Appreciations
View(s):A gentleman par excellence and exceptional mentor to engineers
Eng. Russel De Zilwa
It is with deep sadness that we remember the passing of our dear colleague, Eng. Russel De Zilwa.
I first met Russel at Colombo Commercial Company (Engineers) Ltd. in early 1977, when I joined as a fresh Mechanical Engineer after completing my university studies overseas. At that time Russel served as Senior Research and Design Engineer, reporting directly to Chief Engineer, Mr. Deraniyagala. Well established and highly respected within the company, Russel was a role model for the young graduate engineers who joined the company in the mid-1970s and thereafter. Russel was the Chief Engineer at CCC (Engineers) Ltd. when he left the company for other assignments locally and overseas.
Russel was an exceptional mentor to engineers both inside and outside his department. While I worked under the Works Manager as the Production Engineer, our team manufactured machinery for the tea and rubber plantations — including tea rollers, fluid-bed dryers, and rubber rollers. Russel’s department was responsible for improving the reliability and productivity of these machines. To do so he frequently visited plantations to observe machines in operation and ensure they performed as intended. These visits to tea factories often took place late at night, since tea processing commonly occurs in late evenings and early mornings. I accompanied Russel on several of these monitoring visits; I remember him kindly picking me up from my residence in Padukka on the way to the upcountry estates.
Beyond his technical contributions, Russel supported many young engineers in obtaining membership of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) and achieving Chartered Engineer status — a significant milestone in an engineer’s career. He assisted me in becoming a corporate member of the IESL and in obtaining chartered status in the early 1980s, and later proposed my application for Fellowship of the IESL, he himself being an Honorary Life Fellow of the Institution. He extended similar guidance to many others, particularly during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the IESL from 2001 to 2008.
We remember Eng. Russel De Zilwa as a gentle, highly professional, dynamic, and humble man who consistently went the extra mile to help fellow professionals and citizens without prejudice. He will be fondly remembered as a gentleman par excellence.
We reiterate our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Rajini, son, daughter and the grandchildren.
May his soul rest in peace.
Gamini Padmaperuma
Thank you for being more a sister than a sister-in-law
ANGELA WIJESINGHE
This is a brief tribute to my late sister-in-law Angela Wijesinghe (Angi), who passed away on the 18th of April 2026. It was a tremendous loss for the beloved family and all loved ones. During her illness, husband Daya, and her children cared for her with unwavering dedication. She leaves behind her loving husband Daya, two sons, daughter, daughters-in-law, son-in-law and her precious grandchildren.
Being a renowned chemistry teacher, she was deeply committed to the teaching profession and guided her students to great heights.
The quality of her humble love for all was such that she treated each and every person she encountered with great respect and dignity. She generously lent her hand to the less fortunate on countless occasions. Though she is no more, her kindness and love will remain in our hearts.
Her house was always filled with hospitality, warmth, comfort, love and laughter. The unfading aroma of her excellent cooking lingered around her home. For hospitality and generosity, there was none who surpassed her. It warms my heart that her daughter, Diluka, has inherited some of her great qualities. When I visited her last, Angi told Diluka, “Treat Nandi well”. Those loving words still ring in my ears.
It is not possible for me to erase her loving memories from my mind. She would admire my dresses with lovely comments. Never did she forget to send warm birthday wishes and would affectionately kiss my forehead (as was her fashion of showing love and affection) whenever we met. Such wishes or kisses are no more. Thank you Angi for being a sister to me more than a sister-in-law.
My dear Angi, I will miss you immensely.
May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana!
Kusum Wijesinghe
A tribute to our Amma on her birthday
Cynthia Edirimanasinghe
Little did I know on that Wednesday evening, August 6, 2025, that our brief exchange would be our farewell conversation. When I whispered, “Amma, do you know that we love you?” and asked, “Do you love us?” she answered “Yes” to both, her facial expressions affirming her love. I could not have known that within half an hour, God was preparing to call your name and receive you into His heavenly home.
That was the most difficult and darkest day of our lives. Our hearts were shattered when we lost you, Amma. Even now, a persistent ache remains when we realize you are no longer with us. Yet, to have those final, clear words of love, that simple and profound ‘Yes,’ is a precious gift. It is a gentle grace we hold onto when the grief feels particularly heavy.
May 12, 2026, marks Amma’s first birthday since she left us. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Amma. Not a day goes by that we do not think of you. Your love and wisdom shaped the very essence of who we are, and we remain endlessly grateful to God for the gift of your life.
Amma, you were the steady hand in every storm and the quiet joy in every celebration. Though you are no longer by our side, the love you planted in our hearts continues to flourish. We carry your laughter, your wisdom and your light with us every single day. You were our spiritual anchor and our moral compass. You embraced many roles in one lifetime, welcoming both joy and hardship with grace. We remain deeply aware of the many sacrifices you made for us.
At your very core was a simple, steadfast faith. You trusted your Maker and your beloved saint, St. Anthony, right until the very end. You always reminded us of the sanctity of family prayer and the importance of attending Church, especially the Holy Eucharist on Sundays.
Amma, you were a constant presence for the three of us and our families, always ready with sound, solid advice. There are still days when we find ourselves at a crossroads, instinctively reaching out for your guidance, wishing to hear your reassuring voice once more.
Each of us is profoundly grateful to our Lord for the precious years we shared with you. We love you and miss you dearly, Amma, especially on your 91st birth anniversary and every single day beyond. The wonderful memories we hold of you will be cherished forever.
