Messages of Appreciation
I was very shocked and grieved on sudden and untimely demise of Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive Director of IPS. I have still kept our photos taken either in Kunming of China or Colombo in Sri Lanka. He has been cordially invited and delivered his speech and shared his idea and vision on the venues of China-South Asian Think Tank Forum hosted in Kunming several times. He was not only outstanding economist and researcher, involved in the negotiating the free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and China, but also a kind human being and great leader. Please allow me to convey our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy on behalf of my team to Kelegama family and IPS. The loss for IPS by the passing away of Dr. Kelegama must be immense and hope your institute will go strength and develop sustainably.
Deng Lan
Deputy Director / Associate Professor, Institute of Indian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, China
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Ever since Mia informed me about the terrible news, I am unable to come to terms with the reality. It is impossible to accept that our wonderful friend is gone forever. A true gentleman who could only make friends. Saman was a wonderful human being and this made him stand tall among our friends.
Saman’s passing away is an irreparable loss because the cause of South Asia has lost its strongest patron. He was the only one in our generation whose life’s passion was to make our region one that all South Asians can feel proud of. That is the reason one hated to speak to Saman about the bleak side of the developments in our region, which are becoming bigger by the day. I have no doubts that this bleak side would have torn him apart.
I feel extremely lucky that I was able to spend the last three days of his life with him. Over these days we spoke about the on-going negotiations on the CECA with India. I could feel in him a palpable sense excitement and at the same time, an anxiety about the outcome. But all along, I felt I was speaking to a more measured and restrained Saman. I came back with a feeling that his passion for good relations with India was facing a tough tussle with the realpolitik.
Saman, Mia, Mustafiz and I spoke of so many things about the future of ARTNeT and more over dinner table the day before. Little did we know that the all this would seem totally irrelevant within less than two days.
Saman’s passing away is a bitter reminder that our lives are hanging by the flimsiest of strings. Our dear friend’s string snapped without a moment’s notice and he has left us staring at the infinite.
My deepest condolences to all his family and colleagues. May you all have the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Dr. Biswajit Dhar
Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
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Indeed it is an unbelievable and a shocking news. A great contributor to social science research and a peaceful and harmonious South Asian culture – I am sure he will long be remembered not only for his contributions in the region and beyond but those who knew him will never forget him for the true gentleman that he was. May his soull rest in peace and condolences to his wife, Dushni and all other IPS staff.
Khalida Ghaus
Managing Director, Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC)
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What a devastating news about Saman’s passing away. No one can believe a friend so dear to us left us so suddenly and quietly.
Please convey my deepest condolences to the entire team in IPS.
Would be very grateful if you could kindly hand over the attached condolence note to Madame Kelegama. I believe the funeral is taking place today.
Mahendra P Lama
Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
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The news is devastating and shocking. Please convey condolences to the bereaved family from all of US. Unbearable loss. He was a wonderful person, kind, gentle, a great leader and a brilliant economist.
Ajaya Dixit
President, Institute for Social and Environment Transition (ISET)
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I am shocked and devastated to see terrible news about Dr. Kelegama. My deepest and sincere condolences to whole IPS community.
He was a person of amazing depth, dignity, and wisdom. This loss is irreplaceable for Sri Lanka.
I am on my way to airport and flying out of country. I will not be able to attend funeral. Please, do pass my condolences to his family.
Eteri Kvintradze
Resident Representative, IMF
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I can recall my 16 years plus association with Saman. He was a great friend and a true supporter of peaceful South Asia.
We would dedicate the forthcoming MEAL training series to Saman Kalegama.
I would also urge the colleagues to organize a memorial reference for Saman in TTI regional meeting.
May his soul rest in peace.
Abid Suleri
Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
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I am sorry for the loss not only for his family and IPS, but also for the nation.
Please convey my deepest condolences.
Shinga Kimura
Agricultural Advisor (JICA Expert), Department of National Planning, Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs
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I can’t tell you how sad I was to hear of Dr. Kelegama’s passing. He was a brilliant and warm-hearted individual, with a wonderful sense of humor. What a bitter blow! I will certainly miss him. Please extend my deepest sympathies to everyone at IPS.
Nilan Fernando
Director/Country Team Lead, Sri Lanka, Department of Compact Operations, Millennium Challenge Corporation
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Very sorry to hear this. We have lost a good leader and effective researcher in the SA region. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Suresh Babu
Senior Research Fellow & Head of Capacity Strengthening, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
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It is really a bad news and our deepest sympathies and condolences.
Ravinda Herath
Senior Manager – International Relations, Sanasa Insurance Company Limited
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We all are still in shock to hear this untimely demise of a great leader and the loss is for the entire community. May he attain supreme bliss of nibbana.
Jeevika Weerahewa
Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Peradeniya
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SANEM Newsletter Thinking Aloud dedicated to the memory of Dr. Saman Kelegama PDF
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In Memoriam: Saman Kelegama
Professor Prema-chandra Athukorala (American National University) writes a tribute to Dr. Saman Kelegama in the South Asia Economic Journal.
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Media Articles
Saman Kelegama: Even The Blood Running Through His Veins Is Oriented To Economics
Economy Next 23 June 2017 PDF
Daily Mirror 27 June 2017 PDF
Colombo Telegraph 27 June 2017 PDF
Saman Kelegama (1959-2017): A Thinker Of A Think Tank
Colombo Telegraph 25 June 2017 PDF
Saman Kelegama: A silent, humble human being
The Island 27 June 2017 PDF
End of an exceptional service
Daily News 27 June 2017 PDF
Dr. Saman Kelegama: A stupendous contribution to the state, private sectors
Ceylon Today 27 June 2017 PDF
A Last Conversation: In Remembrance of Saman Kelegama
The Island 28 June 2017 PDF
Sri Lanka Guardian 28 June 2017 PDF
Daily News 29 June 2017 PDF
Learning Meets Humanity
The Island 28 June 2017 PDF
Tribute to Dr. Saman Kelegama
Daily News 28 June 2017 PDF
Tribute to Dr. Saman Kelegama
Daily News 30 June 2017 PDF
Tribute to Dr. Saman Kelegama
The Island 02 July 2017 PDF
Dr. Saman Kelegama: A truly remarkable human being
Column on Dr. Saman Kelegama (by Dr. Sarath Amunugama)
Deshaya (Sinhala language) 08 July 2017 PDF
Dr. Saman Kelegama: Sri Lanka’s Finest Champion of Economic Reforms
Dr. Saman Kelegama: A legacy that lives on in his purpose and his
Sunday Times 16 July 2017 PDF
Remembering Prof. Saman Kelegama
The Island 23 July 2017 PDF
Saman Kelegama: a personal tribute
The Island 11 September 2017 PDF
The legacy of Saman Kelegama
Sri Lanka’s Saman Kelegama; a voice for South Asian integration: Harsha
Economy Next 27 September 2019 PDF
IPS launches new publication in memory of late Saman Kelegama
Daily FT 26 September 2019 PDF