Tribute: Professor Ranmuthu H Wijayanayake:
Great teacher and researcher
It is with deep regret that we learn the demise of Professor Ranmuthu
H Wijayanayake Founder Dean, Science Faculty and First Professor of
Chemistry, Ruhuna University in January first week 2011 and his remains
were cremated at Kanatte Borella amidst a large gathering of his
colleagues and students.
Prof Wijayanayake |
Prof Wijayanayake was a member of academic staff of the Chemistry
Department, Sri Jayawardenepura University before he joined the
pioneering staff of the Ruhuna University in September 1978 along with
late Professor Alawattagoda Pemadasa as Professor of Botany and
Professor S S de Silva Professor of Zoology.
Academic staff
Prof Wijayanayake
|
* Ruhunu
University Science Faculty Founder Dean
* Ruhunu University first Chemistry professor
* Physical Chemist
by profession
* Helped design Wellamadawa campus buildings |
The majority of other members of the pioneering academic staff were
assistant lecturers in three faculties (Arts, Science and Agriculture)
with late Professor M W Thenasadu as the Director of Ruhuna University
College which was established at Meddawatta Technical College premises
in Matara.
Professor Wijayanayake as the founder Dean of the Science Faculty was
largely responsible along with Geoffry Bawa the well-known architect for
the design and construction of the buildings at Wellamadawa which is
well planned and architecturally designed campus in Sri Lanka other than
Peradeniya University. His foresight and vision in developing the Ruhuna
University College as a full-fledged university was materialized in 1984
when the newly established Ruhuna University began functioning with able
financial guarantee of Government with then Finance Minister Ronnie de
Mel. The other two faculties were the Agriculture Faculty at Mapalana
and Medicine Faculty at Karapaitiya, Galle.
Prestigious positions
The students and staff of the Ruhuna University, a university
considered by the Higher Education Ministry to be one of the six
Universities to be elevated to International level in Sri Lanka is
grateful for Professor Wijayanayake for the tireless work and campaign
he led to make the Ruhuna University a wonderful university in the
Southern Province. He was granted the title 'Emeritus Professor' by the
Council of the Ruhuna University.
He was a silent enterprising character who was loved by all those who
were fortunate to associate with him. A physical chemist by profession
he guided many students to follow special degrees in Chemistry and many
are now in prestigious positions in Sri Lanka and abroad.
He leaves his son (an Engineer) and daughter (a Medical Doctor)
domiciled in USA.
May he attain Nibbana
- Prof Rohan Rajapakse
Acting Vice Chairman University Grants Commission |