Remembering a man of many interests

He was a multifaceted man - Professor of Pharmacology, botanist, photographer, calligrapher, lover of opera and many more. His credentials are numerous. Sri Rama Kottegoda, according to Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya, not only held important positions such as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo and General President of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, but also had a great interest in ethics and participated in many a committee and had publications in this field.

Having first-hand knowledge about Sri Lanka, he contributed to the Travellers' Guide and won with regularity every photography prize that was available. His photographic essay, 'The Flowers of Sri Lanka' remains the classic in the field, states Prof. Aluwihare.

Who was this man of many interests? "He was a complete person," says his widow Damayanthi Kottegoda, explaining that he was very quick on the uptake. "Just listening to him talk would keep people in stitches."

She dwells on his photographic abilities and says he photographed "anything and many things as a hobby". He had clicked many flowers and it was when they were in Singapore for five years that he had time to read up about each one and compile a comprehensive book. He died two months before the book was published.

In his study at their home in Rajagiriya they had built 55 years ago, lie numerous photographs of Sri Lanka's wild flowers. "We hope a botanist will help us finish the work he began," says Mrs. Kottegoda.

Prof. Kottegoda was an avid gardener too and the trees, shrubs and flowering plants around their home are testimony to his green fingers.

"Appochchi was not only a disciplinarian but also a perfectionist," recalls daughter Sepali, going back to her childhood. "We had to take our books out at 6 p.m. and sit at the table. That was the designated study time."

When the report cards came, he only looked at the low marks and questioned why, but never at the good marks, she remembers.

School holidays were spent visiting historical and archaeological sites, while staying in circuit bungalows across the country. The rest of the holiday was built around those site visits.

Meanwhile, Prof. Aluwihare speaks of Prof. Kottegoda's fanaticism with cricket. In the pre-mobile era, wherever he was he found a way ethically to keep track of scores of important matches even during the most rigorous of working days and lectures.

"All this, however, must not detract from the fact that he was an excellent human being, endowed with the qualities of humour, ethics and affection," adds Prof. Aluwihare.