Abeyratne Attanayake A Heartfelt Farewell to a Dear Friend and IT Pioneer

• Atta joined the Department of Census & Statistics when it acquired a mainframe computer under a UN project for national census and surveys. His brilliance was quickly recognised, leading to UN scholarships to Maryland and Hawaii to hone his skills in digital computing for census and surveys. He rapidly ascended the ranks, eventually becoming the acting head of IT there

The Soft-spoken, gentleman and pioneer of IT in Sri Lanka, Abeyratne Attanayake

It is with profound sadness, yet with hearts full of cherished memories, that we bid farewell to my dear friend and compatriot, Abeyratne Attanayake, “Atta” to all who knew and loved him. His sudden passing on June 9, 2025, at his residence in Pitakotte, just two days after returning for a visit from his home in New Zealand, has left a void that is difficult to comprehend. For me, it feels like losing one of the last remaining pillars of a shared journey, a close friend with whom I travelled the path of life since our days at Peradeniya.
Atta was a true Kandyan, born and bred amidst the picturesque slopes of Kadugannawa. He began his educational journey at St. Sylvester’s Kandy before excelling in the highly competitive island-wide exam that granted him entry to the prestigious University of Ceylon, Peradeniya campus, in the physical science stream. It was there, among the scenic residential halls, that our parallel paths began to intertwine. After initial stints as a teacher at Kingswood Kandy and a technology instructor, Atta dove headfirst into the nascent field of computers, which began to arrive in Ceylon in the late 1960s.
He truly was a pioneer and a stalwart of IT in Sri Lanka. Atta joined the Department of Census & Statistics when it acquired a mainframe computer under a UN project for national census and surveys. His brilliance was quickly recognised, leading to UN scholarships to Maryland and Hawaii to hone his skills in digital computing for census and surveys. He rapidly ascended the ranks, eventually becoming the acting head of IT there. His career was marked by significant leadership roles, including serving as Head of IT at Sri Lankan Airlines, where he managed another mainframe system crucial for the airline’s operations, especially the maintenance of newly acquired wide-bodied aircraft. He also led IT divisions at the prestigious Ceylon Tobacco Company and Union Assurance, overseeing mid-range systems. Beyond his accomplishments, Atta was instrumental in co-founding the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) alongside a group of like-minded professionals, serving as a Founder Director and Fellow (FCS).
Yet, beyond his formidable professional achievements, it was Atta’s character that truly set him apart. He was a gentleman, soft-spoken, and always greeted you with a smile. A common theme among his staff was his exceptionally understanding demeanour, which empowered them to perform to the best of their abilities. I, along with his many colleagues, cannot recall a single incident where he was angry or aggressive. He was, simply put, an intelligent, professional, and beloved friend.
On a personal note, Atta’s loving family was his anchor. He initially met his dear wife, Sriyani, when she also worked for the Ministry of Planning, the same ministry under which the Department of Census & Statistics operated. In his retirement, Atta and Sriyani migrated to Auckland, New Zealand, to be close to their daughter Chanika and her family. Their son, Sanjay, settled in Melbourne, Australia. It brings a quiet pride to know that both Chanika and Sanjay have followed in their “Appachchi’s” footsteps, becoming accomplished IT professionals themselves.
Atta’s cremation took place peacefully, according to religious rites, at the Beddagana Crematorium in Pitakotte on June 12, 2025, after a viewing at his residence. While our hearts ache with his absence, this is, as he would have wished, a celebration of his remarkable life rather than a moment for endless mourning. The memories of this intelligent, professional, and beloved friend will live on in our hearts. Now, we hope to meet again on the Far Shores.
With eternal affection and deepest respect,
John NLC Fernando
FCS, Founder Director of the CSSL
ICL, WANG, IBM