Pioneering Computer Science Education in Sri Lanka — The Ruhuna Story, 1986

 A Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Computing History

01 August – 30 September 1986, University of Ruhuna

In 1986, the University of Ruhuna hosted the First Working Party to develop course materials for Computer Science subjects — an ambitious initiative to strengthen computing education across Sri Lankan universities.

At the request of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the first two books in the series were written and published under the Ruhunu–Keele Link Programme, funded by the British Government:

• Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Lecturer’s Notes

• Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Student Notes

These pioneering textbooks laid the foundation for structured computer science education in Sri Lanka.

The project was coordinated by the late Prof K Tillekeratne (University of Kelaniya) and Dr R. Zambardino (North Staffordshire Polytechnic, UK), with contributions from:

• S Turrance Nandasara – University of Colombo

• Miss M C Balthazar – University of Kelaniya

• Miss S P S P Wickremasuriya – University of Kelaniya

• Mr. R.K.S. Perera – Open University of Sri Lanka

• Mr M P A Wijesiri – University of Ruhuna

30 September 1986 — a moment of recognition. Prof Stanley Kalpage, Chairman of the UGC and Secretary, Ministry of Education, presents the Appreciation Letter to me, acknowledging the pioneering work that helped introduce structured computer science education to Sri Lankan universities.

At the University Grants Commission, 1986.
A gathering of the pioneers who shaped Sri Lanka’s first computer science course materials: Late Prof K Tillekeratne, Dr R Zambardino, Prof Stanley Kalpage, Miss M C Balthazar, Turrance Nandasara, Miss S P S P Wickremasuriya, Mr R K S Perera, and Mr M P A Wijesiri.

The first milestone — Lecturer’s Notes.
Cover of Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Lecturer’s Notes (1986), the first structured computer science teaching material for Sri Lankan universities.

The companion volume — Student Notes.
Cover of Software Design and Implementation – A Pascal-Based Course: Student Notes (1986). Together with the Lecturer’s Notes, this book empowered a new generation of students to step into the world of computer science.

The newly built University of Ruhuna building, 1986.
In the picture: Turrance Nandasara (University of Colombo), R K S Perera (Open University of Sri Lanka), and M P A Wijesiri (University of Ruhuna).

“What began in 1986 as a collaborative effort to write the first computer science textbooks for Sri Lankan universities has grown into a lifelong journey of building knowledge, preserving history, and inspiring future generations.”

Photographs captured by Turrance Nandasara (1986), Camera: Olympus OM-10 Camera

From Research Officer to Legacy Builder: A Memoir of Data, Duty and Decision

 When the country needed teachers and the world offered science and technology, I chose a third way: to remain, build capacity, and use both to serve Sri Lanka.

Collaborating with Prof V. K. Samaranayake—translating vision into institutional change.

Beginnings: WHO Project, FORTRAN IV and the Department of Pharmacology

In January 1980, I joined the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Colombo as a Research Assistant on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) “Choice of Medicine in Sri Lanka” project. For thirteen months, I designed questionnaires, supervised field data collection, tabulated survey results, wrote FORTRAN IV routines for analysis, and prepared reports submitted to the WHO through the department. Those days taught me how empirical work could shape policy and health practice.

---

“We weren’t just coding—we were shaping how data could serve the nation.”

---

Training and the National Need Diplomas, mainframes and rural schools

The opportunity that placed me at the Medical Faculty of the University of Sri Lanka, Colombo Campus, grew from Sri Lanka’s 1972 educational reforms. From 230 students in the Development Studies Degree Programme, twenty were selected for the Statistical Services stream under Dr Roger Stern and Prof V. K. Samaranayake, whose goodwill and commitment to the development of statistics in the country were decisive. The offer came through the Faculty of Natural Science of the University of Sri Lanka, Colombo Campus—an academic hub that brought together mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology under one roof, and which was increasingly tasked with producing graduates who could meet the nation’s urgent needs in science, statistics, and technology. Its purpose was both practical and urgent: to train statistical investigators for the government and private sectors.

