Dr. Jayantha Rohana :

He believed in humility and simplicity

Dr. Jayantha Rohana was born at Devinuwara and lived in Nugegoda after marriage. He possessed versatility and a multitude of talent.

He excelled as an exemplary announcer. Jayantha Rohana – the well-known broadcaster, media ‘giant’ and reputed journalist – received plaudits from a wide circle of enthusiastic admirers all over the country.

The uniqueness and the style in his remarkably pleasant voice, earned him enormous reputation, popularity and respect.

He was one of the pioneers of ‘Ruhunu Sevaya’ of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in the early 1980s.

The clarity of his pronunciation and unblemished, impeccable use of language remained as ample evidence of his immense erudition.

Jayantha Rohana, naturally inherited the innate talent of his father, the late Nimal Rohana (born at Tillawatawana, Kahandamodara of the Hambantota District) a celebrated poet and gold medallist who surpassed many a maestri, especially in the matter of making constructive, spontaneous and impromptu poetry.

Jayantha had his primary education at Dapulusen Junior School, Devinuwara, secondary education at St. Thomas College, Matara and higher education at Sri Sumangala College, Panadura.

He graduated from the University of Colombo with a BA Degree in Media. His Ph.D. Was from Nagoya University, Japan. (Incidentally, he was a J.P. all Sri Lanka and holder of Media Title: ‘Madhya Bhusana’).

Jayantha Rohana is no more.

‘Thunmangsala’ published by him in (the National Newspaper) ‘Lankadeepa’, is no more. In fact, people from all walks of life drew inspiration from his ‘Thunmangsala’ satirical poem often using sarcasm, appropriately highlighting an issue or an event of national importance at the particular time. Further more, he contributed articles to newspapers regularly on diverse specialities and his ocean of knowledge was reflected in them. Some of his books, dossiers, periodicals etc. published and in manuscript, bear evidence to the extent of research done; his resourcefulness and brilliance.

Some of the books Dr. Jayantha Rohana wrote and published in Sinhalese are: ‘Janamadhyavedeenta Athpothak’, ‘Sith Neth Gath than’,

Eya Kese Siduveeda? (Volume 1 to 6), ‘Kolamba Viththi’, ‘Viswa Dinapotha’ and (“A Hundred Processions’ is yet another voluminous book in manuscript).

Jayantha Rohana's career included different periods of his employment at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (Colombo and Matara), ‘Rupavahini’ Television, ‘Lankadeepa’ Newspaper etc. It is well-known that he had exceptional, splendid record of performance at his places of employment upto his untimely demise at the age of 62. (Lankadeepa was his place of employment at the time of his passing away). A praiseworthy funeral oration made by a past superior of Jayantha succinctly outlined some of the qualities possessed by Jayantha quoting instances as well and thereby further enhancing the impression that Jayantha Rohana was the broadcaster par excellence.

Respect for elders was Jayantha's forte. His life was rich in human and humane qualities. He believed in humility and simplicity and was with the common man. Irrespective of the distance and the time involved, he was present on any occasion of grief or or happiness. Reciprocally, friends and relations from very far away places attended the funeral of Jayantha and paid their last respects to an illustrious friend r relation who drew enormous popularity pari passu with his pleasing and pacifying disposition.

Dr. Jayantha Rohana's beloved mother Mrs. Rejina Nimal Rohana nee Rejina Ranjanee Abeywarna and only sister Susantha Hemamalee Abeywarna of Devinuwara, beloved wife Mrs. Dhammika Gunaratna of Nugegoda and two sons Harindu Pabasara , Haritha Madhukara and daughter-in-law Roshinie are extremely saddened by his passing away.

Finally, being a paternal close relative, in this tribute, I wish that, Jayantha Rohana attains the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.

His cremation took place on April 22, 2013 at the Borella cemetery.

D.L. Ubeywarna, (Podi Seeya), Panadura

Prof Sudatta Wishwamitra Ranasinghe:

Scholar, mentor and friend par excellence

Prof Sudatta Ranasinghe’s demise did not come as a surprise to many of us who were closely associated with him as he was battling with a terminal illness for some time. However, the realization of the void he has left in management education and research in Sri Lanka and the absence of a mentor to many academics and a close friend to many of us will be very difficult to deal with.

My association with Sudatta and his beloved wife Chitra (pre-deceased him) spans over three decades. All of us were graduates of USJ or Vidyodaya University as it was known at that time.

Later, while I was pursuing a career in the mercantile sector he pursued his passion for social research which was amply nurtured by the many institutions he later opted to serve such as the Marga Institute.

He was a great mentor to me during the early stages of my academic work and this friendship continued over the years and strengthened when I opted to be an academic in later years.

In November 2011, when he was diagnosed with a cancer he shared that shocking news with me.

As can be expected, he was shaken a bit but quickly regained his usual light-hearted and humorous posture and told me that he was compiling a ‘bucket list’ – a list of important things he will do before ‘kicking the bucket’. With that determination, he embarked on several projects.

First was the launch of a book, which contained many of his research publication over several decades, in December 2011 which was well-attended.

This book amply demonstrates his passion to study Sri Lankan management practices from the lens of its broader socio-economic and political environment. Sudatta belonged to a group of Sri Lankan academics who were passionate about understanding the indigenous management practices adopted by our business leaders instead of preaching management concepts that were born in Western contexts.

In 2002, he was a visiting scholar at the University of Queensland where both of us started interviewing company CEOs to understand the fine-grained processes of innovation.

In the following year, 2003, with the funding support from the PIM we continued this study in Sri Lanka, visiting many well-established firms where we probed into their indigenous and innovative management practices which are reported at length in Sudatta’s publications.

I hope there will many academics who will pursue this much rewarding path.

Sudatta’s second project was to work with a colleague on a book of research on human resource management issues in Sri Lanka which was supported by the Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (IPM).

He was working hard to meet a June 2013 deadline and when I met him a few weeks ago he passionately talked about the launching event. It is unfortunate that he will not see the launch of this book which will facilitate a meaningful dialogue between academics and practitioners on HR strategy while facilitating doctoral research.

Overall, his contribution as a trainer, lecturer, administrator and consultant in public and business administration and management education of Sri Lankan is well known.

He made a substantial contribution in the early development of many institutions namely the National Institute of Plantations Management (NIPM), Sri Lanka Foundations Institute (SLFI), Marga Institute and the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM).

His middle name Wishwamitra ideally fits with the warmth and uncompromising friendship he extended to his ‘universe’ of friends. He has been a caring friend during and after university days and a great mentor to many young faculty members and MBA and MPA students who sought his guidance.

He strongly believed in developing research competence and advancing knowledge as a foundation for an academic career. He often expressed his dismay at seeing some people trying short cuts to success. Farewell my friend! May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!

-Associate Professor Jay

Weerawardena, University of Queensland, Australia