10/05/2026
𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘕𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘢
𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
The passing of Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera marks a profound loss to Sri Lanka’s academic and professional community. Prof. Abeysekera’s academic journey was distinguished by consistent excellence. Educated at Ananda College and later at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, he demonstrated exceptional commitment from his early years. His academic achievements were remarkable, including the completion of a Master of Business Administration with three gold medals and a doctorate from the University of Colombo.
He was a fellow member of Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM), member of Canadian Institute of Marketing and consultant with over twenty-five years of experience. These accomplishments reflect not only intellectual ability but also sustain discipline and dedication to scholarship.
At the Open University of Sri Lanka, he served with distinction in several leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Head of the Department of Marketing Management. His tenure was marked by both academic leadership and institutional development. Notably, he became the first Conference Chair of the International Conference on Management and Entrepreneurship (ICOME) organized by the Faculty of Management Studies, Open University of Sri Lanka, creating an important platform for research dissemination and scholarly engagement.
Prof. Abeysekera was equally committed to fostering a strong research culture. He encouraged publications, conference participation, and academic collaboration, enhancing the visibility of the faculty both locally and internationally.
Initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship Development and Consultancy Unit (EDCU) reflect his commitment to bridging theory and practice, supporting industry engagement and national development.
His contribution to the Faculty of Management Studies was transformative. He played a central role in curriculum modernization, ensuring that academic programs remained aligned with evolving industry demands. By integrating areas such as entrepreneurship, strategic thinking, and research methodology into teaching, he strengthened the relevance of management education. His efforts also extended to postgraduate education, where he contributed significantly to the development of MBA and MSc programs, as well as doctoral supervision, thereby enhancing advanced academic capacity in Sri Lanka.
He frequently emphasised the importance of free education in Sri Lanka, viewing it as a foundation for social equity and national progress. In many of his newspaper articles, he consistently acknowledged the contributions of C. W. W. Kannangara, who is widely regarded as the father of free education in the country.A key aspect of his work was his dedication to student development within the Open and Distance Learning framework. Recognising the challenges faced by students in this system, he worked to ensure accessibility, flexibility, and quality in education delivery. His efforts contributed to widening participation in higher education, supporting the broader national objective of inclusive learning.
Prof. Abeysekera played a significant role in localizing marketing knowledge in Sri Lanka, most notably through his Sinhala-language publication “Marketing Sinhalen”. His efforts to produce marketing-related content in Sinhala substantially broadened access to management education, enabling students, practitioners, and wider audiences to engage with complex marketing concepts in their native language. This reflects his enduring commitment to knowledge democratisation and inclusive education, ensuring that academic ideas are not confined to a narrow linguistic or elite boundary.
He also promoted scholarly and public discussion on the importance of Anthropological Marketing, often referred to as “Anthro Marketing”. Through newspaper articles, academic discussions, and public forums, he highlighted the need to understand consumers not only as economic actors but also as social and cultural beings shaped by values, traditions, and lived experiences. In this perspective, marketing becomes a culturally grounded discipline that requires deep insight into human behaviour within specific social contexts.
He also contributed significantly to discussions on the Creative Economy, emphasizing the role of creativity, culture, innovation, and knowledge-based industries in national development. He advocated for recognizing creative industries not merely as artistic ventures, but as important economic drivers that generate employment, social value, and sustainable growth. Through his engagements, he encouraged greater attention to the intersection between culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, and marketing in shaping modern economies.
By introducing and advocating for this approach, he encouraged both students and practitioners to move beyond purely transactional thinking and to embrace a more holistic understanding of markets. His contribution in this area helped establish meaningful dialogue on the intersection of culture, society, and marketing practice in Sri Lanka, further strengthening his legacy as a scholar who consistently connected theory with real-world relevance.
His engagement with professional bodies further demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field of marketing. His involvement in developing National Competency Standards under the NVQ framework helped align marketing education with industry requirements. Such contributions are vital in ensuring that education systems produce graduates equipped with relevant skills for the modern economy.
Despite numerous achievements and recognitions, including international awards, his true impact is best reflected in the lives he influenced. Students and colleagues remember him as a humble, approachable, and deeply supportive mentor. His guidance often extended beyond academic matters, shaping both professional paths and personal values.
The legacy of Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera is, therefore, not confined to academic titles or institutional roles. It is reflected in the systems he strengthened, the knowledge he advanced, and the individuals he inspired. His life’s work serves as a reminder that true academic contribution lies in the integration of scholarship, practice, and service to society.
Prof. Abeysekera remains in our memory as a respected academic, a fatherly and brotherly figure, and above all a compassionate human being with a deeply empathetic heart whose kindness and humanity continue to inspire all who knew him.As the academic community reflects on his contributions, there remains a collective responsibility to continue the vision he championed one grounded in research excellence, ethical practice, innovation, and meaningful societal impact.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
A life dedicated to knowledge and humanity - Sunday Observer
The passing of Senior Professor Nalin Abeysekera marks a profound loss to Sri Lanka’s academic and professional community. Prof. Abeysekera’s academic journey was distinguished by consistent excellence. Educated at Ananda…
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