By Vijaya Kumar –
Kumar David (1941-2024)
Kumar David is no more. Readers of Colombo Telegraph will no more receive his incisive comments on Sri Lankan and global politics and his occasional contributions on science and technology. A sad loss for Colombo Telegraph and for intellectual dialogue on Sri Lanka.
I have known Professor Kumar David for around sixty years from when we were finishing our undergraduate careers, him in Engineering and I in Science. We were both heavily involved in Sasamaja politics but he was in the movement long before me and he and the capricious Wijedoru may be considered my mentors. Both were active members and had participated in the 1964 Conference which led to the Samarakkody split in the Party. Although I was associated with the LSSP from 1964, I officially joined the movement in Colombo in 1965 but moved to Kandy soon after. While being ardent Marxists arguing about the policies of the Fourth International, we put in much effort into electoral politics in our attempt to establish a left government. We were overjoyed when the left united in 1967 to form the United Left Front.
One of its early victories for which we worked was the Borella by-election where Comrade Vivienne was able to pull off a spectacular victory against M H Mohamed. But we were soon to be disappointed when the Front collapsed with the LSSP entering into coalition with the SLFP. While I could not work for the victory of the SLFP-LSSP-CP United Front government of 1970 as I was in Britain at that time, Kumar played a significant role. However many of us were getting disillusioned with the LSSP’s role in government. Many comrades in Kandy including Lal Wijenayake and a formidable Peradeniya group (Vikramabahu, Kumar David, Sumanasiri and me) began meeting as the Vaama Samasajaya group, discussing theoretical problems in Marxism and the alternative approaches available. The Vaama group became an important segment of the LSSP with leadership provided by Vasu, who was an MP and a strong trade union component led by Oswin Fernando and Kotelawala. The group sponsored a second resolution at the Party Conference of 1974. However, the resolution was narrowly defeated after NM said he would have to resign his Ministry if the resolution was passed.
The alternate group requested permission to form a faction of the Party but this was refused. The 1977 election which saw a spectacular rout of the Left which was left with no representation in Parliament. With the expulsion of Vasu, Vikramabahu and Kumar from the Party in 1977, they formed a new political party in 1977, the Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) taking with them a strong trade union segment of the LSSP. Lal and I remained with the LSSP and our political work diverged although we remained close friends. The NSSP was partly responsible for allowing JR to smash the left trade unions by insisting on calling a general strike in July 1980. Kumar left the University and Sri Lanka in 1980 for personal reasons, first to Zimbabwe and then to Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he taught for 25 years ending as Dean of Engineering. Throughout this period, he was in contact with Sri Lankan politics and regularly visited the country. The NSSP broke up with Vasu and Kumar forming a new party, the Democratic Left Front. He left Vasu’s party when it went into coalition with Mahinda and has since then been an independent Marxist in close contact with the left tendencies within the LSSP and CP. Many are the political discussions we have had during these years which were dominated by the war in the North, the national question, the neo-liberal shift in Sri Lankan politics and the growing repression of democracy.
Kumar David took two important steps which affected recent Sri Lankan politics. The first was the promotion of Ven. Sobitha as a single candidate in the 2015 election. Sobitha himself was not averse to taking up the challenge mentioning that he would serve for six months with the aim of getting rid of the Executive Presidency. However, that was not to be with Sirisena being promoted for that role by Chandrika – a disaster if there was one.
The second was his campaign for the traditional left to work with the JVP and form a new party – the NPP which was formed in 2019. It contested the Presidency that year and the Parliamentary election of 2020. Both Kumar and I were in the National list of the NPP in 2020. The NPP did not do too well in either election. However, things were about to change. Kumar predicted and saw for himself the victory of Anura Kumara in the 2024 Presidential election but will not be there when it hopefully forms a powerful government next month. If the government is able to make a transformative change on behalf of the marginalised and poor, the working class and the rural farmer, it would bear testament to Kumar’s efforts.
