On the retirement of an eminent scientist in fisheries and aquatic science in Sri Lanka: a personal approach

Abstract

The current issue of Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences is dedicated to Professor M.J.S. Wijeyaratne (Department of Zoology & Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka) for his 40 years of uninterrupted contribution to research on fisheries and aquatic sciences in Sri Lanka. After his secondary school education at Royal College, Colombo, he entered the University of Sri Lanka, Vidyalankara Campus and was graduated with BSc Special degree in Zoology in 1975 with a Second Class Upper Division Honours. After joining the Vidyalankara Campus of the University of Sri Lanka (presently University of Kelaniya) as a probationary lecturer in 1976, he won the Fulbright scholarship and obtained MSc degree in the field of Natural Resources from University of Michigan, USA in 1978 and subsequently PhD from University of Kelaniya in 1984. During his career, Professor Wijeyaratne has so far authored 100 research papers in indexed journals and scholarly volumes, 14 textbooks and edited volumes, 97 research communications and also contributed as a consultant for 81 development projects both in Sri Lanka and overseas. University of Kelaniya has recently celebrated 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Science. After establishment of the Faculty of Science in this university in 1967, the research culture in the Sri Lankan university system has moved towards a new paradigm, especially in the field of fisheries and aquatic sciences. Professor H.H. Costa, the founder Professor of Zoology in the University of Kelaniya (then Vidyalankara University) was instrumental to make the Department of Zoology in University of Kelaniya the Centre of Excellence in research on fisheries and aquatic sciences in Sri Lanka. Professor Wijeyaratne was the first BSc Honours