Appreciation:

Prof. Kamal Karunanayake

COLOMBO: Eminent Economist, intellectual, politician and administrator Prof. Kamal Karunanayake died on November 18. The demise of Prof. Karunanayake who rendered a great service to the education sector and the national development effort is a grave loss to the nation.

Prof. Karunanayake who was born on April 29, 1937 was 69-years-old at the time of his death. After obtaining a BA (Hons) degree in Economics from the Peradeniya University in 1962 he received a doctorate from the Birmingham University in England in 1969.

Prof. Karunanayake who was an outstanding university lecturer joined the Kelaniya University as a lecturer in Economics in 1963 soon after his graduation from Peradeniya.

He served the Kelaniya University as a senior lecturer and professor from 1963 to 1975 and thereafter from 1995 to 2001. He was attached to the Ahamadubelo University in Nigeria as a visiting lecturer from 1977-1979 and also participated in many workshops and seminars abroad.

He excelled not only as an educationist but also as an efficient administrator. He was the Registrar of the University of Sri Lanka from 1974 to 1976 when all other universities in Sri Lanka were affiliated to it as campuses.

He also served as head of the Kelaniya University Economics Department twice. I had the privilege of working with him when he held this post during the second period from 1998-2000. I was an assistant lecturer and he gave me all necessary advice and guidance to improve my skills.

He loved to entertain friends with interesting past stories whenever he had any spare time. His charming qualities and friendly nature endeared him to both his contemporaries and juniors.

He was also a stickler for detail who searched for the root cause of any problem and acted fast to resolve it. Prof. Karunanayake rendered his official duties with great responsibility and commitment.

Apart from the Kelaniya University, he has rendered service to many other educational institutions. He was Executive Director, Institute of Social and Economic Studies, Coordinator/Consultant, Sri Jayewardenepura University's Institute of Post Graduate Management and Consultant Marga Institute and several other local and foreign State and private sector institutions.

Prof. Karunanayake who became an active member of the SLFP through youth organisations was a close associate of late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

He made a great contribution towards the formulation of SLFP policies. He also served as a PA nominated MP from 1989 to 1994. He rendered a great service towards the victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the last presidential election and served as his Economic Advisor.

As a critic and economic analyst he expressed his views in a forthright manner. He has also written many research papers on Economics, Public Administration, Local Government and Political Science. He helped the Kelaniya University to undertake many foreign sponsored research projects.

Intellectuals like him had been a beacon to the university sector in Sri Lanka. May he attain Nibbana.

His funeral will be held this evening at the General Cemetery, Borella.

Osantha Thalpawila, Senior Lecturer , University of Kelaniya