Kumar’s absence will be felt by left politics in Sri Lanka. His Marxist analysis of issues at hand while maintaining an internationalist view and a pragmatic approach to Sri Lankan politics which he expounded in his weekly column in the Sunday Island and his regular contributions to Colombo Telegraph and many other websites will no longer be there. Intellectual discourse has lost a rich heritage.
However he was more than a political animal. He was a top scientist researching on the problems facing the electricity industry and also produced the first ever postgraduate degree from the Engineering Faculty at Peradeniya. His research output at Hong Kong has gained him international recognition as a researcher in power systems and transmission of electricity. But he also had the knack of writing on complex matters in simple language and often took time off from his political writings to popularize science through articles on advances on science and technology. I will miss not only his writings but also meeting him in Colombo on his regular extended stays in the island.
chiv / October 15, 2024
Om Shanthi. May the soul rest in peace. I sure will miss him. KD, had his own ways of getting the message to his followers. He was not only informal but witty, cynical, critical, sarcastic , using humor and at times unparliamentary / curse words ……………. all in one.
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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Plato / October 15, 2024
First to exit this planet was Bahu,followed by Chris Rodrigo and now Prof; Kumar David.
All within a couple of months difference this year itself. All brilliant products of the Engineering faculty of Peradeniya. All born in the 1940s. All dabbled in Electrical Power and Political Power.
Prof; Kumar David was educated at S.T.C.Mt.Lavinia and was the son of B.G.S.David onetime Chief Magistrate Colombo.
Readers of these pages would remember his essays on varied subjects ranging from politics to science. His brilliance stood him in good stead even at even well beyond three score and ten.
I consider myself privileged to have known him for a couple of years at Peradeniya.
Good bye Sir.
Sit tibi terra levis.
May the earth rest lightly on you…….
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old codger / October 15, 2024
“Sit tibi terra levis.
May the earth rest lightly on you……”
I second that. We will miss his weekly writings.
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leelagemalli / October 16, 2024
He was CT’s most frequent columnist during these months and years. Sometimes the articles were published one after the other because other writers did not dedicate their pen. His primary intention was to improve the awareness of our readers.
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His writing style covered many aspects we face in our nation. Anyway, I only liked some of his articles, but I can’t forget what he said, it will be not easy for NPP to make a real change, so the destructive JVP will lead it.
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With a heavy heart, I offer my sincere condolences to his family. His loss will be a real loss to us CT readers. There is no doubt about it.
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Sinhala_Man / October 16, 2024
Dear Hacker,
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I have read this comment by “leelagemalli” and I’m making this comment below his, hoping that some readers will make the necessary connection. If this comment of mine is allowed in by the moderators, then I will give “LM’s” comment a Green LIKE.
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It is true that making the necessary changes in Lanka will be very difficult, but they’re trying hard and will probably succeed, but how can you call the JVP destructive?
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Some sharp people like old codger will get the message: no, no! oc is not a man who hacks email addresses, but somebody else does
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Panini Edirisinhe
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leelagemalli / October 16, 2024
Dear Readers,
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Donkeys braying make a “hee-haw or “eeyore” sound that is quite unique and unpleasant!
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I’ve said it once and I have nothing to do with anyone’s email addresses, but it’s a shame that an idiot would brand me as a hacker. I even offered to pay $10,000 if I was proven to be a hacker.
However, this SM is a curse for me, the man continues to hit me. We don’t mind idiots ganging up on idiots of their own kind, but why me?
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I firmly believe that whatever good you do is a shadow for you and whatever evil you do will punish you.
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My prayers are for SM to get well – and soon. Today, his mental confusion is widening.
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I had a lot of respect for KD, but I don’t think anyone in CT or anywhere would leave a single good word about SINHALA_MAN if he dies tomorrow. To me he is an idiot who always tries to stand out by exposing other people’s personal information. When will this man learn something?
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Death is common to all of us, but we should all know it and do our best whenever we do good to others. Blessings to all!
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leelagemalli / October 16, 2024
Dear Friends,
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UX47Y3BpvY
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Udaya Gommanpila challenges AKD and his government’s delay in reports on easter sunday diaster. Vijitha Herath is now caught in the act.
