Tribute to Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera

By Yajith de Silva

It is with profound sadness that we, the Commonwealth Master of Business and Public Administration Alumni Association of The Open University of Sri Lanka, record the passing of Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera. To all of us at the CEMBA Alumni, Prof. Nalin was a tower of strength and a mentor in the truest sense. A Senior Professor in Management Studies and former Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies, OUSL, he was a Chartered Marketer, PhD holder, and an internationally recognized scholar. Under his deanship, the Faculty witnessed remarkable growth — new degree programmes, a 70% increase in student enrollment, and the establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development and Consultancy Unit that bridged academia with national development. Yet, what we will remember most is that simplicity was his approach. Despite his stature, he remained humble, approachable, and deeply committed to his students. He was passionately dedicated to sharing his knowledge with all of us at the Alumni, guiding us with wisdom, warmth, and genuine care. He taught us that true leadership lies in service, not in titles. His passing is a profound loss — not only to us and The Open University of Sri Lanka, but to the nation. Sri Lanka has lost a visionary who connected scholarship with society, and intellect with compassion. On behalf of the CEMBA Alumni Association, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the many students whose lives he touched. Sir, your legacy of knowledge, humility, and service will continue to inspire generations of CEMBA graduates. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

(The author is the President of the Commonwealth Master of Business and Public Administration Alumni Association of the Open University of Sri Lanka.)