Appreciations
View(s):He cultivated harmony between humanity and nature
Jayantha Jayewardene
Jayantha Jayewardene passed away on July 30, but his legacy whispers through the trees, echoes in village classrooms, and trumpets from the jungle depths. His was a life of fearless service and principled leadership—a blueprint for conservationists and public servants alike.
Jayewardene embodied a multifaceted persona – a planter, wildlife conservationist, author, ruggerite, Trinitian, mentor, distinguished civil servant, and the late Gamini Dissanayake’s right-hand man.
Jayewardene completed his education at Trinity College, Kandy. As captain of the Trinity rugby team, he earned the coveted Rugby Lion, a symbol of exceptional athleticism and leadership, deeply etched in the college’s lore.
Yet his legacy stretches far beyond the turf. Even as a schoolboy, Jayantha harboured a quiet fascination for the rhythms of nature. His curiosity found fertile ground in Udawattakele, the historic forest reserve in Kandy. From an early interest in birds and reptiles, he moved on to mammals, particularly elephants, which he meticulously researched in their natural habitats.
Fresh out of school, he stepped into the world of tea planting. His tenure as a planter spanned 18 formative years, during which he honed the discipline, foresight, and operational skill that would later define his leadership in national development.
In a pivotal career shift, Jayawardene transitioned from the plantations to one of the largest infrastructural undertakings in Sri Lankan history – the Mahaweli Development Project. Beginning as a Resident Project Manager, his deep familiarity with the land and grassroots sensibilities positioned him uniquely to understand the project’s ecological and social implications. Over the course of 15 years, he ascended to the roles of General Manager and eventually Managing Director of the Mahaweli Economic Agency, overseeing vital components of rural upliftment and sustainable resource management. His leadership at the Mahaweli Project marked a chapter of bold infrastructural foresight combined with ecological mindfulness – a combination rare in bureaucratic narratives. He pursued specialised studies in Rural Development at the University of Sussex and underwent training in Irrigation Management at Colorado State University.
Jayewardene later took up a consulting role with USAID, which paved the way for his appointment as Project Director of a wildlife initiative in Sri Lanka funded by the Asian Development Bank. Following this, he served as a consultant on various ADB conservation-related efforts. In 2015 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Coconut Research Institute.
Jayewardene’s alma mater recognised his outstanding work in natural history presenting him with the prestigious Lion Award. His international acclaim includes receiving the Vulnerable Earth Award from the Netherlands, and he was further honoured at home with a Presidential Award for Scientific Research.
In 1998 Jayewardene initiated a non-profit organisation – the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust (BECT) committed to safeguarding the island’s biodiversity, most notably, its iconic elephants. One project that BECT has been doing for years was helping families in which at least one parent had been killed by an elephant. That help involves things such as giving books to those affected children. So far BECT has assisted over 134 children, and several beneficiaries have entered university and gained employment in government service. BECT also supports house construction for displaced or grieving families.
Over two decades, the BECT has actively implemented Schools Awareness Programmes in regions affected by human-wildlife conflict. Each year, these initiatives have reached over a hundred schools providing in-depth insights into elephant ecology and behaviour, encouraging children to view these animals with empathy and appreciation. BECT has successfully engaged more than 300,000 children through this sustained educational effort.
BECT has also facilitated veterinary training workshops, arranged overseas training opportunities for personnel from the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the National Zoological Gardens, conducted research on elephant movement patterns, tracked the progress of young elephants reintroduced into the wild, and carried out comprehensive assessments of Sri Lanka’s tame elephant population.
Jayewardene contributed significantly to policy-level conservation efforts, serving on the Presidential Task Force for Wildlife Conservation and advising the Minister of Environment. He was also part of the committee responsible for drafting Sri Lanka’s National Policy on Elephant Management and Conservation. He worked internationally as a consultant on elephant conservation for the government of Laos under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
As a long-serving member of the IUCN’s Asian Elephant Specialist Group, he also served as editor of its biannual, peer-reviewed journal Gajah. In addition, he once held the editorial reins of Sri Lanka Nature. In 2003, the BECT organised an international elephant symposium in Colombo, still recognised as the largest elephant-focused conference ever held in Sri Lanka. He was instrumental in orchestrating the event, and was the editor on the publication of its proceedings.
His first book, The Elephant in Sri Lanka, was published in 1994 and in 2010, was translated into Sinhala as ‘Sri Lankawe Ali Athun’. His second publication, The Diversity of Sri Lankan Wildlife, was released in 2008. That same year, he collaborated with Sudath Abeysinghe as co-editor on The Biodiversity of Sri Lanka, a trilingual volume available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.
Jayewardene contributed frequently to the Loris journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society, as well as to numerous other scientific journals and newspapers.
In remembering Jayantha Jayewardene, we do not mourn solely the passing of an individual, but celebrate the resonance of a life steeped in service, wisdom and ecological devotion. His legacy is written not only in policy frameworks and scientific journals, but in the minds of children inspired to see elephants with compassion, in the landscapes he helped conserve, and in the quiet confidence of communities he empowered.
As a planter, civil servant, conservationist, and storyteller, Jayewardene bridged worlds – cultivating harmony between humanity and nature.
Tharindu Muthukumarana
You rest unscathed by time’s tides
Nadeepa Dharmasiri
Thirty-six seasons passed, yet still thy silence rings,
While Earth orbit’s being choked with many revolting things -
A plague that swept through every door,
The azure skies marred by ash and war.
The stars bear witness to a world of guns,
Where grief reigns athwart the noonday sun.
And here thou art, unscathed by time or tide,
There no alarms disturb, and no K.P.I.s abide –
O bliss ’tis to lie, where woe exists not!
Ravindu Fonseka
My son, you discharged life’s duties admirably
SURAJ WEERASEKERA
You will be my Appachchi for the rest of my life, said my son-in-law, Captain Suraj Weerasekera on the day that his father died, three years ago, when I condoled with him on that sad occasion.
I first met Suraj when he came to see me in my official residence in Kotahena when he was a student in a senior form at Nalanda College. My daughter Samanmalee, a Visakian asked me if a son of a Brigadier named Ananda Weerasekera who was training in Athletics with her at the Independence Square grounds could visit us. She was a national athlete who represented the national team here and abroad. I consulted my wife who readily agreed, disclosing all the signs that she was aware of an affair between Samanmalee and Suraj , going beyond the realms of the training grounds.
A few days later a handsome, lanky lad visited us. He was replete with all the traditional manners, soft spoken and exuded an aura of inborn innocence. Sooner than expected, in 1996, Suraj and Samanmalee entered the bonds of marriage with the blessings of elders from both families. They have three beautiful children, two daughters and a son.
Before his marriage Suraj left for Texas for training as a pilot and having successfully completed the course joined AirLanka as a pilot. He got his command on A320 in November 2000 and joined Etihad Airways in March 2006. He became a flight instructor in May 2007. He went to the Boeing Fleet in October 2012 as a line pilot and rose to become a Senior Examiner on the fleet.
Suraj loved his country dedicatedly. It was after much deliberation and a degree of hesitation that he joined a foreign airline. It was done for the sake of his children’s education. All three are now in the closing stages of their education in foreign universities.
He used to visit Sri Lanka at least twice a year and used his sizable financial resources to help his needy friends, relations, religious and educational institutions, and desolate villages in the Ampara District. His generosity to his alma mater was highlighted in the funeral oration delivered by a representative of the college. He spent a few millions on the development of the facilities in the Buddhangala Viharaya where his father Major General Ananda Weerasekera was ordained a priest and spent the last years of life in quiet solitude and meditation.
When after my retirement from the police service I was sworn in as an attorney- at- law in 2011, he presented me with a desktop computer and printer which he had purchased in Abu Dhabi on which I am keying in the appreciation of him and told me that I can now continue with the service I have been rendering for the nation in my new capacity as a lawyer.
I cannot express the grief that engulfs me when these memories strike my mind. When he visited Sri Lanka on March 2 this year to see the big match between Ananda and Nalanda, he invited me to meet him at his home in Maharagama. I met him at about 5 p.m. He was quite hale and hearty and in good spirits. He served me vegetarian pastries and we had tea together. He was a vegetarian and teetotaler. He treated me with intense respect and unflagging affection until his last days. He was the epitome of love and affection. Unfortunately his relationship with his wife was in the doldrums after nearly 20 years of blissful married life.
My dear son Suraj, you have discharged the obligations and responsibilities of your life very creditably, a true testimony to the fact that you were a gentleman in the full sense of the word. You were always conscious of the core concept of Buddhism, anichcha watha sankara that all things that come to existence through a combination of causes and conditions are subject to change and decay. Your role was as a Captain and the role was executed exceptionally well.
May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
H.M.G.B.Kotakadeniya
An epitome of honesty and integrity
P. Dayaratne
In the annals of Sri Lankan political history, few figures have embodied the true spirit of public service with such unwavering dedication as P. Dayaratne. Born in 1937 to prosperous parents in the serene village of Wethara, he grew up in an environment far removed from the urban bustle. Surrounded by lush fields and tranquil lakes, his childhood was marked by discipline and tradition.
Born in 1937 in the serene village of Wethara, Dayaratne’s formative years were shaped by the simplicity and authenticity of rural life – values that would remain his compass throughout his political career. His educational journey from Ananda College to Brighton University forged not merely an engineer, but a visionary who understood that true progress must be built on foundations of honesty and service to others.
The transformative moment in Dayaratne’s life came in 1965 when he joined the Gal Oya Development Board as an Electrical Engineer. Destiny had placed him in Ampara. Here, amidst the ambitious hydroelectric projects and irrigation schemes that would reshape the landscape, he discovered his true calling. The backward Digamadulla district found in him more than a technical expert, they found a champion whose life would be dedicated to their upliftment and empowerment.