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old codger / October 16, 2024
SM,
You still haven’t explained what you understand by “hacking”.
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leelagemalli / October 16, 2024
OC,
thank you.
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The truth is that he doesn’t grasp even the trivial things that ordinary people can easily grasp. However, he makes every effort to stand out on the CT forum. Not a single comment without hurting me?
I really don’t know what to do with this toxic man. I can also call him a rapist/stalker or a master criminal… is that right? I think people who abuse like this should be banned from CT.
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He was the one who misused our e-mails (Manel’s and mine) to blackmail St. Thomas parishioners. That’s the truth about exchanging emails between us
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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leelagemalli / October 18, 2024
🐕 bite 🐕 🐕 bite 🐕🐕 bite 🐕🐕 bite 🐕🐕 bite 🐕🐕 bite 🐕🐕 bite 🐕
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
“Prof; Kumar David was educated at S.T.C.Mt.Lavinia…”
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That explains…..!!!!
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Sinhala_Man / October 19, 2024
Dear Ruchira,
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I’m neither liking nor DISliking you comment.
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[Edited out]
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Sinhala_Man / October 20, 2024
Kumar appreciated what was good about the school, but he had cultivated no links, had little inside knowledge.
[edited out]
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Sinhala_Man / October 20, 2024
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Ruchira / October 15, 2024
Another one bites the dust! How has he died, does anyone know? I think he became little disillusioned since of late… judging from his writings…
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SJ / October 15, 2024
How stupidly insensitive can one be?
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Ruchira / October 16, 2024
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leelagemalli / October 16, 2024
“How stupidly insensitive can one be?”
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Mentally ill people need to be forgiven for their misbehavior. That is well accepted world wide.
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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Mahila / October 16, 2024
What a splendid “SENSE of JUDGEMENT”!!??
Totally and absolutely without reservation fit to be elevated to superior courts to dispense Justice and Jurisprudence to Sri Lankans!!?? Whatever SENSE it makes to the ‘Senseless’ – the absence of which abnormally, abhorrently felt – ‘seething manner’!!??
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Cicero / October 15, 2024
A good man who was consistent in his politics when those around him sought personal advancement. He will be remembered with affection.
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
Not by those who know better about him.
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MahesanNiranjan / October 15, 2024
Saddened by the passing of Kumar David. Though he did not teach me, he definitely was an inspiration. As a first year (1978) engineering undergraduate at Peradeniya, I went to a seminar given by Kumar David and Pubudu Dayawansa (one of the brightest graduate from that faculty, who sadly passed away at a young age). They were using that IBM computer to do load flow calculations and study power system stability. It was a “wow” moment for me. Lots of differential equations solved on a computer and on a problem that was very relevant in Sri Lanka. Those days, very few in our staff seemed to do any research so such a seminar was a rare thing. Apart from being an academic, Kumar David also cared a lot about the country and wider society — hence his activism and writings, regularly here and elsewhere.
A fine scholar and public intellectual I admired a lot.
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Ruchira / October 16, 2024
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Mahila / October 17, 2024
MN,
Nice to hear after a ‘Long Pause’ from ‘Bridgewater Pub’, without the familiar background ‘Noise’, perhaps, this is a solemn occasion, which is well understandable and appreciated!!??
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MahesanNiranjan / October 17, 2024
Mahila: I salute that admirable habit of separating signal from noise, often a challenging problem.
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SJ / October 15, 2024
Thanks Kumar
Despite strong differences on several national and international issues, Kumar David and I maintained a warm and healthy relationship since 1964.
He was among the first few who got me interested in Marxism but failed, however, to convince me on Trotsky, although he was a very good teacher.
He will be sadly missed.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / October 15, 2024
Words cannot express this shock & sadness. What an amazing person he was and his writings were remarkable. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
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nimal fernando / October 15, 2024
Very sad to learn this. ……. Will surely miss his incisive writing on many subjects.
