Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi - champion aquatic sportsman

ACCORDING to the great English novelist, D. H. Lawrence, Professional Engineers are generally self-willed, because, they have control over people and material and even metal. They can even get machinery to obey them.

But, here is Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi of University of Western Australia, who is the coordinator, Marine Science and Engineering, Programme Group Leader, Coastal Oceanography Group, manipulating control over aquatic sports and athletics.

Undoubtedly he is a very rare character. Noteworthy feature in him, is he is simple, unassuming, polite, a good conservationalist and a fine gentleman.

In his early days at school he took to water gleefully. His fascination for swimming, was so overwhelming, a teacher once made a observation "Charitha, all right you keep on swimming and swimming". Even for a moment, the teacher never suspected, he will make a career relating to oceans.

For today, he is a world renowned specialist in oceanography, in addition being a water sports champion.

Family background

Professor Pattiaratchi, was born on 29th October 1957, in Colombo. He hails from a highly respectable family.

His beloved father late Bandusiri Pattiaratchi was the former Director of Geological Survey Department, Chairman of Ceramic Corporation, and the President of Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science.

His mother Chandralatha Gunawardane, belong to the 'Boralugoda clan' - a daughter of Harry Gunawardane. Harry was a brother of Philip and Robert Gunawardane. Chandralatha's sister is Sumithra Peiris, wife of Lester James Peiris.

Tiny tot who showed lot of promise

Little Charitha began his schooling at the Royal Primary in 1963, and entered Royal College in 1972. As a junior, his firth swimming coach was Tara Boling. At the age of 15, he showed promise and became all-island schools swimming champion, excelling in the back-stroke.

In 1972, he was selected to represent Sri Lanka Schools tour of India. His coach at that time was Gordon Perera, who is presently domiciled in Sydney, Australia. Charitha dominated the junior swimming circuit in 1973.

He showed lot of promise when he beat national champion Devinda Subasinghe in 100 metres free style, and went on to break Sri Lanka National 200 m free style record in 1974 at the SSC pool.

Further, he represented Sri Lanka against India when he was 15 years. In 1973, he represented Sri Lanka in Asian Age Group Championships held in Bangkok.

Athlete

As a schoolboy, he was an outstanding athlete. In 1972, he represented Royal and became the national all-island champion. This meet was held at Batticaloa.

Not only swimming and athletics, he represented Royal in water polo. He was a complete all-round student.

In 1975, he had the proud distinction of captaining Royal College in swimming, and water polo.

It is a very rare combination, that studies and sports go together in hand-in-hand. Charitha was a very rare exception. Another Royalist that comes to my mind is Jehan Mubarak - (cricket and water polo) a double international and a Science Educate from the University of Colombo.

"Sports taught me to be competitive. I learned with determination to achieve something in life. Sports helped me. It was a transfer of training to my real day-to-day life. I learnt to face challenges," stated Pattiaratchi.

He represented Sri Lanka at the Peking Friendship Games and Indo-Sri Lanka Dual Meet in mid 1970s.

In 100 m, free style, Charitha established a national record and became the fastest stroke free style swimmer, ever in 1975. On this particular year, he competed in the all-island athletic meet and was the runner-up in the 1,500 m event.

For athletics it was a big achievement to break the 4 minute barrier. In swimming, it was one minute barrier. Charitha was the second person to beak this barrier after Davinda Subasinghe, who is presently in USA.

Head prefect at Royal

At Royal College, Head Prefectship is given to a student, who shines in studies and sports. In 1976, he was elected as the Head Prefect of Royal College.

"I am very grateful to all teachers at Royal and especially to the Principal L. D. H. Peiris, Vice Principals E. C. Gunasekera and Viji Weerasinghe. They were not only my beloved teachers, but they were my philosophers and guides," remarked Pattiaratchi.

Elected Sri Lanka swimming captain

The year 1976 was a big year for Charitha Pattiaratchi. He was officially selected as Sri Lanka swimming captain. But, he withdrew from the team as he left Sri Lanka to further his studies.

What is Oceanography

He entered the University College of Swansea, Wales and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree, Masters and Doctorate in Applied Mathematics and Oceanography.

Can you briefly explain what this subject - Oceanography?

"It is the physics of the ocean. You learn about tsunamis, tides, currents and mixing. Swimming is combined with science," stated Pattiaratchi.

Gold medallist

During the undergraduate days, 1977-1978, he was the English and Wales Universities swimming champion.

He was the swimming captain of the University of Wales for five years and captain of water polo for ten years, and won the gold award. He was the first Sri Lankan to achieve it up to date - a rare honour indeed.

Many firsts - many records

In Charitha's life, there are many firsts, and many records.

He designed the world's first ever artificial surfing reef, by building a structure under water to control waves break off, Western Australia and Perth.

'Fairest and Best'

His love for water-polo never faded. Even now, he takes part in water polo. For 33 long years, he participated in the Western Australia league water polo competitions. He won the award for the best player titled - Fairest and Best last year.

Soccer coach

There is no life for Pattiaratchi, without sports. He is a qualified soccer coach in Western Australia and he was assigned the duty of coach, of an Australian team, touring Italy, England and Scotland.

A rare academic!

He rose in the academic ladder starting his life as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and today he is the highly respected Professor of Western Australia in Oceanography for the last four years. So far, he has served the university for 18 years.

I met Prof. Pattiaratchi in Sri Lanka, this week, when he is attending a three week training program and lecturing 30 scientists (24 Sri Lankans and 6 foreign scientists) as the POGO (Partnership for Observing the Global Ocean) organisation, as a visiting professor.

He is working together with NARA (National Aquatic Research Development Agency) in Sri Lanka, few years back, as an eminent scientist.

Chip of the old block

He is happily married to Gabriele, a German lady. They have a son and a daughter.

His son is another outstanding water polo player - Nafyn, a physiotherapy student at the University of Notre Dame, Western Australia. Also, he is an Australian Rules Football player. He is the chip of the old block. Both of them play water polo for Citi Bank Beach team, Perth, Australia.

Daughter's name is Tesani - she is a final year student in the high school. She too plays water polo.

Charitha Pattiaratchi has made use of his abilities and expertise to serve humanity. Today, he has been assigned the task of training in tsunami associated services. Undoubtedly, he is a rare character and one of the nicest gentleman I have met.