Knighting Space

Ishara Jayawardane

"It dawned on me how vast the length and the enormity of the journey was that I have traveled. From those early years when the sky had fascinated me to the present when I have taken part in creating laws and regulations to tether the infinite plains of outer space."

Justice Christy Weeramanthri

Young Jasentuliyana looked up at the sky and its myriad stars from Ambalangoda. So many stars! It seemed as if he could rise up and be one with them. And as he looked at them, he had no idea that his fate was already being carved out in the Universe.

Award recipient

The light from these stars reaching him, as he stood mesmerized by them. Perhaps these stars were already dead, their light reaching him only then. A little boy on a lonely planet in the Milky way in such a vast universe, how could he know what the cosmos would have in store for him? For one day, he would not only be a proud son of Sri Lanka but a gift to the world of academia and science.

Nandasiri Jasentuliyana was the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and President International institute of Space Law. His career at the United Nations spanned almost 40 years. He possesses advanced degrees in law and international relations from the University of Ceylon and University of London. He is also an attorney at law. He was formerly a Deputy Director General of the United Nations office in Vienna.

He is also the recipient of the 1982 Testimonial award of the International Astronautical Federation awarded annually in recognition for important contribution to space law and policy.

Space is miraculous but the human mind does not fully know Outer Space or understand its vastness and possibilities.

The brain cannot fully comprehend its immense potential for learning and the knowledge that it contains. Black holes, entire galaxies, planets, solar systems, have been discovered.

But the incredible possibilities of space are more than all of this. Is space timeless and infinite? Can our further understanding of space help us understand life itself and origins? Can our knowledge of space help us discover different realities or different worlds?

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara receives a copy from Nandasiri Jasenthuliyana. Pictures by Nissanka Wijerathne

Vijitha Yapa and Nandasiri Jasenthuliyana

Scientists and Lay people are now talking about time warps and parallel universes. Time warps that can transport us from one end of the Universe to another. Is there life on other planets? Nandasiri Jasentuliyana is one such man who inspires us to ask these questions. His book 'Same Sky, Different Nights' was launched last Tuesday.

Accumulation of lives

Former Judge of the International Court of Justice serving as vice president and former Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and currently an Emeritus Professor at Monash University, Justice Christie Weeramantry spoke at the occasion.

"This is an occasion of great importance not only to Sri Lanka but to the world in general. It is in fact a small piece of history. History is mainly an accumulation of lives. Together they make history. Some outstanding people have been involved in history. The author of today is one of those distinguished people.

Because history is shaped not only by current events but also by the thoughts and words of those who have planned. And here we have in our midst, we are privileged to have in our midst one of those who by the means of today has put in thought, effort and dedication to planning the future of humanity.

Because humanity has lived for long on this planet earth. Planet earth has been our only home. We have had charge of the affairs of planet earth for tens of thousands of years and we have plundered it.

We have not created a just and peaceful world here on earth. And now as we begin to visualize outer space. We must think in terms of introducing some order into outer space. Some law and order. There must be architects of that law in the future. And here we have in our midst one of the prime architects of the future.

Work that you and I do may have impacts on the following years but work by people of his caliber do in regards to topics of that nature will have there impacts for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Because as we venture into outer space, we are entering a realm where no law prevails. We have to make the law from that for that area, we have to mold it and see that we put in the necessary mechanisms which will ensure that even though we have bungled the affairs on earth we will not bungle them in outer space," said Weeramantry.

Weeramantry also advocated peaceful use of outer space.

"We do not want outer space to degenerate into an area where arms and other forms of attack are transported.

Deployment of weapons in outer space should be closely regulated. Outer space has become a region of communication for the whole world."

Finally, the man we had all been waiting for to hear Nandasiri Jasentuliyana took to the podium. "In many ways the launching of a book is like the birth of a child. The difference is that healthy ordinary children are continuously born. Thus, not every birth is likely to stir many hearts and souls. Books are the same. If the book is truly great, it will stir the finest souls. If it is merely mediocre, it can still play an important role by moving mediocre people. Today is a special milestone in my 75-year journey in this life in this world.

The journey began in Sri Lanka. It allowed me to absorb a great deal of history of this unique people and land of which I am a part.

This land prepared me to go abroad, to encounter the world to learn and do so many things most people are not privileged to be able to do. To me it has been a special journey. Today I'm home in Sri Lanka as a citizen of the world. I hope this book has captured the spirit, the love, the adventure, care and the support that has surrounded my life for more than 50 years abroad. Today you are here at a critical stopping place in my life's journey. I have come home before you, with my book to report, recall and appreciate those who helped me during my life."