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Where ever Kumar has ended up …… I’m sure he’ll try to make it a better place.
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RIP
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Ruchira / October 16, 2024
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ramona therese fernando / October 15, 2024
Oh,…this is so sad. His articles were so funny and full of analysis and information. I will miss reading them and chortling to myself. Such a great life with many varied activities. We will all miss him. Rest in Peace Professor Kumar David. 💐
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Ruchira / October 16, 2024
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ramona therese fernando / October 16, 2024
Ah well, Kumar was only a cultural socialist. Play-acted it with gusto. Hopefully he will be a fully fledged one in his rebirth.
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2024
Dear Kumar,
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You had to go; all humans have to go when they have reached a certain age, but I’m glad that it has been after seeing Anura becoming President. You would have been happy going away at this time; I got to know it only when I saw this article just moments ago, but clearly you would have bade us goodbye at least two days ago, for this article to have been written.
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Have I not already said enough? We will know for sure in a few days time, but it would have been fitting had he left whilst he was with his wife, and even grandchildren being around him in Los Angeles. He has written so much about his granddaughter! I have started by addressing him, and now it is the readers whom I have asked in this second paragraph. Kumar would have understood, and excused any lapses. He was never censorious in such matters.
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Yes, it was great to have known you, Kumar! You never said that you would exist anywhere, once this happens, but you do live in our hearts, and in the hearts of millions of much younger Lankans.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Ruchira / October 17, 2024
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Sinhala_Man / October 17, 2024
The way that comments get arranged, it may not be immediately clear that this was the first comment made by me.
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I met Kumar only once (as late as 2008), but I learnt most of what I know of his early life from this article by Rajan Philips, who (without doubt) must be getting another article ready).
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/kumar-david-at-80-engineer-scholar-socialist/
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But how is it that the countless engineers taught by Kumar have not written in, apart from Jit and Sunil Abayeratne?
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Kumar was a wonderful man!
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Sinhala_Man / October 20, 2024
CORRECTION:
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Sorry; it was in 2018 that I met him.
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Panini
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Sinhala_Man / October 17, 2024
For anybody who has not heard Kumar’s voice, here it is:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6rIEhYknOE&t=168s
The Interview with Prof. Kumar David | P1 – 8 minutes 2 Mar 2010
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Part 2 of the same:
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https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Interview+with+Prof.+Kumar+David+%7C+P2
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Almost no comments on the YouTubes, and those are negative. It was the same with Bahu, where I added something:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBXxT5dVf0&t=16s
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I now find that there are more copies of the same, but some with no comments.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOd1rYs-oQ
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Also, many other videos of him. I will listen later; perhaps make some positive comments. We Sinhalese have been so racist, until AKD turned it around with utter sincerity.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmbhjfCU8bY&t=389s
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Once more, the problem of multiple copies. I’ve said this:
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I wonder what MIA thinks about what’s happening in Sri Lanka on the 21st of June 2023? Our problems seem to have metamorphosed in incredible ways. My name is Panini Edirisinhe, and that is what I always call myself as the obvious real name, although on a website specialising on Lankan news has me calling myself “Sinhala_Man”. I’m no racist; on the contrary, I coined that deliberately provocative handle to force people to THINK.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Jit / October 16, 2024
Quite sad to hear this news. I know he was in his ripe years but never had the idea he’d be gone so soon! Many people found this highly intelligent human being quite inspiring with a sheer dedication to the land he was born and raised. His political vision, debates or standing may have not been compatible with all progressive minds but surely he was one of the most gifted intellectual our country has produced. He has left at a very crucial time when we need more and more Kumars to get together to heal this land. I do not believe in god or after life so I wish to express my deepest condolences to his family and the loved ones!
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Agnos / October 16, 2024
My condolences to Prof. Kumar David and his family and friends.
Though I had heard about him in Peradeniya, I learned more through interactions with him on CT comment pages. CT celebrated his 80th birthday with an article by Rajan Philips. His health seems to have deteriorated but he persevered in writing his column through ill health. Though he still showed flashes of his usual sharpness, the quality of his CT column began to deteriorate, sometimes becoming rambling and unfocused. I was not shy about pointing this out initially but I understood his health was in decline. Who is the person with Dr. David in the third picture? Is that the CT editor?
