மொரட்டுவ பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் முன்னாள் வேந்தர் இயற்கை எய்தினார்

இலங்கை, மொரட்டுவ பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் முன்னாள் வேந்தர் வித்தியாஜோதி Philip Rayvatha Wijewardene அவர்கள் சுகவீனம் காரணமாக நேற்று இயற்கை எய்தினார்.

Death of Dr Ray Wijewardena

Dr. Ray Wijewardane, popularly remembered in Sri lanka for the introduction of Dendro Power, passed away yesterday after a brief illness. A onetime Chancellor of University of Moratuwa he is recognized for his accomplishment in the field of engineering.

He was an old boy of S Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and a Cambridge University (UK) and graduate in three engineering disciplines - Aviation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering. He had a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School as well.

He was conferred the title of Vidya-Jyothi in 1988 and an a honorary degree of doctor of Science from the University of Moratuwa in 1994 in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology.

He was appointed Head of Agricultural Engineering at the Agricultural Engineering Research and Development Institute in Malaysia, a Research Institute set up by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

He served in this post during the yeas 1972 and 1973. From 1974 to 1980, he served as head of the Agricultural Engineering and Research Division of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture based in Nigeria.

In Sri Lanka he served in the Tea Research Board Chairman, and also as a member, Mahaweli Authority, Coconut development Authority, Coconut Research Board, Presidential Task Force on Science and Technology, and Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies.

தகவல் மூலம்: Daily News

Vidya-Jyothi Dr Ray Wijewardena

Chancellor, University of Moratuwa from October 2002

At 78, Vidya-Jyothi Philip Rayvatha Wijewardene is yet full of vim and vigour. His accomplishments in the sphere of engineering are almost unparalleled among his countrymen. He is an old boy of St Thomas' College, Mout Lavinia (Sri Lanka) and a Cambridge University (UK) graduate in three engineering disciplines- Aviation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering. He has also fortified his erudition with a Master's degree in Business Administration from the prestigious Harvard Business School. He was conferred the title of Vidya-Jyothi in 1988 and an Honorary Fellowship ofSilsoe College, University of Cranfield (UK) in 1994 and a honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Moratuwa in 1994 in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology.

After returning to Sri Lanka, he took an active interest in issues related to farming practices; having physically stepped into the paddy fields of the Kalawewa area. He looked critically and scientifically at the farming practices prevaling at that time. Among his foremost engineering marvels is the world's first two wheeled tractor- the Landmaster two wheeled tractor, which he pioneered in Nottingham in 1955. During the Nineteen Sixties and early Nineteen Seventies over 300,000 units were sold in 27 countries including Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia and Japan.

A man of many parts, he was placed fourth in Yatching at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, and won a Silver Medal at the Asian Games in Bangkok.

The innovative thinking of Dr Wijewardena continued and his services were much in demand both in Sri Lanka and abroad. He was appointed Head of Agricultural Engineering at the Agricultural Engineering Research and Development Institute in Malaysia, a Research Institute set up by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. He served in this post during the years 1972 and 1973. From 1974 to 1980, he served as Head of the Agricultural Engineering and Research Division of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture based in Nigeria.

Back in Sri Lanka in the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, he served in the Tea Research Board as Chairman, and also as a member, Mahaweli Authority, Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Research Board, Presidential Task Force on Science and Technology, and Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies.

He has been the author of several publications on Conservation Farming including Management of Weed and Fertility yielding Maximisation of Agricultural Productivity based on his innovative and revolutionary concepts and philosophies on farming methods appropriate to the tropical setting.

He may be described as a Scientist and Agricultural Engineer whose vision is focussed several decades into the future, penetrating the superficial symptoms, to the roots of problems perceived in the present.

His other hobbies include designing and making aircraft at home and flying them!! He has contributed with practical skills and innovative thinking to Air Transportation appropriate to humid tropical countries such as Sri Lanka, invoking fixed wing, power driven and auto driven rotor aircraft.

தகவல் மூலம்: Daily News