I feel greatly honoured and humbled to speak a few words  about  my “late guru in many ways” with a view to briefly describe him on his qualities, his achievements and exemplary life which he was, as a honest patriotic citizen of mother Lanka. Such memories remained so solidly for the last 45 years and if he was alive he would have reached an age of 102 years of continued solid service for the professions he upheld and to the society in many ways.   

Mr. de Silva, claims to have seen the light of this world in a railway bungalow on the South Western Coast of Sri Lanka, where his father was serving the Railway at that time. Therefore, he used to say he was attached to the railways from his very birth!

His specialization during his life time was ”on the job training” not only on engineering and transport, but he manifested its importance in life by a unique achievement by producing and  training in life of his  son to resemble him and to indicate how his achievements and goals are almost identical both in professional life as a Civil Engineer and as a Transportant. 

His instructions to subordinates were cut and dry, that they knew for certain that he will always stand by them as long as the instructions were adhered to. There are many even now, who speak about the technical knowledge that he possessed and the authority wielded in providing a safe and a reliable train service

In achieving such he upheld the prestigious posts of being the President of the Institution of Engineers 1982/2003, Sri Lanka, Chairman,of the Sri Lanka Branch of the Chartered Institute of Transport in 1985/2000 and in his public service as the General Manager  of Railways in 1974/2001. In doing so his perfection in documentation, promptness in action, punctuality in attendance and as a disciplinarian are very evident and is proof of transfer of knowledge and values within the family as well.  This in my opinion is an unprecedented and unbeatable record a father who has transferred his knowledge, values, skills and attitudes to his son, as was done in the good old days in early Ceylon in the family trades, skills and occupations.

On retirement, he continued in the academic sphere by strengthening the “on the job training” aspects, and strengthening interaction between training establishments and the industry. These were done at the University of Moratuwa, Tertiary & Vocational Education Commission and in assisting in the setting up of new apprenticeship training programmes and institutes. Being associated with him in all these aspects imparted to me as well ”on the job training”, together with qualities of leadership, honesty, discipline perfection and above all spiritual devotion.
Major portion of his career was in transportation of which he worked in the Railways from 1947 for over 28 years, before he retired in1975, as the General Manager Technical. 

Out of the many projects that he undertook as a Civil Engineer is the restoration of the Northern Rail tracks after the massive floods in 1957, modifications to the rail tracks, and introduction of high speed crossovers in the suburban network to accommodate the colour light signaling that was introduced in 1964

During his tenure in the Railways he was known to be one of the most capable Civil Engineers, and a live wire of the Way & Works sub dept, where he rose to become the Chief Engineer in 1974.

Out of the many projects that he undertook as a Civil Engineer is the restoration of the Northern Rail tracks after the massive floods in 1957, modifications to the rail tracks, and introduction of high speed crossovers in the suburban network to accommodate the colour light signaling that was introduced in 1964. He was instrumental in introducing concrete sleepers to our Railways and also upliftment of major railway stations.  He was appointed to various committees that looked into economy of the department as well as cutting down of wastage and unwanted expenditure in transport. His instructions to subordinates were cut and dry, that they knew for certain that he will always stand by them as long as the instructions were adhered to. There are many even now, who speak about the technical knowledge that he possessed and the authority wielded in providing a safe and a reliable train service. 
After his retirement from the Railways he was involved with technical educational activities which he considered as utmost importance if the country is to leap forward in economic development.

 In this connection in the transfer of knowledge in the past where Mr. de Silva excelled, and then indicate what is happening during his time and the hope for the future through the implementation of a proper Transport Policy for which transfer of knowledge at all levels was essential. 

Due to deep interest in the Transport sector, Mr. de Silva was from 1975 the Honorary Corresponding Member in Sri Lanka for the Chartered Institute of Transport, UK. His transfer of knowledge at the professional level commenced at this time with many of the students sitting transport examinations had to apply for their examinations through him. With his very good memory he kept track of the students sitting these examinations and encouraged them to follow necessary classes in concurrence with the UK authorities. In 1985, when the Sri Lanka section was formed he was elected the founder Chairman of the Institute and he initiated the various procedures for our local section to function independently and have its own activities and also by professionalizing the knowledge transfer in the transport sector.

Therefore, he was the founder and forerunner of the Chartered institute of  Logistics and Transport, members of which are virtually meeting today to recognize the  pioneering efforts of the Transportants  and encourage the future Transportants of this country to develop the industry more effectively for the country and the General Public.
Transportants and Engineers of the caliber and stature of Mr. L.S. de Silva add luster to the transport and the engineering professions, towards professionalism and knowledge transfer. All this would have been possible due to the patience and co-operation extended to him by his late loyal wife and other members of his family. His eldest son Priyal has been following in his footsteps very closely and it would have undoubtedly been an encouragement to him. 

May the example of his excellent personal qualities together with his determined contribution and expectations of hard work, meticulous and impartial judgments and assessments, valuable contribution to the Railways and the Transport profession, in particular the Sri Lanka section of the Chartered Institute of Transport. 

His pioneering work on knowledge transfer to the transport sector and to other professions such as in-plant training of undergraduates and diploma students, formal development plans and strategies of Tertiary and Vocational Education, institution building, contributions to professionalism would be an impetus to all his friends, relatives, colleagues and students who have always during his life time valued his advice and guidance, may it be on religious, professional, academic, administrative, social or any other matter. 

May he continue to find rest from his hard toils from the many worthy causes he served which bears witness to his exemplary service and devotion to Professions and the Society. 

(This was presented virtually on his 102nd Birth Anniversary to the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Sri Lanka Branch)  on October 21,2021 )