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Jaffna Man / October 16, 2024
Yes, it is Uvindu K in the 3rd picture
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SJ / October 16, 2024
Which third?
If you count all images, there is none in the third.
If you discard all three individual photos, it will be Ho Chi Minh.
(Joking, no offence meant)
I think that you guessed correctly.
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Sinhala_Man / October 17, 2024
Why do you Professors confuse us?
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If you count the photograph of the author (Professor Vijaya Kumar) as the first, there are six pictures.
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So, the sixth, and last is Ho Chi Minh; the fifth is Uvindu and Kumar.
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All are Professors, except Uvindu (and me).
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I know that I have yet to explain to old codger (both name and photograph unavailable) that there was hacking.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Sinhala_Man / October 19, 2024
Dear old codger,
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I was right! Rajan Philips has come up with another article:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/kumar-david-an-accomplished-academic-a-broadminded-marxist/
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For other subjects like egg prices, may I go here?
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/challenges-faced-by-the-new-government/
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Not read carefully yet, but a promising title:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/challenges-faced-by-the-new-government/
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Panini
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Ruchira / October 16, 2024
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soma / October 16, 2024
I am sad. Never missed his write-ups – I have learned a lot from him . I always wished I had his power of expression in English language. I used to mock him for believing that JVP would form a government , that was after a previous election.
Man being an out an out rationalist (like me) I don’t know what to wish for him.
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Soma
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Jack / October 16, 2024
Sad to see professor Kumar David go. Man with principles and wanted his country to be at better place. Lot of respect.
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Mahila / October 16, 2024
May your soul Rest in Peace and the Grass Turf lie softly!
My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences on your loss, to one and all in his family!!??
His contribution to society, community was Immense and immeasurable and all of us would miss his valuable advice and guidance which has always been timely and APT!?
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Sunil Abeyratne / October 16, 2024
Prof. Kumar David was an inspiration to a generation of Electrical Engineers at the Peradeniya University.
He taught us Power Systems and Electrical Machines. During lectures, he manipulated complex matrix operations with great ease, which gave us the impression that it was all very simple, although outside the lecture room, it was not easy to understand what he taught us.
I was on a visit to Salisbury (capital of Zimbabwe) and knew that Kumar was at the University of Zimbabwe. I called him but his wife (Rohini) told me that he was still at the University. My intention was to look him up. Before I could visit him, he turned up at the hotel. We had a drink. During the ensuing conversations he insisted that I address him as Kumar – no more ‘Sir’.
He was well ahead of his time. The left movement made very little progress – just that the voters were way behind.
Kumar’s contribution to the Universities and the society in general is not easily matched.
A life well lived.
Good bye Kumar.
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LankaScot / October 16, 2024
Hello Sunil Abeyratne,
Sri Lanka is losing a generation of Intellectuals that were not only excellent Scientists and Engineers, but also very Literate and Politically active.
I read Kumar David’s Article on Enhancing the Delights of Reading and found myself agreeing with almost everything he said regarding Literature and his advice on the younger generations.
I don’t know what he thought of C P Snow’s Reith Lecture on Two Cultures, but I believe he was equally at home in both.
He will be sadly missed.
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Sunil Abeyratne / October 17, 2024
Hello LankaScot,
Thanks for your comment.
I haven’t read ‘THE REDE LECTURE, 1959’.
I have downloaded it and I will it read in due course.
So, I don’t quite know what Kumar’s thoughts were.
I always enjoyed listening to the discussions (very informative and occasionally volatile) between Dr. David and Dr. Sivasegaram. My own political thinking had not developed at that stage although I attempted to contribute.
My only hope is that such rich traditions still thrive at the Peradeniya University.
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2024
Just saw this, LankaScot.
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I’m sure that I heard that C.P. Snow Reith lecture. Was it as long ago as 1959? My father was still living, I’d have been only eleven.
