave us timely advice and examples for us to grow up into good citizens. Seeya was always aware that he would have to face old age and death. He always took precautions to be healthy even in his old age according to the Buddhist way of life. We
thank our beloved Seeya for all that he gave us. May he attain Nibbana. |
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