At the same time, the country faced a shortage of graduate mathematics teachers, especially in rural schools. To address this, the government offered a full-time Mathematics Postgraduate Diploma to Statistical Services trainees and introduced further postgraduate training in Applied Mathematics at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura to strengthen degree-level teacher qualifications. I balanced research with intensive study—50 weeks of full-time lectures and practicals, eight to four, five days a week—funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Youth Service Council (NYSC).

---

“From hospital prescriptions to FORTRAN code—where medicine and computing first converged in my career.”

---

During those months, I worked on the “Choice of Medicine in Sri Lanka” project, which offered me invaluable hands‑on computing experience at the Department of Census and Statistics. I worked on IBM System/30, Model 25 minicomputers, analysing prescription data from the General Hospital. Under the guidance of Prof Lionel, I reorganised the datasets to make them more suitable for statistical analysis and wrote FORTRAN IV code to translate real‑world medical queries into meaningful results.

---

"He said, 'Stay in Colombo.' I stayed.”

---

Crossroads of Legacy: Three Offers, One Voice

By mid-1981, new projects pulled me in different directions. Following Prof Lionel’s dismissal, Miss Savithri Abesekera invited me to join a National Science Council project on climatic and crop data under Prof Samaranayake. I later worked on a study of Predictors of University Performance. By December 1982, we had moved to Data General NOVA/4 and ECLIPSE S/140 systems, expanding our analytical capacity.

Then the choices multiplied. I received three competing offers: a teaching post in the remote Monaragala District—an obligation tied to my postgraduate diploma; a System Engineer position from Data General Corporation in the USA, impressed by my problem-solving work on the Eclipse S/140 minicomputer; and a Development Officer role with RED BANA, an NGO engaged in rural advancement, recognising my knowledge of the Special Degree Programme. I turned to Prof Samaranayake for guidance. His counsel was simple and decisive: “Stay in Colombo.” I stayed.

My decision triggered a dispute with the National Youth Service Council, which argued I had a contractual obligation to accept a school appointment. NYSC filed a case at the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court, accusing me of misusing public funds and failing to fulfil the service requirement. One day before the hearing, after Prof Samaranayake spoke with Mr Charitha Ratwatte, Chairman of NYSC, the case was withdrawn, and I was permitted to remain at the University of Colombo.

---

“Three paths, one decision: Teaching, Overseas, National Service”

---

Turning Point Commonwealth scholarship and beyond

In June 1983, I was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study Statistics and Computer Science in the UK. That scholarship validated the path I had chosen and opened new opportunities for contributing to Sri Lanka’s emerging fields of Computer Science and IT.

Echoes of the Forest - Breath of Siberia — A single note awakens centuries.

Echoes of the Forest — A Khanty musician plays the jaw harp, weaving ancient rhythms into the air with a single breath and a flick of metal. Her sound, both haunting and hypnotic, bridges tradition and technology in the heart of Siberia. In that moment, she became a conduit for whispers of ancestry—summoning echoes older than language, and reminding us that sound can carry memory across centuries, connecting forest spirits to digital futures.

Siberian Dialogues: A UNESCO Journey Through Language, Technology, and Cultural Legacy

 Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation | 2–10 June 2018

Arrival in Khanty-Mansiysk, Western Siberia, Russian Federation — Hotel “Музей Природы и Человека” (Museum of Nature and Man) under Siberian skies, Photo by Turrance Nandasara

Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program. Unity in diversity — Participants from East Japan to Argentina gathered in Khanty-Mansiysk for UNESCO’s IFAP conference.

