Karu Jayasuriya: An inspiring leader

There are no personal festivities except for religious observances. Instead, the day is devoted entirely to social service activities such as community service, paying tribute to war heroes, and providing facilities to strengthen educational opportunities for future generations.

- By A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

For the past several years, Mr. Jayasuriya has celebrated his birthday by awarding Sinhala language proficiency certificates to about 400 Tamil students in Jaffna, following six months of intensive training. He has always made it a point to travel to Jaffna by train for this purpose, deriving great personal satisfaction from these efforts. Similarly, in the Gampaha area, Sinhala students have been awarded Tamil language proficiency certificates.

The most significant and inspiring aspect of this programme is the student exchange initiative, where Sinhala students from the South travel to the North and stay with Tamil families, while Tamil students from the North visit the South and live with Sinhala families. This cultural exchange has created a genuine sense of brotherhood and mutual understanding, fostering harmony and strengthening national unity by allowing young people to learn and experience each other’s traditions and lifestyles.

From his childhood, Mr. Jayasuriya displayed a deep interest in religion and the Dhamma. His education at Ananda College, together with his association with nationalist figures such as L.H. Mettananda, shaped his religious and cultural orientation from an early age. Between 1965 and 1972, he served as a disciplined volunteer military officer in several army camps. During the 1971 youth unrest, while serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Nuwara Eliya Sinha Regiment Camp, he ensured that no young life was harmed under his command. Through his intervention and support, many young people were instead guided toward rehabilitation and reintegration, a legacy that reflects his enduring commitment to humanity and national reconciliation.