Deshamannya, Vidya-Jyothi Dr. Ray Wijewardene
The founder of Bolgoda Regatta and the initiator of 2K rowing in Sri Lanka.
He is one of the most sensible and down to earth scientists Sri Lanka has ever produced
Dr. Philip Revatha (Ray) Wijewardene, was an proficient engineer, aviator, inventor,
Olympian and a public intellectual of the highest caliber. Were being a Thomian and
a scholar of Cambridge (UK) his accomplishments in the specialty of engineering are
almost incomparable among his countrymen.
Dr. Philip Revatha (Ray) Wijewardene, was an proficient engineer, aviator, inventor,
Olympian and a public intellectual of the highest caliber. Were being a Thomian and
a scholar of Cambridge (UK) his accomplishments in the specialty of engineering are
almost incomparable among his countrymen.
Young Ray graduated in 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 of Silsoe 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.
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 of Silsoe 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.
He may be described as a Scientist and Agricultural Engineer whose vision is focused
several decades into the future. Among his foremost engineering marvels is the world's
first two wheeled tractor- the Landmaster. The innovative thinking of Dr.Wijewardene
continued and his services were much in demand both in Sri Lanka and abroad. He
served in the posts of Head of Agricultural Engineering in Malaysia and Nigeria in
nineteen seventies.
several decades into the future. Among his foremost engineering marvels is the world's
first two wheeled tractor- the Landmaster. The innovative thinking of Dr.Wijewardene
continued and his services were much in demand both in Sri Lanka and abroad. He
served in the posts of Head of Agricultural Engineering in Malaysia and Nigeria in
nineteen seventies.
Back in Sri Lanka 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. Dr.Ray Wijewardene was the successor of Sir Arthur C. Clarke,
in the post of Chancellor, University of Moratuwa from year 2002.
member, Mahaweli Authority, Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Research
Board, Presidential Task Force on Science and Technology, and Arthur C. Clarke Centre
for Modern Technologies. Dr.Ray Wijewardene was the successor of Sir Arthur C. Clarke,
in the post of Chancellor, University of Moratuwa from year 2002.
His hobbies included designing and making aircraft. The Kitfox was Ray’s greatest
creation. The manqué is now 25 years old and very popular all over the world. Dr.Ray
was a person who brought fame to the country through his diverse talents and interests
and did immense services.
creation. The manqué is now 25 years old and very popular all over the world. Dr.Ray
was a person who brought fame to the country through his diverse talents and interests
and did immense services.
Though, this article can be continue up to several pages with the achievements,
inventions etc about “RAY-The Academic”, now it’s time for me to reveal the most
inspiring and unknown stories which are lying in the character of “RAY-The Sportsman”.
inventions etc about “RAY-The Academic”, now it’s time for me to reveal the most
inspiring and unknown stories which are lying in the character of “RAY-The Sportsman”.
Being an Olympian (in Yachting) in 1968 Mexico Olympics and winning the Silver medal
in 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok (in Yachting with Ekendra Edirisinghe) are the highlights
of his career in sports. Rowing, Water Polo, Kayaking were few other water sports that
he has done apart from Yachting. He could have been Sri Lanka’s first Rowing Blue, by
rowing in the Cambridge University Crew in the famous Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race
but unfortunately due to an accident just prior to the Race, he was out of the selection.
Even most of the people pass their middle age, loses the interest of active participation
in sports, Dr. Ray never thought it was the time to stop. Once he expressed to us in one
of our meetings with him, about the interest on Bungee jumping and Parachute Jumping
two of most adventurous events a man can do. He was at his eighties at that time.
in 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok (in Yachting with Ekendra Edirisinghe) are the highlights
of his career in sports. Rowing, Water Polo, Kayaking were few other water sports that
he has done apart from Yachting. He could have been Sri Lanka’s first Rowing Blue, by
rowing in the Cambridge University Crew in the famous Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race
but unfortunately due to an accident just prior to the Race, he was out of the selection.
Even most of the people pass their middle age, loses the interest of active participation
in sports, Dr. Ray never thought it was the time to stop. Once he expressed to us in one
of our meetings with him, about the interest on Bungee jumping and Parachute Jumping
two of most adventurous events a man can do. He was at his eighties at that time.
Dr. Ray was the number one enthusiast of the University of Moratuwa sports when he
was holding the post of Chancellor of the University. He was among the spectators in
any sports event whenever he can, to appreciate the performances of sportsmen.
was holding the post of Chancellor of the University. He was among the spectators in
any sports event whenever he can, to appreciate the performances of sportsmen.
Rowing was one of his most favorite sports when he was the Chancellor of the
University, where he has fed with ideas, guidance, motivating and also by financing.
His innovative thoughts were the foundation in the present huge advancement of Sri
Lankan Rowing which was only fortified in 1000m course in Beira Lake at that time.
University, where he has fed with ideas, guidance, motivating and also by financing.
His innovative thoughts were the foundation in the present huge advancement of Sri
Lankan Rowing which was only fortified in 1000m course in Beira Lake at that time.
The idea about a regatta in a 2000m (2K) course, for the first time in Sri Lanka, when
everyone else is not even thought about, was an idea that only comes to a person like
him, who is always, be an innovator. He had huge ideas about 2000m rowing in Sri
Lanka and about the opportunities of advancing the standards of Rowing in Sri Lanka
with the help of it.
everyone else is not even thought about, was an idea that only comes to a person like
him, who is always, be an innovator. He had huge ideas about 2000m rowing in Sri
Lanka and about the opportunities of advancing the standards of Rowing in Sri Lanka
with the help of it.
