By Geewananda Gunawardana and Ranjith Dharmaratne –

Remembering a teacher with affection and admiration after six decades is possible only when that educator has left a profound and enduring imprint on one’s life. Such is the legacy of Emeritus Professor Subramaniam Sotheeswaran, a visionary educator, a distinguished organic chemist, and a global researcher whose career spans more than sixty years and continues to shape generations of students and scholars around the world.

Professor Subramaniam Sotheeswaran

Foundations and Early Milestones

Born on April 12, 1939, in Wattegama in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka, Professor Sotheeswaran began his education at St Peter’s College, Colombo, before moving to Hartley College in Point Pedro, where he studied from 1955 to 1959. He entered the University of Ceylon in 1959 and graduated with a First-Class degree in Chemistry in 1963.

During these years, the Faculty of Science at the newly established University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, was taking shape. Under the leadership of Professor M. U. S. Sultanbawa, supported by Professor Eric Fonseka, the Chemistry Department was founded and was led by Professor Sultanbawa until 1980. Professors G. P. Wannigama, M. Selvaratnam and H. W. Dias were also relocated to Peradeniya, while Professors Ramakrishna, Ariyaratna, and Siriwardana served as visiting lecturers during the formative period. The first cohort of science students was admitted in the 1961–62 academic year.

Upon graduating in 1963, Professor Sotheeswaran joined the academic staff of the Chemistry Department along with his batchmates Drs. Bandaranaike and Nithyanandan. Professor Sotheeswaran’s early appointment places him among the pioneers of Chemistry education at Peradeniya, contributing to the foundation of what would become one of Sri Lanka’s premier centers of scientific learning and research.

Decades of Dedicated Service and Global Impact

Soon after joining Peradeniya, he pursued doctoral studies in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, earning his Ph.D. in 1967. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he played a pivotal role in expanding the Natural Products Chemistry program initiated by Professor Sultanbawa. Working alongside Professors Vijaya Kumar and Savitri Kumar and Dr Sinnathambi Balasubramanium of the Botany Department, he helped build a research enterprise that produced numerous postgraduate scholars who now contribute to research and teaching across the globe. This program brought international recognition to the University of Peradeniya and attracted major funding from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United States Department of Agriculture.

His research interests extended far beyond Sri Lanka. Over the course of his career, he collaborated with or undertook sabbatical work at institutions in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. His work consistently focused on understanding the chemical basis of traditional plant use, whether for food, medicine, or water purification. His research explored antimicrobial and anti-implantation properties of Sri Lankan plants, the water purification potential of Fijian flora, and the nutritional and toxicological aspects of plants used in local diets. Although primarily an organic chemist, he ventured into interdisciplinary research in the early 2000s, co-authoring innovative studies on fiber-optic copper sensors for environmental monitoring and contributing significantly to the understanding of chemical reaction mechanisms.

Professor Sotheeswaran served as a senior lecturer and an Associate Professor at Peradeniya for twenty-two years before joining the University of the South Pacific in Fiji in 1985. Over the next twenty-four years, he served as Professor of Organic Chemistry and later as Dean of the College of Chemical Sciences, shaping the academic trajectory of the institution and influencing generations of Pacific-region chemists. In 2006, he returned to Sri Lanka to join the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, where he has spent nearly two decades as a Senior Professor, continuing to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Asian chemists.

Recognitions

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to chemical research and education, the University of Hull awarded him the prestigious Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in 1987. In 2018, he received the Lifetime Research Award from the Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plants during its International Symposium, an honor that reflects his global impact on natural products chemistry.

A Teacher Remembered

Professor Sotheeswaran’s legacy cannot be measured solely by the positions he held or the institutions he served. His true monument is the global network of scientists, educators, and professionals who trace their academic lineage to his classroom. As former students, the present authors remember his meticulous preparedness, his clarity of explanation, and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that students gained a deep understanding of the subject. In research supervision, he designed undergraduate projects with the explicit intention of enabling students to publish their findings. Even when students could not complete their work on time, he ensured that the gaps were filled so that the research could reach fruition.

He ensured that the international research collaborations he built created pathways for his students to pursue further studies at those institutions. Many of his students benefited from these opportunities, which opened doors to advanced training and academic growth abroad.

Equally memorable was his warmth and accessibility. He was among the most approachable teachers at Peradeniya—kind, non-judgmental, and always willing to help. It was common for a student walking along Galaha Road to be offered a ride in his Austin 1100. Professors Vijaya and Savitri Kumar shared this same spirit of generosity and approachability, creating a culture of mentorship that shaped the intellectual environment of the university.

Life Beyond Academia

His fifty-eight-year marriage to Sivamalar is itself a testament to partnership and shared purpose. Mrs. Sotheeswaran—affectionately known as Mrs. Sothees—contributed significantly to Peradeniya’s academic community as an English language instructor, helping generations of students refine their command of the “Kaduwa,” as English was colloquially known. Today, they enjoy a well-earned retirement in Brisbane, Australia, close to their two daughters.

*The authors wish to acknowledge Drs. Sunil Jayasuriya and Sunil Samaraweera for bringing back some of the memories