Emeritus Professor Mahinda Palihawadana Bidding adieu to a flower in human form

It is with deep sorrow and reverence that the Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society bids adieu to one of our most cherished members and advocates, Professor Mahinda Palihawadana, whose physical departure occurred on June 8, 2025. 

As Dr E.W. Adikaram, the founder of Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society, once said, flowers in human form are occasionally born into the world. Such flowers spread their fragrance of humanity until they perish from this earthly realm. 

Emeritus Professor Mahinda Palihawadana, one of Dr. Adikaram’s finest students, was indeed such a flower in human form who emanated the fragrance of immense wisdom and compassion until he breathed his last.

Professor Palihawadana nourished young minds for years during his tenure at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and worked as a visiting professor at Harvard and Colgate Universities. 

Whilst his academic excellence in the fields of Sanskrit, Eastern philosophy, and religious studies, as well as his linguistic repertoire which encompassed Sanskrit, Sinhala, English, and Pali, remain widely acknowledged, this tribute focuses on the light he imparted to individuals across continents and generations as president and patron of the Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society.

Professor Palihawadana was a living embodiment of the vision and mission of our society, representing years of promoting vegetarianism. Through numerous public talks and publications, he approached vegetarian advocacy with the same depth and scholarly rigor he brought to his academic research.

“I abhor the sight of living beings being killed, whatever the reason,” he once stated in an interview, demonstrating that vegetarianism is not merely a dietary choice but a philosophical stance that emerges from deep respect for life itself. 

His contributions to our society’s publications and discussions were marked by wisdom combined with accessibility and genuine warmth. 

On a personal note, as one of the youngest members of the society when he was among the eldest, working alongside him, even when he was over seventy, felt like associating with an eternal youth of most agreeable disposition. 

His presence thus transcended generational boundaries, inspiring individuals he met through his unwavering commitment to compassionate living.

Professor Mahinda Palihawadana’s departure leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his wisdom continues to illuminate our path. As we bid farewell to this flower in human form, the Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society commits to carrying forward his legacy of advocacy towards vegetarianism. 

May his legacy inspire countless others to walk the path of compassion he so graciously traversed! 

Sadarshie Kusumwarsha Ranasinghe Co-Secretary, Sri Lanka Vegetarian Society Lecturer, Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka