An unassuming gentleman with a passion for agriculture

The late Suran de Silva, was the son of late P.H. William de Silva, the Gentleman Politician and Leader of Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing and Fisheries industry revolution and D. Nanda de Silva. 

Suran was born on 11.07.1952 and hails from a well-known and affluent family in the South. He passed away peacefully after a brief illness on the 22nd November, 2022 in his ancestral home in Kahatapitiya, Batapola, Ambalangoda. 

When he returned to the country, he decided to make agriculture his career; a subject for which he had a great passion

Suran’s father William was the Minister of Industries and Fisheries while serving in the first Cabinet of Ministers during the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike’s Government in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the first to implement a concerted policy to develop industries in Sri Lanka. He worked relentlessly for his party and for the country. 

Hailing from a very wealthy family his family wealth was spent lavishly on politics; unlike today’s corrupt politicians.
Suran was an extremely unassuming, quiet, soft-spoken, timid and a peaceful human who I have met. Though he was reserved he kept in touch with his near and dear friends.

He had his entire education at Royal College, Colombo. He and I were together from our childhood until we completed our Advanced Level Exam. There was a time when we were together for six years in consequent grades. Some of the others who were with him were Priyath, Sudeva, Indrajit and M.S.N. Perera. Athula Ratnayake and MS were few of his close buddies in the hostel. He was a product of Ms Joice Gunesekera’s Montessori.

Suran was very interested in his father’s political career, but did not follow in his footsteps as he was a true gentleman. When Suran’s father was sent as Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Ottawa in Canada, the family joined him. Suran attended high school in Ottawa from 1970 to 1974. When he returned to the country, he decided to make agriculture his career; a subject for which he had a great passion. He pursued his agriculture related studies at Aquinas, Colombo. Suran took over his family properties and was the landed proprietor of his father’s estates in Ambalangoda. He grew and developed tea, coconut, cinnamon and pepper. He enjoyed his quiet estate life compared to Colombo’s busy life. He made an appearance in Colombo occasionally when he wanted to let himself free from the boring estate life and often stayed with me. He then made hay while the sun shone by engaging himself in harmless activities which he never got to do on his estate. He made sure to catch up with his friends and relatives in Colombo.

He remained a bachelor until his death. He was a man who was obsessed with astrology and in his case it is not wrong if one were to say that it is an illusion of control. He would wait for his zodiac signs to see the right time to visit an accomplished bride. Sadly grass grew under his feet without his knowledge. He grew old in age while waiting for perfect astrological signs to get married. Unfortunately that time never came but I believe he had no regrets about his bachelorhood.

He kept in touch with me and another mutual friend Anil Gooneratne. However when we did not hear from him for quite some time- he was living by himself in Ambalangoda- it nudged us to make enquiries. To our utter dismay we were informed by his sister, Dulmini that he had passed away a few weeks ago. We were deeply saddened and shocked to hear of his sudden death. We will surely miss him.

“Dear friends are the ones who know our hearts, our minds and choose us as their friends anyway. Even when they have passed to the next life, I still feel them encouraging me to be my best self.”

Suran leaves his one and only sister Dulmini who looked after and cared for him during his last stages of his life.  Our heartfelt condolences to his family and may he reach nirvana.
Nalin Gunesekera
Member of the ROYAL College 64 Group.