Renowned philosopher Nalin de Silva no more

2 May 2024 09:12 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 30 Bookmark

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Colombo, May 02 - Professor Nalin de Silva, a prominent figure in the realms of philosophy, academia and diplomacy passed away at the age of 79.

Known for his multifaceted career, de Silva left a lasting impact on Sri Lanka's intellectual landscape.

With a background in academia, de Silva served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

His contributions to education extended beyond the classroom as he also held positions of influence such as a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva ventured into the realm of diplomacy, representing Sri Lanka as Ambassador to Myanmar.

Comments - 30

Rohan Thursday, 02 May 2024 10:47 PM

Did not agree with most of what he said, especially on Science , but the only true Sri Lankan philosopher. Will be sadly missed.

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Indraj Friday, 03 May 2024 07:57 AM

self-contradictory!

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Tamilan Thursday, 02 May 2024 10:57 PM

RIP Sir

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Lk Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:06 PM

One of controversial figures in sri lanka and life is too short for all of us . We should learn a lesson in life that we should hurt feeling of anyone in life even if it is in our debate and academic polemics . Let him rest in peace .

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A Sinhala Buddhist Legend Thursday, 02 May 2024 11:54 PM

Our deepest sympathies. One of the few who fought for Sinhala Buddhists. May you be blessed with the Nirvana in a short journey in Sansara.

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 03 May 2024 12:21 AM

One if the few who spoke the truth without any fear. Brilliant brain . Even at 79 he was very active. May he attain nibbana.

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CA Friday, 03 May 2024 12:27 AM

His fierce style of communications served no good for any positions he represented. Once he realized he was at a loosing side of the debate he resorted to personal attacks and hair splitting arguments showing his substandard upbringing or the lack of academic training.

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Tissa Fernando Friday, 03 May 2024 08:46 PM

What did you mean by SubStandard upbringing? He is from a family with brilliant brains, his family members have excelled in their respective fields. Most of them live abroad only he remained in Sri Lanka . Are you going to say that Abraham Lincon also had a substandard upbringing. But he became one of the greatest ever leaders of the United States. Ok tell us what exactly have you done with your ' High Standard Upbringing ' .

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Balan Friday, 03 May 2024 01:05 AM

This is good for a united Sri Lanka, Anyway RIP

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Dr Saman Friday, 03 May 2024 02:12 AM

He acted as a catalyst for a passage of history in Sri Lanka. I didn't agree with him on most of the things but always had a huge respect for his original thinking

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SCRanjithA Friday, 03 May 2024 02:31 AM

May he attain Nibbana!! My knowledge of him is that another son of Mother Lanka who had 'Sinhalese' as his Identity more than as a Sri Lankan. Another counter-part of Northern Tamil who did not profess Sri Lankan Identity. Both contributed negatively for the sorry stat of affairs we have fallen into 76 years since independent. It is sad that all their academic brilliance in the chosen field, marred the Sri Lankan Identity.

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L Jaya Friday, 03 May 2024 03:38 AM

My understanding was he ruined his academic career going to politics, especially of Rajapaksas.

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db Friday, 03 May 2024 03:58 AM

May he attain nibbana. A person with amzing barin and solid philosophy

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Prof. Kirthi Tennakone Friday, 03 May 2024 04:23 AM

Nalin de Siva was a independent thinkers

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Katukanna Tissa Friday, 03 May 2024 05:26 AM

What a loss for the country ! Great guy, great tutor and an academic, A southern Sinhalese, who had to work hard to climb the social ladder just like many of us,

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Nawagamu J P Deshabandu Friday, 03 May 2024 05:49 AM

He was my good teacher at the university of Colombo even though I had a useless Special degree in Mathematics! May he attain Nirwana!

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Indraj Fonseka Friday, 03 May 2024 06:54 AM

16 "I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief" (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)

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Indraj Fonseka Friday, 03 May 2024 06:57 AM

"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief" (Ecclesiastes 1 1:18).

