Appreciations
View(s):Thank you for the ‘Shakes’ legacy and valued friendship
Dulip Flavian Raphael Jayamaha
To me, in terms of appearance, he looked the same, from the moment I first knew of him some 30 years or so ago, until the day he died, unexpectedly, on April 27, 2025, a year ago, aged 80.
Lean, stately and with an elderly countenance, he looked somewhat like what I would have imagined a character out of a Dickensian novel to look like, though I cannot pinpoint which one.
In 1997, thinking highly of ourselves and of our Josephian excerpt of ‘Hamlet’, we proudly took part in the Shakespeare Drama Competition, organized then, as it is now, by the Rotary Club of Colombo North and the Colombo YMCA. He was the face of the organising committee, indeed the livewire behind it all. So naturally, when we did not win, not even a place in the finals, our combined feelings of wrath, disbelief and a sharp sense of injustice were directed straight at the organisers and judges.
Years later, having been invited to judge the same competition, and having had to have faced similar sentiments, I realize what a difficult and thankless job, organising such an event is, year in year out, as he did, for at least the last 30 years or so. It involves, little fanfare and pomp; instead, replaced by mundane nitty-gritty, even flak, with no personal gain.
So why would someone do it? And so consistently, and for so long? Therein lies a key insight into his person. A steady hand, a steady head and a deep sense of interest in the development of the character of people. It goes without saying that the anvil of the Shakespeare Drama
Competition (now known as “Shakes”) – devised to help address the lacuna left by Sri Lanka’s far-reaching mistake of phasing out English and the classics from our regular school curriculum – has helped forge, wittingly and unwittingly, the characters of many, and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude, as does, in particular, almost the entirety of the English theatre culture in Colombo today.
He was well respected for his professional craft. He had a solid corporate clientele, who relied on him. Indeed, one could categorise him as an expert and pioneer in the field of Condominium Law in Sri Lanka. His advice was sought and relied on, in the construction and development of many modern high-rise apartments and condominiums we see in Colombo today. He served on many corporate Boards.
He was conferred silk in 2019. All this he carried with simplicity, hard work and little or no self-promotion, a telling message to all those who seem to think that self-publicity in the daily newspapers and over socials is the way to get ahead in today’s world.
There was also a significant public sector aspect to his life. When the Board of Investment (BOI), then the Greater Colombo Economic Commission, was conceived in the late 1970s, he was one of those involved, serving as legal consultant in 1980. A simple law, designed to achieve powerful impact, provided the right people marshal it.
He served on the Board of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, was the First Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) and a Director of Lanka Cement Limited.
These roles gave him an insight into the machinery of State, and how the country operated, and ought to operate, in these all-important sectors.
A family man and devout Catholic, he was a regular at 8.30 a.m. Sunday mass at St. Mary’s Church Bambalapitiya, involved in parish activities, and chairing its Centenary Jubilee committee in 2008.
He was also the President of the Welfare Committee of his daughter’s school, Holy Family Convent and of course, a distinguished Rotarian of Rotary Club of Colombo North since 1979. I take issue only with the fact that he settled for second-best in terms of schools, being a Benedictine and a Peterite.
All in all, he was the kind of all-rounder that Sri Lanka needs more of, but has less of.
Through his example, we are reminded that the magnificent can often reside within what is perceived to be the mundane, and in the nitty-gritty and in the silent perseverance of the conscientious. I am reminded somehow of the poetry of William Blake (Auguries of Innocence):
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.
In the last ten years or so, I had grown close to him. We used to talk often over the phone, sometimes long conversations. I valued his perspective and his counsel. He gave me some of my first briefs during the start of my solo career, for which I cannot understate how grateful I am. His death was a real shock to me, and I do miss him.
His legacy truly lives on in the impactful life he has lived, in those of us he has inspired, and in his family, who was his bedrock, his wife Carmenika, the wind beneath his wings, and in his daughters Lasika, who continues his “Shakes” legacy, and Priyanti, who continues
the legacy of his practice, now in its third generation.
-Eraj de Silva, PC
He will be remembered for his pioneering scientific contributions, humility and faith
NIHAL C. DE LANEROLLE
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Nihal C. de Lanerolle, who died on March 25, in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. He was 80 years old.
Dr. de Lanerolle was born on April 16, 1945, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He completed his education at Royal College, Colombo and later earned a B.Sc. (Honours) in Zoology from the University of Ceylon. He began his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Ceylon before pursuing doctoral studies in the United Kingdom. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) in Neuroethology from the University of Sussex in 1972 and subsequently studied theology and philosophy at the University of Cambridge, where he received a B.A. (Honours) and later an M.A. He was awarded the higher doctoral degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) from the University of Sussex in 1995 in recognition of his distinguished and sustained contributions to science.
Following postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota and Yale University, Dr. de Lanerolle joined the faculty at the Yale School of Medicine in 1979. Over a career spanning more than three decades at Yale, he rose through the academic ranks to become Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurobiology. He also served as Visiting Professor in Biology and Neuroscience at Wesleyan University and, during a leave from Yale, as College Chaplain and Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience at Trinity College in Hartford, USA.
In collaboration with Dr. Dennis D. Spencer and colleagues, Dr. de Lanerolle pioneered studies on the neuropathology of epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy. His work led to fundamental discoveries which advanced the understanding of this condition and the diverse underlying disease mechanisms. His research also extended to experimental models of epilepsy, molecular and genetic alterations in the epileptic brain, and the neuropathology of explosive blast traumatic brain injury.
Dr. de Lanerolle authored an extensive body of scholarly work, including more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters, which significantly advanced the field of human epilepsy research.
A Fulbright Senior Scholar and Corresponding Member of the German League Against Epilepsy, Dr. de Lanerolle received numerous distinctions recognizing his scientific contributions. He served on several national and international review panels, and functioned in advisory roles related to traumatic brain injury research. He was an active participant in national and international symposia and a frequent reviewer for leading scientific journals.
At Yale, he was a valued member of the Yale Epilepsy Surgery Research Program and the Yale Interdepartmental Neuroscience Graduate Program. A dedicated educator and mentor, he trained and influenced generations of undergraduate students, medical students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom went on to distinguished careers in medicine and science.
In parallel with his scientific career, Dr. de Lanerolle pursued a deeply meaningful vocation in the Episcopal Church. He completed theological training at Jesus College and Ridley Hall at the University of Cambridge, earning a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest.
Dr. Nihal de Lanerolle ministered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westbrook, Connecticut, for more than three decades. His broader ministry included roles as College Chaplain at Trinity College, Hartford (1999–2002); and Chaplain to the Episcopal Church at Yale (2002–2013). Through his ministry, he offered guidance, compassion, and spiritual support to diverse communities, uniquely bridging the worlds of science and faith.
Dr. de Lanerolle will be remembered not only for his pioneering scientific contributions, but also for his humility, intellectual depth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Outside of his professional life, he enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, playing squash and badminton, travelling, and hiking.
He is survived by his brother, Ralph, and his nephew, Trishan.
A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westbrook, Connecticut, on April 1 and his mortal remains were laid to rest in Colombo on 18th April, 2026.
(Extracts from Yale School of Medicine website)
An unbroken friendship throughout our Law College days and after
PARAKRAMA DE ALWIS
I was shocked to read in the Sunday Times that my good friend Para had passed away. I feel so sad that I could not attend his funeral.
Para and I joined Law College together and took our oaths as Attorneys-at-Law together. We had an unbroken friendship throughout our days at Law College.
I remember the times we would cross the road and have a cool beer at the Crown Hotel and then later lunch at the College canteen at the mercy of Sunil and his sister Swarna.
I last met Para when I invited him along with my good friends Sinha, Anil and Ravi for lunch on the day my son took oaths as a lawyer.
Even though Para is no more he will always remain a true and good friend
and in my prayers I will ask Allah Almighty to give him a place
in Heaven.
My deepest sympathies to his grieving family.
Fazal Abuthahir
A man of intellect, integrity and gentleness
RUSSEL DE ZILWA
I was privileged to have known Russel for well over six decades – as a batch mate, close friend and constant presence through many of life’s important milestones. Most significantly, he was also my roommate for three consecutive years, a shared experience that forged a bond of friendship, trust and mutual respect that lasted a lifetime.
From our undergraduate days, Russel stood out for his quiet diligence and academic excellence. Compared to many of us, he was naturally studious and successfully completed his Final Part 1 and Part 2 examinations at the first attempt, without fuss. He was nearly three years younger than I, and yet achieved so much with such ease, further testimony to his natural intellect and disciplined approach to learning. Like me, Russel was also the only child of his parents, a shared circumstance that perhaps shaped our outlooks and strengthened our sense of responsibility and independence from an early age.