For a decade, Dayaratne oversaw power generation projects that literally brought light to communities that had languished in darkness. Yet his vision extended far beyond the technical achievements of infrastructure development. He recognized that true development meant empowering people, creating opportunities, and building sustainable pathways out of poverty. This understanding would define the next four decades of his service to the downtrodden masses of Digamadulla.
Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake’s affectionate nickname for him – the “Little Elephant” -captured both his gentle demeanour and his enormous capacity for shouldering the burdens of public service. Dayaratne combined strength with wisdom, power with compassion, and determination with humility.
The measure of Dayaratne’s character was perhaps most evident in how he faced adversity. Life’s inevitable tragedies and setbacks, including the ups and downs of political fortunes, never shook his fundamental equilibrium. He possessed that rare quality of facing both triumph and disaster with equal composure – a trait that earned him respect across party lines and made him a trusted confidant of five Executive Presidents who selected him to serve as a responsible Minister.
His approach to politics was refreshingly different from the norm. While others might have been swayed by the allure of wealth or the temptation of populist rhetoric, Dayaratne remained steadfast in his principles. His wealth truly belonged to the people he served, and his loyal voters in Ampara gave him courage through decades of dedicated service. They remembered him not for grand speeches or empty promises, but for the quiet dignity with which he addressed their needs and the tangible improvements he brought to their lives.
The 2015 election defeat, after 38 years of exemplary service, revealed both the tragedy and nobility of contemporary politics. Dayaratne’s loss came not because he had failed his constituents, but because he refused to compromise his integrity in a system increasingly dominated by money politics. As he himself observed, he lacked the “fortunes of ill-gotten wealth to throw at elections.” Yet even in this moment of professional disappointment, he maintained the grace and dignity that had defined his entire career.
His life demonstrated that politics, at its best, is not about personal advancement but about creating meaningful change in the lives of ordinary citizens.
The tributes that have poured in since his passing from Presidents, Prime Ministers, and political leaders across the spectrum speak of a unique legacy. In P. Dayaratne, Sri Lanka has lost not just a politician, but a moral exemplar whose life reminds us of what public service should truly represent.
As we bid him farewell, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, integrity and unwavering dedication to the public good, reminding us that honest, principled service remains possible and that such service can indeed transform lives and communities.
May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana, and may his example continue to inspire future generations of public servants to choose the path of integrity over expedience, service over self-interest, and principle over profit.
K.K.S. Perera
A best friend anyone could wish to have
Hillary Fernando
I first met Hillary in October 1975 a few days after I joined the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Refinery. Our meeting place was the Sapugaskanda-Gampaha special CTB bus. The trip lasted about 40 minutes and it was long enough for us to chat about many topical issues.
After getting down at the Gampaha bus stand we both had to cross the railway line and take another bus to get to our respective homes. We completed this ritual each day, which enabled our friendship to develop. Soon our friendship extended to making weekend plans. Frequently we visited each other’s homes using our best mode of transport, the bicycle. Hillary’s parental home was in Kopiwatte, Minuwangoda and mine was in Asgiriya, Gampaha, 10km apart, convenient for a bicycle. Hillary and I thus became very familiar faces to family members in each home, and we and they mutually enjoyed the company.
On weekends we would go to the Air Force swimming pool and spend a few hours there trying to swim. We could do this thanks to Hillary’s brother Wensley, who was attached to the Air Force. Neither of us was an expert swimmer though. Hillary’s mother would pack us our lunch on these outings. Many times, we visited Negombo beach too and enjoyed walking and chatting along the beach or walking through the fish market.
In 1978 when President J.R. Jayewardene opened the economy, used motorcycles from Japan flooded the country. Hillary and I together searched for the cheapest and together paid the deposit for two Honda bikes. We were then more mobile and often rode to work at CPC(R). The time we saved was huge.
Closer to 1979 Middle Eastern job opportunities came up. We both chased those and managed to get opportunities, myself in Kuwait and Hillary later in Qatar. When I signed the employment contract at 3 a.m. in Colombo’s Oberoi Hotel, with KNPC, Hillary was by my side all the way.
We both got married around the same time and shared each other’s joys. I was in Kuwait when Hillary married Maureen, hence could not be there in person. My Dad was the attesting witness at Hillary’s wedding. I was glad that my dad covered my absence. Hillary’s younger brother Caesar was my best man.
In later years we continued visiting each other, me in Wennappuwa and Hillary in Negombo, whenever we were in the island. Hillary owned the same car throughout his life, which epitomised his simplicity. On my recent visit, I was fortunate to be with Hillary the day that I left Sri Lanka for Australia. We chatted and I helped him finish his precious liqueur bottle. Two weeks later, he passed away.
Hillary was an unpretentious man who was satisfied with simple things in life and a best friend anyone could wish to have. Rest in peace in the Lord, my brother. Thank you for what you added to my life.
Nimal S. Jayaratne
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