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Electricity came here, to our hill, only in 1958; my mother bought a Bush radio. Were these lctures available few years later – when I was on the General Overseas Service “Listener Panel”?
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2024
Dash it: “few years” -> “a few years”
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And Sunil, if you know how to find the Kumar David & SJ discussions, please give us the link. It’ll be a real delight to hear them.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Sinhala_Man / October 20, 2024
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Jayel17 / October 16, 2024
May his soul Rest in Peace. He was one of my lectures at Efac in early 70s. I still remember the intellectual thuggery directed at Elec students in 3rd and final years, attacking the self-esteem. The first to go was Dr N B Rambukwella followed by Dr J A Gunawardana, Dr Wicramabahu K and recently Dr JBX Devotta. All Electrical department senior lecturers.
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Ajith / October 16, 2024
Rest in peace!
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Jaffna Man / October 16, 2024
A real loss to all of us. Having studied at Katubedde, I unfortunately missed his lectures parised by all
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Rajash / October 17, 2024
Celebrating his life is the best tribute.
RIP
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Mallaiyuran / October 17, 2024
One of the rare few, wrote in CT to uplift the Media freedom campaign, until their eyes involuntarily closed for ever. Bye-bye Prof. Kumar, but with a heavy heart, though no doubt it is your turn this time. We teased him as “The last Tamil Communist alive”. An honest man towards his policies. Thus, another intelligent soul wasted its life in the way Dr. Wickramabahu did. When his CC idea started to catch fire, I vigorously opposed it. It is those days I wrote the story of the rich mother and the poor, whose kids played in the same field together, But when the dinner time came, the poor mother very deterministically, in spite of the poor kids begging to eat at the rich plates, took them home, Our point was CC election was not Tamils’ election,, but was Sinhala Buddhists Only election. Without allowing the events to take their corrective course, the UNP-SLFP Union’s Kleptocracy Fascism continued. Chandra promoted White Flag Murderer. I kept vigorously opposing Sampanthar Aiyya supporting the CC. I questioned Sumanthiran’s truthfulness in his claim that they had made deals on eighth points with CC. Waited up to the last minute and JVP joined the CC campaign. It was the first time I told Anura to change his policies and use that election to educate the people on politics, instead of playing Kampala Govinda.
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Mallaiyuran / October 17, 2024
Yahapalanaya who won in that election went ahead and carried out Jihadi war to bring the Old Rowdy Royals to power. Once the policy less CC paved the way for the return of Old Rowdy Royals, the Country went bankrupt.
We stood opposed the same way when Prof Kumar supported Sampur coal plant claiming he knew everything about electricity, I opposed it (with Sampanthar Aiyya) saying that was another way of Yahapalanaya UNP-SLFP, digging the grave pit to Tamils and destroying the Tamils peaceful life. When the Indian government agreed to stop the coal burning plant and come out with the idea of a Liquid Natural Gas plant, UNP-SLFP Union denied the permission to install it in the North and took it to South. Later, Evil bragged that the Tamil have not developed North and East, but Sinhalese have developed the West and the South. This simple Sinhala Buddhist UNP-SLFP Union’s plot was too hard for Communist professor to grasp, he said he had predicted not opening the Coal Plant in Sampur would weaken the country’s electricity supply, and it had happened. But nobody reminded him that he never predicted that China would trigger the foreign exchange problem and bankrupt the country. In his next birth he will understand that intelligence is not enough to guide the communities, a foresightedness with sensibility is essential.
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Mallaiyuran / October 17, 2024
Let him rest in peace and ponder about it before he comes back again.
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Good Sense / October 18, 2024
I wish to convey the deepest sympathies to members of his family. Departure is sad especially of known persons. I have never met him face to face but the display of his knowledge on many matters in CT is commendable. For a very long time, he performed an active role in left politics. His students in Engineering tell me that he was a good teacher. I am sure many will miss him and feel the absence for a long time though the nature demands that some point we all must make our move.
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