A pioneer in Library and Information Science education of Sri Lanka

Prof. Jayasiri Lankage (1936-2024):

Prof Jayasiri Lankage born 10th September 1936 at Kekanadura, Matara, studied the GCE (AL) from Ambalangoda Dharmasoka Vidyalaya in 1957 and entered Vidyodaya University (Presently Sri Jayewardenepura University) and earned a BA general degree in 1962 and BA Honours degree in Archaeology in 1964.  After securing an MA in Archaeology in 1967 from the same university, Prof Lankage obtained his postgraduate qualifications from Banaras Hindu University in 1969 under the Cultural Relations Scholarship Scheme offered by the Government of India in 1967.   After securing his higher education in India, he worked as a Lecturer in Library and Information Science, at Junior University at Dehiwala between 1969-70 and then assumed duties as the first Lecturer on 1st  June  1973 and later Head of Department at the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya (then Vidyalankara Campus) being the pioneer in the Department of study.   During his headship Professor Lankage could designed and developed a BA degree in Library and Information Science in 1973, Postgraduate Diploma in  Library and Information Science in 1974, three tier Diploma in Library and Information Science which is to be completed in three years,  and BA Special degree in  Library and Information Science in 1980.  During that period, the above PG Diploma was immensely supportive for the Librarians who were unable to earn postgraduate qualifications for their promotional purposes from foreign countries owing to the barriers faced by them. The support of early generation veteran library professionals like T.G. Piyadasa, N. Amarasinghe, Dr. Ian Goonetilleke, Mrs. Ishvari Corea, Prof .W.B. Dorakumbura, and Dr. A. Senadhira are to be mentioned here.  Considering all facts, Professor Jayasiri Lankage could be categorised as a change agent, and an outstanding pioneer of Library and Information Science education of Sri Lanka at University level.

The exceptional facts to be mentioned here are that Prof Lankage was fortunate to institute the subject, Library and Information Science  in to the higher education system of Sri Lanka and he was the person who won the challenge of introducing a very new subject of this nature within the series of other established subjects during that period. Between 1986-2002, Prof J. Lankage served as the Librarian, University of Kelaniya introducing different changes to the library and its services.

The other yeomen services of Prof. J. Lankage extend to Library profession, publishing, training, research and library development. His contribution to Sri Lanka Library Association (SLA) holding different posts like the Education Officer is worthy to mention. His advisory services to National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) is commendable. He was the first honorary Treasurer of University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka (ULA).

Several other important contributions to the field of Sri Lankan Cinnamon are the assistance given for the formation of Ceylon Cinnamon Association, the Spice Council, and for getting the Sri Lankan nomenclature for Cinnamon as its botanical name “Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume” by obtaining the ISO 6539:1997). The other two contributions to the Cinnamon industry are the establishment of Cinnamon Academy and obtaining NVQ status for Cinnamon education. The high-level policy makers should pay attention to the concept of multi-purpose Cinnamon Industry devised by Prof Lankage.  Prof J. Lankage’s exemplary and unparalleled  character that he could serve as the Vice-President and General Secretary of OPA being a library academic as well as a library professional.

May this gentleman Prof. Jayasiri Lankage attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

Dr. W.A. Weerasooriya

Senior Professor, Dept. of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya