Professor P. A. De Silva Obituary, Sri Lanka Death: Distinguished Engineer, Educator and Innovator Remembered

Sri Lanka’s engineering and academic community is mourning the passing of Professor P. A. De Silva, a distinguished engineer, educator, innovator, and pioneer whose contribution to engineering education and technological development left a lasting mark on generations of students.

Professor De Silva dedicated much of his life to education, engineering, research, and the advancement of locally developed technological solutions. His career was closely associated with the University of Moratuwa, where he served as an academic and as the former Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

His passing represents the loss of a respected figure whose influence extended well beyond the university classroom. Through teaching, innovation, and professional leadership, Professor De Silva helped shape the thinking and ambitions of young engineers who would go on to contribute to Sri Lanka and beyond.

Remembering a Pioneer in Engineering Education

Professor De Silva was remembered not simply as an engineer, but as an educator who understood the importance of developing people alongside technology.

For generations of students, a university professor can become much more than someone who delivers lectures. Teachers provide knowledge, challenge students to think differently, encourage curiosity, and help young people discover what they are capable of achieving.

Professor De Silva’s work in mechanical engineering education reflected that broader responsibility. His contribution helped strengthen the academic environment in which future engineers could develop their technical knowledge and practical skills.

His former students and colleagues will undoubtedly remember the lessons they learned from him, both inside and outside the classroom.

A Remarkable Engineering Legacy

Among the achievements associated with Professor De Silva is pioneering work on an electric car developed at the University of Moratuwa during the 1970s.

At a time when electric vehicle technology was far from the mainstream, the development represented an ambitious example of local engineering innovation. It demonstrated the possibilities of combining academic knowledge, practical engineering, and creative thinking to address technological challenges.

The project remains an important part of Sri Lanka’s engineering history and reflects Professor De Silva’s belief in developing solutions locally rather than simply relying on technology produced elsewhere.

His commitment to innovation helped establish an example for future engineers: that meaningful technological progress can begin with ideas developed in classrooms, laboratories, and local institutions.

A Teacher Whose Influence Will Continue

The true measure of an educator’s legacy is often found in the people they teach.

Professor De Silva’s influence will therefore continue through the engineers who studied under him, the colleagues who worked alongside him, and the professionals who were inspired by his approach to engineering and education.

The knowledge he shared cannot simply disappear with his passing. It continues through former students who carry those lessons into their careers and through the institutions and projects that benefited from his contributions.

His life serves as a reminder that education can have an impact that extends across generations.

Funeral Arrangements

Professor De Silva’s remains are being kept at Mahinda Florist in Mount Lavinia, with viewing available from 2:00 p.m. today.

His cremation is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Mount Lavinia General Cemetery.

The funeral will provide family, colleagues, former students, friends, and members of the wider engineering community an opportunity to pay their final respects to a man whose life was dedicated to knowledge, innovation, and service.

A Legacy That Will Endure

The passing of Professor P. A. De Silva leaves a significant void within Sri Lanka’s academic and engineering communities. Yet his contribution will not end with his death.

The engineers he helped educate, the innovations associated with his work, and the ideas he promoted will continue to form part of his legacy.

For his family, however, the loss is deeply personal. Behind the distinguished academic career was a husband, father, relative, friend, teacher, and colleague whose absence will be felt in ways that professional achievements cannot fully express.

During this difficult time, the thoughts of the engineering and academic communities are with his family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our deepest condolences go to Professor De Silva’s family, colleagues, former students, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his work.

May his contributions to engineering education and innovation continue to inspire future generations. May the knowledge he shared live on through those he taught, and may his pioneering spirit remain part of Sri Lanka’s engineering heritage.

A great teacher, engineer, innovator, and visionary has departed, but his legacy will endure.

May his noble soul attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.