Tribute to My Professors

I did not want to hold the post of or become a professor in my twilight years even though, I possessed all the academic qualifications and more. 

I did not want to become a guy with a photograph hung on the walls of my Ulma Mator.

In other words become an empty  silhouette. 

Of course, my photographs which are plenty belong to my extended family. 

I was a photographer from my school days but I am not a video guy.

I hate videos and cellphone photos.

The cellphone killed the Art form of Photography. One of my photographs was published in Common Wealth Today, magazine.

I got a pavement of a Guinea.

I was budding photographer.

That is the bottom line.

This attitude to image or photographs probably comes from my Dhamma attitude or Anatma Principle.

I was an empty phenomenon by default. 

I never said this to my students and colleagues albeit I would be labelled as a psycho on a bright daylight.

Though, I won't line up Buddha as a professor of all professors, he is my Ultimate Teacher from whom I wish one day I acquire the ultimate Wisdom.

By the way, l did not emulate any of the physical features from any of them but tried to assimilate qualitative wisdom that transpired

This piece is to give tribute to all of them except 4 who did not leave any academic impact on me. The first two are not my teachers but contemporaries in different fields of expertise.

1. Professor B. N. R. Mendis 

Dean and UGC Chairman

Man with a Golden Heart

2. A. D. P. Kalansuriya 

Professor of Philosophy

Outside the box thinking was his line of approach in thinking to think.

3. Professor Win Gomes

One with gentle touch with kids.

4. Professor Senaka Bibile

Man with a Global Vision

5. Professor Thambipillai Varugunam

He possessed ample Gunam or qualities

6. Professor Barr Kumara Kulasinghe

Man with principles and won't let his son enter medicine unless he clears the academic hurdle.

His son ended up as an undergraduate in Agriculture.

7. Professor Eugene Wickramanayake

My student advisor

8. Professor A. D. P. Jayathilake

The guy who drived me nuts in Anatomy but all the same a very simple man 

9. Professor George E. Tennakoon 

My mentor in Pathology 

10. T. W. (Tommy) Wicramanayake 

One who introduced me to genomics

He was the founder of the Nuclear Medical Unit in Peradeniya 

Honorary Mention

Sarath Wicramarane who was a senior lecturer in Agriculture. He left the university to do gem business in Singapore.

He was the one who made me to realize that sports in conjunction with academic activities make a complete adult.

He corrected my grip of the Hockey Stick so that I get more advantage in a good and soft scoop. 

Mind you, I was not allowed to play hockey in my school by the sports master. 

He gave the post, I deserved to his brother  Nepotism in play. 

I became the Captain of University Team and beat our own school team 14 to nil. The last goal was by me and I did not want to close my career with the number 13. 

I do not think 13 is a bad number but I can count up to 5 times of it to 65.

13

26

39

52

65

In bridge there are 52 cards and I can now play a good game of Bridge.

Our hockey team was unbeaten and we won against the National Youth Team (under 24) in a friendly game.

I forget the names of my team mates but I have framed photograph of our team.

All left in CEYLON.