Prof. Canagarayam Suriyakumaran
Career and Life
Prof. C. Suriyakumaran, Internationalist, former United Nations civil servant, specialist in Local Government and Devolution, Economist, Environmentalist and Writer is also the winner of United Nation’s Sasakawa Environment prize in 1995.
He is just one or two of a very select band who visibly and directly created, or was associated in the creation of, a number of truly outstanding international programmes and institutions. A citation of some of these makes them a roll-call of honour in the international scene.
They include the setting up of the Asian Development Bank in 1965, followed by a number of others in the succeeding years, in both the economic and environment fields, first as Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, and later as UNEP's Global Director for Education, Training and Technical Assistance, and the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
The other creations included institutions such as the Bangkok Trade Agreement, the Asian Clearing Union, the Asian Coconut Community, the UNEP-UNESCO Global Environment Education Programme, and an outstanding set of sub-regional co-operative Environment Programme Organizations for ASEAN, the South Pacific and South Asia.
His services had been so notable that he was knighted at the end of his UN career by the King of Thailand, at the UN's Asian headquarters, for outstanding services to Asia - only the second United Nations civil servant to be so honored.
Just recently, upon the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations in 1995, he had the unique distinction again, of being awarded what was widely known as 'The Environment's Noble Prize,' the United Nations Sasakawa World Environment Award - according to the citation, "for pioneering our responses and perceptions in the environment field, providing concrete models in support of them, and playing key roles in shaping policies and programmes in the United Nations."
Close on the heels of this award, he was elected Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environment Management (CIWEM), headquartered in the UK and recognized as one of the world's lead organizations in this field.
Since retirement from the UN he has been Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the first Sri Lankan to do so, and had the distinction of his pioneering book, 'The Wealth of Poor Nations' sponsored and published by the LSE.
He has been a profile writer of original books, papers and articles, and a much praised speaker both here and abroad in all his topic areas, including religion and philosophy.
Said Minister Natwar Singh of India, after Prof. Suriyakumaran's reflective address at the Gamini Dissanayake 50th birth anniversary meeting that it was the best impromptu speech he had ever heard!
A past President (Section F) of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science, his 1963 Presidential Address titled 'On looking into 1980' is still remembered as one of the notable products in futuristic thinking.
In Sri Lanka, unique among contribution he had promoted and helped design integrated post-graduate level Environment-Development Courses at universities such as Peradeniya, Moratuwa and the Eastern University - still however in various stages of consideration or adoption.
One of the most distinguished old boys of St. Anthony's College, Kandy, and winner, inter alia, of the coveted All Rounders Bede Memorial Prize (not awarded every year as a matter of course), he was feted by his school at a banquet on the occasion of his receiving the World Environment Prize. As ardent supporter of the School at all times, he used the opportunity to set up the award of an annual Triple Environment Prize, beginning 1997.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, a group of admirers and authors Worldwide sponsored a Felicitation Volume in Prof. Suriyakumaran's honor, of select writings on various subjects, as well as appreciation's on him. This effort was led by the late, Mr. T. B. Subasinghe, and a galaxy of others from here and abroad. Some of their observations were as follows;
'There were few parallels of so many achievements,' said T. B. Subasinghe. 'Was venerated by agencies and governments... Carried charisma, gravitas and outstanding diplomatic leadership,' wrote Dr. Goodland now at the World Bank.
'Example for all International Civil Servants,' stated India's K. B. Lall. 'Multi-faceted and priceless,' remarked S. Z. Qasim former Head of India's Oceanographic Centre and Member, Planning Commission and Secretary to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 'His lectures attracted wide disciplines and the diplomatic community,' said the East West Centre.
'Left his stamp on the map of Asia', wrote Mostafa K. Tolba. 'Primary source of new and innovative initiatives during his career, said Maurice Strong. 'Excellent harmonising of resource management and development,' wrote the late Tinbergen.
'Insights into Environment and Development, a full decade before Brundtland,' wrote George Francis from Canada, Ken Piddington from New Zealand and the late Sunil Roy of India. Stated one of his admirers here, 'In local government, one of the Brains Trusts.'
'In the mould of renaissance man,' concluded another. 'Prof. Suriyakumaran stands elevated as an eco-pilgrim who deserves respect and listening to,' stated Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku in review.
"Furthering Asian Co-operation and trouble shooting at the center of this web was C. Suriyakumaran at ECAFE. "Proud to be a close associate, fellow Environmentalist, and a fellow Countryman of his" wrote K. H. J. Wijeyadasa.
His vintage service to his country goes back to the intimate association that S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike gave opportunity for him to have, during the pioneering days of the '40's of Bandaranaike's ideas on Local Government and Regional Councils, culminating in the aborted B/C Pact.
As a young officer during the 40's, taking up position as the first Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Province, it was he who brought rural electrification and initiated an integrated development plan process by Peoples Organisations in Jaffna, instituted the expansion of the famed Keerimalai Tanks and a master plan for the area, which had the full backing of Bandaranaike, the first roadway to the famed Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Manner, and, others.
Down the years, he had been known to have been sought after by political parties of various types, and while being grateful to them, he has declined political affiliations or honours although remaining deeply committed to the public weal.
Perhaps the best concluding words on Prof. Suriyakumaran may be those from some of the contributors to the Felicitation Volume on him mentioned above that in each of their areas of work and knowledge, he had, over the years been a 'guru' to them.
With the closure of CRDS primarily due to Prof. Suriyakumaran's recent illness, the center has set up a Rs. 5 million "Vision 2000 Annual Prize Programme" for truly innovative work in any area, on concrete, indigenous, technological adaptations or creations, with a National Board of Directors consisting of Rev. Chandraratne Thera (Ritigala Hamuduruwo), Mr. Shelton Ranaraja, Mrs. Ranaraja, Mr. G. Krishnamurthi, Dr. S. Raveendranath of Eastern University, Prof. Ashley Perera of Moratuwa University and Mr. Jayantha Wickramanayake formerly of The Asia Foundation, with Mr. Godfrey Goonetilleke as Special Member/Advisor.
Just recently, Prof. Suriyakumaran, who was awarded the 1995 United Nations / UNEP - Sasakawa World Environment Prize, has in association with all Winners of this Prize from its inception in 1984, produced a global letter entitled "Environment 2000 to the Peoples of the World" now with the United Nations and UNEP, - as it states a far reaching document "Not on Limits to Growth" but "Guide to Growth" for the future of all countries developed and developing.
His publications include:
The wealth of poor nations New edition. Madras: T.R. Publications (1996).
The methodology of environment and development management Colombo: Centre for Regional Development Studies (1993).
Environmental planning for development Colombo: Center for Regional Development Studies (1992)
"Hinduism" for Hindus and non-Hindus: Its religion and metaphysics Colombo: Dept. of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka (1990)
The wealth of poor nations London and New York: Croom Helm. (1984)
Prof. Suriyakumaran passed away at the age of 84 in 2006, after a brief illness.
We at AUGA hereby salute him on his momentous achievement and the fame he has brought unto the dear Alma Mater.
Reference: Online news sources
