Bogollagama has homage to Sir Arthur C. Clarke

(March 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the passing away of Sir Arthur C. Clarke today, the eminent scientist, Rohitha Bogollagama Minister of Foreign Affairs on the death of Sir Arthur C. Clarke said in his Condolence Message.

“Sir Arthur had made Sri Lanka his home since 1956 and became the first foreigner to be granted resident guest status in 1975, while remaining a British citizen. He was truly a polymath, in every sense of the word - a versatile and multi-faceted personality of high intellect and erudition. He pioneered the modern Information Communications Technology Revolution, by conceptualizing the advent of the highly futuristic communications satellite technology as far back as 1945. Perhaps, Sir Arthur is better known internationally as a science fiction writer, having authored several books, some of which were based on Sri Lanka. He immortalized the island in world literature in his 1978 best seller, “The Fountains of Paradise”, revolving around the equatorial island of Taprobane, a thinly veiled reference to Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka conferred on Sir Arthur many high honours and accolades, including the highest civilian honour “Lanka Abhimanaya” (Pride of Lanka) in 2005. President J.R. Jayewardene appointed him Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa in 1979, a position he held until 2002. In acknowledgement of his yeoman service to the promotion of science education in the country, the Government in 1984 named the newly established Institute for Modern Technologies in his honour,” the Minister said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in recognition of Sir Arthur’s invaluable contribution and selfless service to the nation accorded state patronage to the celebration of his 90th birthday on 16 December 2007, which was graced by eminent personalities such as the Russian cosmonaut, Alexei Leonov and Dr Michael Zolensky from NASA. On that occasion, President Rajapaksa assured Sir Arthur that his administration would do all within its power to make a reality of one of his three birthday wishes, namely to establish lasting peace in Sri Lanka , the Minister added.

Sir Arthur amply reciprocated his abiding love and sincere affection for his adopted home, in numerous ways, none more compelling than his determination to continue to reside in Sri Lanka. The people of Sri Lanka in particular, as well as millions of fans and admirers all over the world, are poorer for the loss of this distinguished son of Planet Earth.
- Sri Lanka Guardian