Stanley Wijesundera
Encyclopedia
Stanley Wijesundera was a Sri Lanka
n academic. A Professor
of Chemistry
, he was the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo
from 1979 to 1989 and was the Chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
from 1983 to 1984.
He was born in Kandy
, educated at Trinity College
, Dharmaraja College
and Ananda College
. Entering the University of Ceylon
he studied at both the Colombo campus and Peradeniya campus graduating with a BSc
(Honours) in Chemistry. Going on to the University of London
he gained his MSc
and DSc
and his PhD
from the University of Oxford
.
On return to Ceylon he was appointed as a lecturer in the University of Ceylon, where he went on to become a Professor of Chemistry, thereafter Dean of the Faculty of Science and later was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo when it was established as an Independent university after the disestablishment of University of Sri Lanka
.
During the 1987–89 JVP Insurrection, Prof Wijesundera came under pressure from elements of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
to shutdown the university, which was steadfastly refused by him. This led to his assassination at the Library Room in the College House
by members of the JVP
on March 8, 1989.
He was married the daughter Walter Wijewardena and was the brother-in-law was the Upali Wijewardene
. He was the Basnayake Nilame of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
, a post later taken up by his son Shalitha Wijesundara former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Airports Authority and current Provincial Councilor, Western Province
.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n academic. A Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, he was the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo
University of Colombo
The University of Colombo is a public research university located primarily in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
from 1979 to 1989 and was the Chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities represents over 480 universities from Commonwealth countries.- History :In 1912, the University of London took the initiative to assemble 53 representatives of universities in London to hold a Congress of Universities of the Empire...
from 1983 to 1984.
He was born in Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
, educated at Trinity College
Trinity College, Kandy
Trinity College, Kandy founded in 1872 by Anglican missionaries, is an Independent elite private boys’ school providing primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka...
, Dharmaraja College
Dharmaraja College, Kandy
Dharmaraja College , founded in 1887 is a premier Boys' School in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist school with around 175 teaching staff and around 4,500 students. The school has many renowned figures in its alumni including William Gopallawa, A. E...
and Ananda College
Ananda College
Ananda College , Colombo which is considered as the leading National school in Sri Lanka, was established on November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott...
. Entering the University of Ceylon
University of Ceylon
The University of Ceylon was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1942 until 1972. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced it with the University of Sri Lanka which existed from 1973 to 1978. In 1978 it was...
he studied at both the Colombo campus and Peradeniya campus graduating with a BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
(Honours) in Chemistry. Going on to the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
he gained his MSc
MSC
- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
and DSc
DSC
-in academia:* D.Sc., Doctor of Science* Doctor of Surgical Chiropody, superseded in the 1960s by Doctor of Podiatric Medicine* Dalton State College, Georgia* Daytona State College, Florida* Deep Springs College, California* Dixie State College of Utah...
and his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
On return to Ceylon he was appointed as a lecturer in the University of Ceylon, where he went on to become a Professor of Chemistry, thereafter Dean of the Faculty of Science and later was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo when it was established as an Independent university after the disestablishment of University of Sri Lanka
University of Sri Lanka
The University of Sri Lanka was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1972 until 1978. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced the University of Ceylon with the University of Sri Lanka. In 1978 it was separated...
.
During the 1987–89 JVP Insurrection, Prof Wijesundera came under pressure from elements of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
to shutdown the university, which was steadfastly refused by him. This led to his assassination at the Library Room in the College House
College House, Colombo
College House is the administrative center of the University of Colombo, situated in the Cinnamon Gardens suburb of Colombo, it is a national heritage site....
by members of the JVP
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa is a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Sri Lanka. The party was involved in two armed uprisings against the ruling governments in 1971 and 1987-89...
on March 8, 1989.
He was married the daughter Walter Wijewardena and was the brother-in-law was the Upali Wijewardene
Upali Wijewardene
Philip Upali Wijewardene was a well-known businessman in Sri Lanka who established the Upali Group. At the time of his death, Wijewardene had branched in to newspapers, confectionery and even started a domestic air line named Upali Air...
. He was the Basnayake Nilame of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. The Chief Incumbent is Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera....
, a post later taken up by his son Shalitha Wijesundara former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Airports Authority and current Provincial Councilor, Western Province
Western Province, Sri Lanka
The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.-Districts:Basnahira is divided into 3 districts:...
.