Dr. Magdon Jayasuriya

Felicitation Address presented by Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura at Institue of Biology Annual Sessions, September 2009

It is my great pleasure to have this opportunity of presenting to this distinguished membership of the Institute of Biology, Dr. Magdon Jayasuriya, whom the Institute will be felicitating today in recognition of his invaluable services rendered to the field of biology.

He was already a giant in the field of biology when I entered the field after my postgraduate studies. However, he was always happy to extend a helping hand to younger scientists.

Dr. Jayasuriya graduated from the University of Colombo in 1969 with a Botany Special Degree. He joined the University of Colombo as a Demonstrator soon after graduation and then was recruited as a Graduate Research Assistant and later promoted to Collaborator in the Flora of Ceylon Project by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. From 1977 to 1996 he worked in the Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya as a Systematic Botanist and Curator of the National Herbarium. During this time he obtained a M. Phil Degree in Plant Ecology and Plant Systematics from the University of Peradeniya in 1981 and PhD in Plant Systematics from the City University of New York, USA in 1984.

He became the Director of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of the Department of Agriculture in 1996 until 1998 when he became the Senior Deputy Director of Agriculture inn1998 until he retired in 2004. Since then he continues to provide his contribution to the field of Biology as the Advisor and Senior Consultant in the Environmental and Management Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a private consulting firm engaged heavily in environmental and ecological assessments.

His contribution to the field of biology is immense and exceptional. He conducted research into the flora of Sri Lanka with special reference to systematics, ecology, economic botany, germplasm survey, natural products including medicinal plants and biodiversity conservation. His publication on the flora of Ritigala gave new insights to plant diversity in this unique location. He was the principal researcher on many national and international research projects in the area of biodiversity conservation. Sri Lanka USA Cooperative Germplasm Development, Third Country Training Programme in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management, National Conservation Review Project conducted jointly by the IUCN, Forest Department and Ministry of Forestry and Environment, Preparation of a Portfolio of strategic conservation sites/Protected Area Gap Analysis are some larger projects in which Dr Jayasuriya performed a very significant role.

As the Director of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre and Senior Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture he was instrumental in engaging international cooperation and collaboration in the conservation of plant genetic resources in the country.

He is extending his services towards biodiversity conservation in the country and internationally by serving in relevant committees. He represents the country in many international fora as an expert in biodiversity conservation, plant systematics and plant resources and agro biodiversity. He is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a Member of the International Palm Society. He is a member of the International Steering Committee on In situ conservation of crop wild relatives through enhanced information management and field application effected by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institution from 2000-2004. He was a member in numerous national level committees dealing with biodiversity conservation with special reference to genetic resources conservation. Some of them are Species Survival Commission of IUCN, National Steering Committee on Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. He has many publications to his credit many in peer reviewed journals.

Dr Jayasuriya’s academic carrier portrays a giant academic stature through his simple and friendly personality. On behalf of the Institute of Biology I salute you sir as a true biologist in the country and wish you good health and fortune to continue your work for many more years to come.