2 June From Colombo to the Blue Horizon

In June 2018, I travelled from Sri Lanka to the heart of Western Siberia to attend two globally significant, transformative international conferences. These conferences, hosted in Khanty-Mansiysk and organised by UNESCO and global partners, these events explored the intersection of digital inclusion, multilingualism, and cultural preservation. The route itself was a story—Colombo to Moscow, then onward to this quiet yet intellectually vibrant city nestled in the heart of Russia’s vast landscape. This post reflects on the journey, the people, and the enduring legacy of Evgeny Kuzmin, whose vision continues to inspire.

The journey itself was long and layered: I flew from Colombo to Moscow, and then onward to Khanty-Mansiysk. Each leg of the trip unfolded like a chapter—bridging cultures, climates, and languages.

Khanty-Mansiysk: Where Rivers Remember

Set along the confluence of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers, Khanty-Mansiysk is both a modern administrative centre and a sacred landscape shaped by the ancestral rhythms of the Khanty and Mansi peoples. These indigenous communities have lived in harmony with the forest and tundra for generations, preserving oral traditions, animistic beliefs, and musical expressions like the jaw harp. Today, the city stands as a living dialogue—where glass towers rise beside sacred groves, and international delegates walk paths once traced by reindeer and storytellers.

Arrival and assignment — Delegates prepare for departure with clearly marked roles: “UNESCO,” “Interpreter,” and “No Interpreter.” A moment of logistical clarity before the multilingual conversations begin.

Architectural metaphor — The green-roofed Museum of Nature and Man, my accommodation in Khanty-Mansiysk, offered quiet elegance and symbolic resonance. Its crystalline structure mirrored the themes of clarity, nature, and humanity that defined the week.

3 June City walk, local architecture or nature

My accommodation was the Hotel “Музей Природы и Человека” (Museum of Nature and Man), a poetic structure bathed in crystal-clear blue, mirroring the vast Siberian sky. More than a hotel, it felt like a metaphor for the conference itself—clarity, nature, and humanity woven into its quiet elegance. It offered a moment of stillness before the week’s intellectual and cultural symphony began.

---

“A personal reflection on attending two international conferences in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, in June 2018—exploring digital inclusion, multilingualism, and cultural preservation through the lens of UNESCO’s IFAP.”

---

Arrival in Khanty-Mansiysk —

National Park and a huge mammoth monument. Photo by Turrance Nandasara

“Exploring the quiet charm of Khanty-Mansiysk before the conference begins -

National Park and a huge mammoth monument"

Science and society — Delegates gather beneath a kinetic sculpture labelled “ROYAL,” blending art, motion, and curiosity. The modern atrium set the tone for interdisciplinary dialogue and cultural exchange.

4 June: The 10th International IT Forum

Held under the auspices of BRICS and SCO nations, the 10th IT Forum convened over 1,500 participants from 55 countries. The sessions explored digital transformation, smart cities, and e-governance. I attended as a delegate from Sri Lanka, contributing to discussions on digital inclusion and strategic collaboration.

Multilingualism in cyberspace — Opening session of the IT Forum with BRICS and SCO participation. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program

---

“Digitalisation is not just a tool—it is a bridge between nations, cultures, and futures.”

---

10th International IT Forum — Delegates from BRICS and SCO nations gather

Evening reflections — A soulful performance during the cultural program, blending music and memory.

Portrait of pride — A delegate in ceremonial attire representing Siberian cultural identity. Rhythms of the forest — Indigenous performance during a cultural visit to the National Park, blending ceremony and nature. Video: Breath of Siberia — A single note awakens centuries.

Echoes of the Forest — A Khanty musician plays the jaw harp, weaving ancient rhythms into the air with a single breath and a flick of metal. Her sound, both haunting and hypnotic, bridges tradition and technology in the heart of Siberia. In that moment, she became a conduit for whispers of ancestry—summoning echoes older than language, and reminding us that sound can carry memory across centuries, connecting forest spirits to digital futures.

5–8 June: UNESCO’s “Language for All”

The second event, the International Conference on the Tangible and Intangible Impact of Information and Communication in the Digital Age, was organised by UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP). The theme—Language for All—resonated deeply with my own mission of educational reform and multilingual empowerment.

