Ray Wijewardene’s creativity is ahead of time: Minister Ranawaka
The creativity of Ray Wijewardene is ahead of time and belongs to the future, Technology and Research Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the issuance of a stamp and first day cover in memory of Deshamanya Vidya Jyothi Dr. Philip Revatha (Ray) Wijewardene, the Minister said the late Ray Wijewardene, along with his creativity and the thinking patterns belonged to the future.
The late Ray Wijewardene, along with his creativity and the thinking patterns belonged to the future
The stamp and the first day cover were issued at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre prior to the inauguration of the ‘Sahasak Nimavum 2014’, National Invention Exhibition organised by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission.
It was organised with the objective of providing a platform for inventors to showcase their talents.
If Mr. Wijewardene was born in another country, he would have been given more credit than what he received here, Minister Ranawaka said and added that it was our responsibility to commemorate such a great inventor.
He said Mr. Wijewardene was a pioneer in eco-technology and lived with the environment. “When I met him once, he told me the most important invention was agriculture. He told people to grow food, using their own fertilizer and energy,” he said.
The minister said the most important factor for the growth of a sustainable economy was new inventions and not casinos or other instant economical plans. “I hope exhibitions like Sahasak Nimavum will create many ‘Rays’,” he said.
When I met him once, he told me the most important invention was agriculture. He told people to grow food, using their own fertilizer and energy
The late Wijewardene’s daughter Anoma, his relatives, the Chairman of the Ray Wijewardene Charitable Trust, Prof. Malik Ranasinghe, and Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Deepal Sooriyaarachchi participated in the event.
Ray Wijewardene stands upfront among the inventors produced by Sri Lanka. He had made many innovations including the world’s first two wheel tractor. His vision to generate energy by growing trees on the border lands was another unique contribution known as Dendro power. The issuance of a Stamp and First Day Cover in memory of Dr. Ray Wijewardene.
PIX BY PRADEEP DILRUKSHANA