Living together as roommates for three years allowed me to see firsthand Russel’s character beyond the lecture halls – his selfdiscipline, thoughtfulness, consideration for others, and his calm, balanced approach to life. Those years created a closeness that went far beyond ordinary friendship, and that bond endured through the decades.
Despite his intellectual strengths, Russel was always modest, approachable and generous with his time. Our friendship extended well beyond the University. I was a frequent visitor to his family home at Schofield Place, Kollupitiya, not far from my own home at Bagatelle Road, and those early years cemented a relationship that stood the test of time. Russel attended my
registration of marriage in April 1968 at my home, and later the religious wedding ceremony and reception in January 1970 at
the Taprobane.
One of my most vivid memories is of the time when Russel fell in love. Almost every afternoon, without fail, after lectures and tea, he would set off around 4 p.m. from the halls of residence to spend the evening with Rajini near her own halls of residence. She too was in our batch, reading Engineering, and together they formed a partnership that would become the foundation of a deeply harmonious and loving family life.
Russel and Rajini’s marriage was marked by mutual respect, affection, and shared values. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Shane and Shaemali, and later with four grandchildren, who brought them immense joy. The warmth of their family life was further enriched by their extended family, including his in-laws, Janie and Chavinka.
Professionally, Russel’s career reflected the same integrity and excellence that characterised him personally. Having entered the Engineering Faculty of the University of Ceylon in 1965, he went on to qualify as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He joined the Colombo Commercial Company, rising to become Chief Engineer, and later served with distinction in Saudi Arabia before returning to Sri Lanka to take up the role of Chief Engineer at Lever Brothers. He was also offered a job in the Zambian copper mines but turned it down when he realized his widowed mother would be alone and needed his care.
Russel was also deeply committed to the profession beyond his own employment—serving as a Visiting Lecturer at the Katubedda Campus and as General Secretary of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, contributing tirelessly to the development of younger engineers and the standing of the profession.
An Old Thomian, Russel was an absolute professional in every sphere of his life—whether in his career, his service to his Church, St. Michael’s Polwatha and especially as its Honorary Treasurer for many years, and the Diocese of Colombo. He discharged every responsibility with quiet dedication, commitment and integrity, and strong moral values.
Whenever I returned to Sri Lanka, it became a standing tradition for me to meet Russel and his family- first at Pedris Road, Colombo 3, and later at his apartment in Rajagiriya. The last such meeting, in July 2023, remains especially precious.
Russel will be remembered as a man of intellect, integrity, and gentleness – a devoted husband and father, loyal friend, and a professional who upheld the very best values of his calling. For me personally, he will always remain not only a cherished friend, but also a valued roommate and companion of my formative years, whose memory will stay with me always.
My wife Gowri and I extend our deepest condolences to Rajini, Shane, Shaemali, and the entire family on their profound loss.
-Krishnan Radhakrishnan (Jega)
Precious memories of a cousin and friend
DAVID WEERASINGHE
David Weerasinghe was born on May 8, 1937 and left this world on January 21, 2026. He was the son of Vivian and Vicky and husband of Augusta. David was my first cousin, as his mother and my father were siblings. David had an elder sister and another older brother, Senaka.
He was educated at St. Mathew’s College Dematagoda.
He married Augusta Amarasekera, a teacher of St. Paul’s Milagiriya and they had two lovely children in Dilrukshi and Asith. Dilrukshi married Dinesh Madawala and Asith married Amali. David had the good fortune of seeing his great grandchild in the USA.
David was very fortunate to have a very dedicated and loyal wife in Augusta, and he certainly missed her after her passing. David worked as Manager at Associated Motorways and later as Manager Stores at Richard Peiris’ and later as General Manager Spare Parts Division of the State Trading Corporation. Finally he worked for Munchee (Ceylon Biscuits ) as the Manager of the Ascense Factory at Dehiwala.
David was a true friend and a good Christian . It was late in 2024 that he started losing his memory. His nephew Reginald and I regularly visited him and he would always call me and have chats. The last years he missed going to church and always complained about it.
David, it is friends like you who remind me that life’s most precious gifts are free. The memories we create fulfil the promise of love. Thank for each and every day you were my friend and the memories which will certainly last forever.
May you be in heaven together with Augusta, your parents and siblings.
Your loving cousin Nihal
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