Key sessions addressed:

• Multilingualism in cyberspace

• Digital memory institutions

• Ethics and equity in the digital age

• Creative industries and personal self-realisation

The conference was chaired by Evgeny Kuzmin, a visionary leader whose work in IFAP shaped global discourse on information access. Delegates hailed from over 60 countries, spanning from East Japan to Argentina and Ecuador, as well as Norway, Sri Lanka, and across Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Opening of UNESCO’s ‘Language for All’ — A global dialogue begins. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program

Cultural demonstration at the Museum of Nature and Man — Indigenous crafts and traditions on display, Khanty-Mansiysk, June 2018.

Unity in diversity — Participants from East Japan to Argentina gathered in Khanty-Mansiysk for UNESCO’s IFAP conference. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program.

Cultural Encounters: National Park

Among the many cultural visits, Natura Park stood out. Surrounded by pristine nature and thoughtful design, it offered a moment of reflection and camaraderie. I joined fellow participants for a group photograph, capturing the spirit of unity and shared purpose.

---

“In the silence of Siberian pines, we found a common language—hope.”

---

A gathering of minds — Delegates from over 60 countries convene for UNESCO’s ‘Language for All’ conference. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program

---

“Multilingualism in action — Voices from 60 countries share insights”

---

Closing Reflection: A Chapter Etched in Blue and Memory

As I reflect on my time in Khanty-Mansiysk, I see more than a conference—I see a convergence of purpose. The blue-hued hotel, the forest rhythms of National Park, and the multilingual symphony of voices from every continent formed a mosaic of shared humanity. In those moments, the boundaries between nations blurred, and what remained was a collective commitment to inclusion, preservation, and progress.

Evgeny Kuzmin’s presence—now a memory—was a guiding light in that mosaic. His belief in the power of language and access continues to echo through my own work in Sri Lanka and beyond. This chapter is not just a record of events; it is a tribute to the enduring spirit of collaboration and a reminder that legacy is built not only through institutions but through the lives we touch and the stories we preserve.

NANDASARA Turrance, University of Colombo School of Computing, Sri Lanka, with KLAZAR Erin, Head of Research and Analysis, OUTA; Consultant, African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics (Pretoria, South Africa). Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program.

---

“Legacy is built not only through institutions, but through the lives we touch and the stories we preserve.”

---

In Memory of Evgeny Kuzmin

Evgeny Kuzmin (1955–2023) was a towering figure in the global movement for equitable access to information. As Vice-Chairperson of UNESCO’s IFAP and Chairman of its Working Group for Multilingualism in Cyberspace, he championed the rights of all peoples to preserve and share their cultural and linguistic heritage in the digital age.

His leadership shaped the very spirit of the 2018 conference. His belief in the power of language and access continues to echo through my own work in Sri Lanka and beyond. Photograph by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program.

---

“His voice carried the weight of wisdom and the warmth of inclusion. His legacy lives on in every effort to make knowledge accessible to all.”

---

 Media Description & Credits

This blog post features a curated selection of photographs taken during my participation in two international conferences held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation, from 2–10 June 2018. The images document key moments from the 10th International IT Forum and UNESCO’s “Language for All” conference, as well as cultural visits, museum exhibits, and personal reflections.

Image Themes & Contexts

• Conference Documentation

  Formal sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions from the IT Forum and UNESCO conference, highlighting global participation and multilingual dialogue.

• Cultural Heritage & Indigenous Expression
  Traditional Siberian attire, museum displays, and ceremonial performances showcase the region’s rich cultural legacy and the importance of preserving intangible heritage.

• Group & Delegate Moments
  Group photographs with participants from over 60 countries, capturing the spirit of international collaboration and shared purpose.

• Musical & Artistic Performances
  Evening concerts and live performances added emotional resonance to the intellectual exchanges, reflecting the fusion of tradition and modernity.