The first Bolgoda Regatta of 2003(Bolgoda Scull Regatta 2003) which has been started
by the University of Moratuwa rowing team under the guidance by Dr.Ray, was the
first ever regatta in a 2000m course (international distance) in Sri Lanka. His personal
involvement in finding sponsors, venues, boat transportation and many other related
activities was a great strength for the Mora Oarsmen who had involved in organizing
the Bolgoda regatta in its inception years. Once when the organizing committee of
Bolgoda Regatta was in a big trouble at the last moment when one of the venue owners
requested for a huge fee to hold the event at his premises, Dr.Ray has personally paid
that amount to him. It was one of the valuable mediations of Dr.Ray in advancement of
the Bolgoda Regatta.
by the University of Moratuwa rowing team under the guidance by Dr.Ray, was the
first ever regatta in a 2000m course (international distance) in Sri Lanka. His personal
involvement in finding sponsors, venues, boat transportation and many other related
activities was a great strength for the Mora Oarsmen who had involved in organizing
the Bolgoda regatta in its inception years. Once when the organizing committee of
Bolgoda Regatta was in a big trouble at the last moment when one of the venue owners
requested for a huge fee to hold the event at his premises, Dr.Ray has personally paid
that amount to him. It was one of the valuable mediations of Dr.Ray in advancement of
the Bolgoda Regatta.
He has not only become the initiator of 2000m rowing in Sri Lanka, after that historical
event in 2003 but also became the pioneer of taking the first step to extend Rowing
out of Colombo.
event in 2003 but also became the pioneer of taking the first step to extend Rowing
out of Colombo.
This step has been advanced up to the first ever international regatta in Sri Lanka,
The South Asian Games 2006 Rowing event which was held at the same venue with
the technical facilitation of University of Moratuwa Rowing team, which has given the
opportunity to watch the National Teams of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
competing in Bolgoda. He was there to witness his idea became a reality and watched
the regatta for hours in immense interest even though many of the spectators and
participants were not known who he was. In his message in the Souvenir of Bolgoda
Regatta 2007,had expressed his feeling as “As a very keen national oarsman, myself, I
am very pleased to extend every support to the oarsmen of Moratuwa university for
this, their fourth annual regatta to be held over what has since become the only truly
successful and international level rowing course (2000 meters) in Sri Lanka…” In present
this is the venue for the Sri Lanka National Rowing Championship and so many other
national and international level regattas.
The South Asian Games 2006 Rowing event which was held at the same venue with
the technical facilitation of University of Moratuwa Rowing team, which has given the
opportunity to watch the National Teams of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
competing in Bolgoda. He was there to witness his idea became a reality and watched
the regatta for hours in immense interest even though many of the spectators and
participants were not known who he was. In his message in the Souvenir of Bolgoda
Regatta 2007,had expressed his feeling as “As a very keen national oarsman, myself, I
am very pleased to extend every support to the oarsmen of Moratuwa university for
this, their fourth annual regatta to be held over what has since become the only truly
successful and international level rowing course (2000 meters) in Sri Lanka…” In present
this is the venue for the Sri Lanka National Rowing Championship and so many other
national and international level regattas.
This gentleman didn’t had any hesitation in guiding the Mora Oarsmen towards the
advancement of rowing in Sri Lanka, who has conducted number of discussions at his
place with the oarsmen, past oarsmen, coaches and even the academic staff members
of the university even in his last few years of life. His presence as a spectator or as a
guest in almost all the Bolgoda Regattas, Inter University Regattas and other sports
events were great strength and honor to both the organizers and the participants.
advancement of rowing in Sri Lanka, who has conducted number of discussions at his
place with the oarsmen, past oarsmen, coaches and even the academic staff members
of the university even in his last few years of life. His presence as a spectator or as a
guest in almost all the Bolgoda Regattas, Inter University Regattas and other sports
events were great strength and honor to both the organizers and the participants.
He was humble enough to reply to almost all the emails that we are sending to him
regarding rowing. He always had the time to give his comments, ideas and guidance to
us, to encourage us in bad periods and also to greet us in our achievements in rowing.
regarding rowing. He always had the time to give his comments, ideas and guidance to
us, to encourage us in bad periods and also to greet us in our achievements in rowing.
It is a great honor to mention about this great academic, Olympian, inventor, aviator,
patriot, sportsman and the simple man, named Dr.Ray Wijewardena in the 8th Bolgoda
Regatta souvenir, where without him this event and 2K rowing in Sri Lanka will not be a
reality.
patriot, sportsman and the simple man, named Dr.Ray Wijewardena in the 8th Bolgoda
Regatta souvenir, where without him this event and 2K rowing in Sri Lanka will not be a
reality.
Dananjaya Bandara
University of Moratuwa Rowing Team (2002-2008)
University of Moratuwa Rowing Team (2002-2008)
Source(s): Bolgoda Scull Regatta 2003 Souvenir, www.wikipedia.com, www.mrt.ac.lk,
Newspaper Articles (S. Thomas' College Old Boys' Forum)- Philip Rayvatha (Ray) Wijewardene,
Ray: The last Renaissance man, Memories of our flying days, Old pilots never die, they go to a
new plane, Not a plain man by a long shot.
Newspaper Articles (S. Thomas' College Old Boys' Forum)- Philip Rayvatha (Ray) Wijewardene,
Ray: The last Renaissance man, Memories of our flying days, Old pilots never die, they go to a
new plane, Not a plain man by a long shot.
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