Rest easy Amma with our Lord Jesus.
Nilmini, Shiromi and Chrishanthi (daughters)
He showed true leadership in both University and Church
NIHAL DE LANEROLLE
Professor Nihal de Lanerolle passed away a few weeks ago.
He was a few years senior to me. He was present at my early schoolboy orations. And at my career awards in US.
Following my marriage when I used to take my daughter to my University to show her the secrets of higher studies, Nihal would make sure to be around to prevent any attempts on my part to make the visit a typical clown show. For Nihal took the Western University very seriously, as he took the Anglican Church, of which he was a scholar and priest.
In University he studied under a renowned British Professor, later becoming himself a world expert in Neuroscience in particular the neural networks connecting mind and action. In the church he was most at ease with sacred music and its use in prayer sessions or church service.
In America he became indispensable to his labs at the Yale University in providing the strategic writing to preface experimental work. In the American churches he served he was sought after by the several congregations to whom he gave leadership and a very warm welcoming priestly leadership.
Those of us who knew Nihal de Lanerolle in daily life will miss him. We can only thank God for the blessing he was to each of us and our families.
Dr. Darin Gunesekera
He brought people together in the spirit of community building
Prof. Nalin Abeysekara
In the landscape of contemporary marketing academia, few individuals have commanded such respect, admiration, and influence as Prof. Nalin Abeysekara, Senior Professor in the Department of Marketing Management and former Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies, Open University of Sri Lanka. A distinguished scholar, visionary leader, and compassionate mentor, he stood as a transformative figure whose contributions extended far beyond the conventional boundaries of teaching and research. His work bridged the divide between theoretical marketing frameworks and real-world institutional practice, leaving a profound and enduring impact on both academia and society.
Prof. Abeysekara’s academic journey was characterised by a strong commitment to interdisciplinary thinking. He recognised that marketing was not merely a functional discipline confined to business applications but a powerful tool capable of shaping institutions, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering social development. By integrating core marketing concepts such as value co-creation, brand equity, and strategic positioning into broader institutional contexts, he demonstrated how marketing could serve as a foundation for sustainable growth and innovation.
At the heart of his philosophy was a deep and unwavering belief in human-centric marketing. For him, marketing was fundamentally about relationships, empathy, and the creation of social value. He consistently emphasised that the success of any organization or institution lies in its ability to connect meaningfully with people. This perspective redefined the way marketing was understood and practised within academic circles, shifting the focus from purely economic outcomes to social and human impact.
One of his most influential contributions was the concept of strategic guardianship, which encouraged academic leaders to act as custodians of institutional identity. He believed that institutions should be managed as brands, with a responsibility to preserve their heritage while adapting to the evolving demands of a dynamic and digital world.
Prof. Abeysekara was also a strong advocate for what he described as a Digital Renaissance. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, he recognized the potential of tools such as artificial intelligence and digital platforms to transform the way knowledge is created, shared, and preserved. Rather than viewing technology as a threat to traditional values, he embraced it as an enabler that could connect local knowledge with global audiences. His forward-thinking approach empowered scholars to adopt digital tools while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of their work.
Beyond his intellectual contributions, his legacy is deeply rooted in his commitment to inclusive education. He believed that knowledge should not be restricted to privileged groups but should be accessible to all segments of society. This belief was most clearly reflected in his introduction of the textbook Marketing in Tamil, that made marketing knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Through this effort, he empowered entrepreneurs, school leavers, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage with marketing as a practical tool for personal and professional development.
Prof. Abeysekara’s influence was equally evident in his ability to bring people together. He possessed a rare talent for coordination and community building, creating spaces where collaboration, mutual respect, and intellectual exchange could thrive. His leadership was characterized by humility and inclusiveness, qualities that earned him the admiration of colleagues and students alike. He fostered a culture of belonging within the academic community, ensuring that every individual felt valued and respected.
His mentorship extended beyond formal academic roles. He nurtured a sense of brotherhood and solidarity within the marketing community, particularly supporting and encouraging female academics to pursue leadership positions. His friendly demeanour, approachable nature, and genuine concern for others created an environment where individuals could grow both professionally and personally. For many, he was not just a mentor but a guiding force whose presence shaped their academic journeys.
The sudden loss of Prof. Abeysekara has left an irreplaceable void within the academic community. In a world that often prioritizes speed and competition, his life serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity, empathy, and meaningful contribution.
His legacy, however, continues to resonate through the countless lives he touched and the institutions he strengthened. He demonstrated that true leadership is not measured solely by achievements or titles, but by the ability to inspire, connect, and uplift others. His work across diverse fields including national policy, institutional development, and creative industries highlighted the universal relevance of marketing as a language for growth and transformation.
Prof. Abeysekara’s vision extended beyond immediate academic goals to a broader understanding of societal impact. He believed that marketing, when practiced with ethical responsibility and social awareness, could address real-world challenges and contribute to sustainable development. His emphasis on resilience, ethics, and social responsibility continues to guide those who seek to follow in his footsteps.
Ultimately, Prof. Nalin Abeysekara will be remembered not only as an exceptional academic but as a transformative figure who redefined the meaning of leadership in the field of marketing. His legacy is not confined to the pages of academic publications but lives on in the relationships he nurtured, the minds he shaped, and the vision he inspired.
On behalf of his Tamil academic friends
Prof (Mrs) Shivany Shanmugathas University of Jaffna
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