A. J. P. Ponrajah

A. J. P. Ponrajah
FICE
Born(1927-02-04)4 February 1927
Died26 January 1986(1986-01-26) (aged 58)
OccupationCivil engineer

Anthony James Princely Ponrajah was a leading Sri Lankan civil engineer and Director of Irrigation in Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Early life

Ponrajah was born on 4 February 1927.[1][3] He was the son of Ponrajah, a proctor from Mannar in northern province of Ceylon. After school he obtained a BSc degree from the University of London.[3]

Ponrajah married Tirzah, daughter of the Chief Postmaster Fry from Jaffna.[3] They had three children - Dr Anthony Naushad, Ranendra and Rupvanthy.[2]

Career

After graduating in 1950 Ponrajah worked briefly as an instructor at the Technical College. He joined the Irrigation Department in 1951 as an Assistant Engineer.[3] He was promoted through the ranks and at the age of 50 became Director of Irrigation.[3] He retired on 4 February 1985.[1]

Ponrajah died on 26 January 1986.[1]

In 1988 the Irrigation Department published a book containing a collection of technical notes written by Ponrajah during his career.[1] In 2011 the Irrigation Department Ex-Officers’ Association launched a scholarship named after Ponrajah.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Madusuthanan, N. (26 November 2011). "A. J. P. Ponrajah Scholarship Award". The Island, Sri Lanka.
  2. ^ a b "Obituaries". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 9 July 2004. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e Arumugam, S. (1997). Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon. p. 144.