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Concerned Citizen Friday, 03 May 2024 07:36 AM

The man who rebelled against western culture and advising young Sri Lankan’s against western influence... However his sons are enjoying the western lifestyles, living in US and working for Google I believe ! These are the bloody hypocrites who destroyed this country and supported the likes of Gota !

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Dr Pri Bandara Friday, 03 May 2024 08:43 AM

Prof. Nalin de Silva was a national treasure - may he attain Nibbana at the end of his journey through Samsara. As a senior medical researcher from the Western scientific establishment, I have to unfortunately agree with the late Prof. Nalin d S. that Western science is not the Truth (it is highly manipulated to maintain a certain agenda/narrative and is corrupt) and he is also correct in that Western science is not going to save humanity. In fact, it is quite the contrary - it is being used for the destruction of humanity. I hope more Sri Lankan scientists will realise this by daring to question the dominant narratives and conflicts of interest of the big players in science. This needs to happen soon to avert the catastrophic outcomes we're facing.

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UniDon Friday, 03 May 2024 09:01 AM

Prof. de Silva was probably the only philosopher that modern Sri Lanka had. I do not agree with many of the arguments he made. But developing philosophical theses without relying on Western speculative philosophy and even defying it indicates how brilliant he was. Thank you, sir, for being bold, brave, and provocative.

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Herath HM Friday, 03 May 2024 09:54 AM

What a tragedy, a thinker against west, has to die in an extreme western country! a philosopher on his own thinking. Though I don't agree with his nonsense about "western-sciences", respect him for bringing up his own thinking and insight. May he attain Nibbana

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Victor Doki Friday, 03 May 2024 10:43 AM

RIP. He was a mathematician. Mathematicians may emerge as great philosophers but how much the Nalin's kind of patriotism gradually converted this country to a ruined state? Nalin supported Gota very much and completely talked against the idea of nominating Champika(another mathematician) from SLPP in 2019.

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AJK Friday, 03 May 2024 02:44 PM

Gota was not a failure with what he handled before being president and also in presidency until 2021. SLPP got a record 2/3 majority too at 2020 parliamentary election during that time. Gotabaya failed thereafter, and Prof Nalin De Silva was not an astrologer to know it at 2019. Champika was never in SLPP. You should have asked UNP to field Champika instead of Sajith P in 2019.

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[email protected] Friday, 03 May 2024 12:08 PM

What an irony this man was preaching against West and against western medicine, but he had to finally end up in a western country with western medicine. These are the real 2 head serpents. Thank god this scum is no more

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Victor Doki Friday, 03 May 2024 01:29 PM

Some views also condemn the West as Nalin did but those western systems or therios identified as a philosophy are mainly based on Theology which is always above Greek and other philosophies although some great physical scientists just say that there is nothing called Theology.

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Mahila Friday, 03 May 2024 06:07 PM

RIP. May the Lord, Symbol Graceful and full of Mercy, bestow on you, the sanctity and the triple gem bestow, peaceful transition of SANSARA

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Jayanathan Friday, 03 May 2024 07:30 PM

Ranjit, to foster Sri Lankan identity it is most important to solve the grievances of minorities. Then automatically all will be proud to be a Sri Lankan.You cannot expect loyalty when you are not treated well. This is never understood by our politicians or they conveniently pretend not to understand.

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Seegiri Sumathipala Saturday, 04 May 2024 01:43 AM

HE was an active RED man during his university days (Colombo-Peradeniya-Colombo). Then became a bad politician later by joining Hora/Boru parties lead by Myna and lost his academic career and respect from people! Sir, You may attain Nibbana!

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pathmi soysa Monday, 06 May 2024 12:05 PM

It is with great regret to note that despite the efforts of scholars and intellectuals, Mr. de Silva's philosophy was not fully comprehended. We express our condolences and wish him eternal peace. May his desire to be reborn in this country be fulfilled.

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