Upali Obeyesekere, … with highlights imposed by Michael Roberts, a rugger-colleague from Peradeniya-Uni days
It is with profound sadness we learn that Dr. Sarath Illangantileke had passed away recently. Born in Kurunegala to Dr. Eric & Autley Illangantileke, Sarath had his entire education at Trinity College Kandy. He represented his alma mater with distinction in a star-studded Rugby team in 1963 that included the celebrated stand-off Mohan Sahayam, scrum-half MTM Zarook (another Kurunegala product), Trinity forwards in Sam Canagasabai, Manik de Silva, George Carson, Gavin Rodie, Sarath Illangantileke, supported by Nicko Perera, David Ondaatjie, and H.J. Fernando. Piyasena brothers Gamini and Ananda to wingers Rodney Geddes or Justin Labrooy, and super coach Percy Madugalle.
During his days at Trinity and his home in Kurunegala, Sarath was also the drummer for a Kurunegala band that played the local circuit at Upper & Lower Clubs in his hometown. He had an outgoing personality and balanced his social and academic responsibilities well.
Sarath obtained his BSc in Agriculture (1966-1968) from the University of Peradeniya. He moved to the U.S. and secured his MS and PhD in Agriculture Engineering Technology from Michigan State University (1973-1983).
Sarath was blessed with a dynamic professional career first as Asst. Professor, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. His last position prior to retirement was as Chairman, Tea Research Board of Sri Lanka Tea Research Board of Sri Lanka for close to 10 years.Precious memories of Sarath in the 60s in Kurunegala. We had a great bunch of friends in our circle at the time. To name a few, Ranjan Edirisinghe (Trinity), Janaka Bogollagama (Ananda), Sri Sagadevan (Trinity), Ranjit Abeysekara (Kingswood), Tissa Munasinghe (Trinity), my brother Susantha Obeyesekere and yours truly. Our parental homes were in our hometown but our schoolings were in Kandy or Colombo.
In 1975 or 1976, Sarath, his wife Nimmi, and first-born child (who was a few years old at the time), visited my brother Susantha in Toronto from Lansing while he was at Michigan State University. We had an enjoyable reunion during their visit. I was entrusted with driving the three of them back to Lansing, Michigan. My wife Tammy and I dropped them in the early hours to Lansing, and made a quick return back to Toronto, a happy memory which I still remember with interest.
May your precious soul Rest In Peace, Sarath. Your life on this earth was well lived.
— with Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and
5 others …
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An EMAIL Note From Mohan Sahayam, 2025
“He was a legend and an Icon. May his soul rest in peace”
Mo