• Personal Reflections
  Scenes from the National Park and the Museum of Nature and Man, offering quiet moments of connection with nature, history, and fellow delegates.

Photographer Credits & Permissions

All photographs included in this post were taken by me or fellow participants and the "Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Program" during official conference sessions and cultural programs.

---

 “A Sri Lankan delegate’s reflections on UNESCO’s 2018 conference in Siberia—exploring digital inclusion, cultural heritage, and the legacy of Evgeny Kuzmin.”

---

Author Bio

Turrance Nandasara is a lifelong educator, memoirist, and institutional steward dedicated to documenting Sri Lanka’s computing and educational history. His work blends narrative clarity with visual storytelling to preserve legacies for future generations.

How Tanenbaum’s Textbook and PDP-11 Labs Sparked a Trilingual Computing Breakthrough

Enjoying 'C' programming on a vintage PDP-11 terminal in the University of Essex lab, 1984 (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

A Journey Through Computer Science

Structured Computer Organisation by Andrew S. Tanenbaum was my first formal textbook in computer science. Both the second (1984) and third (1989) editions offered a rich exploration of operating systems and computer architectures, making them indispensable resources for students in the early 1980s.

The second edition, published in 1984, introduced me to the hierarchical structure of popular microprocessors such as the IBM 370, PDP-11, and MC68000. It also covered the UNIX and CP/M operating systems and included ready-to-run 'C' and PASCAL programs—bridging theory with hands-on practice.

“I still remember the hum of the PDP-11 lab, the thrill of compiling my 'C' programs, and the quiet power of Tanenbaum’s words.”

During my time at the University of Essex in 1984, I worked extensively with the PDP-11 and CP/M operating system while studying Pascal, PROLOG and C programming. These experiences laid the groundwork for my deeper understanding of system-level computing.

University of Essex, Colchester, UK. 1984

Taken in 1984 at the University of Essex, this image shows me standing before the Administration Block, framed by the student dormitories that formed the backdrop of my early academic life. (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

Structured Computer Organisation: The textbook that launched a legacy.

“Tanenbaum’s clarity and structure made the invisible layers of computing feel tangible and navigable.” (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

The third edition, released in 1989, expanded the scope of operating system concepts. It introduced advanced topics, including virtual memory, multitasking, and the fundamentals of distributed systems. UNIX was presented as a case study, offering practical insights into OS design.

This edition also featured updated examples from Intel’s 8088/80286/80386 processors and Motorola’s 68000/68020/68030 family. As in the earlier edition, Tanenbaum meticulously explained the five levels of computer organisation:

• Digital logic level

• Microprogramming level

• Conventional machine-level

• Operating system machine level

• Assembly language level

These layers became more than academic—they became tools for innovation.

Localising Technology in Sri Lanka

While at the University of Colombo, I applied the principles from Tanenbaum’s third edition to develop SBIOS (Sinhala Basic Input/Output System) and TBIOS (Tamil Basic Input/Output System)—custom BIOS replacements written in Assembly language for IBM-compatible systems.

This was a landmark achievement:

• Enabled trilingual computing in Sinhala, Tamil, and English

• Marked the first use of localised IBM PCs by the Sri Lankan community

• Empowered users to interact with technology in their native languages

Localised BIOS powering Sri Lanka’s first trilingual PCs (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

Supporting this development were the IBM PC/XT and PC/AT reference manuals, which provided essential technical guidance for working with the 8088/80286/80386 processor families.

Originally developed in the late 1980s, the ‘Wadantharuwa’ package was marketed as a pioneering solution within the IBM PC environment. (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

The image illustrates the Sinhala BIOS (SBIOS) functioning within an IBM PC setup, with the DOS prompt actively handling user input and system output in the Sinhala language character set. (Source: Image © Turrance Nandasara)

Reflections on a Cross-Continental Journey

From lecture halls in the University of Essex to development labs in Colombo, my journey through computer science was shaped by Computer Science textbooks, a handful of processors, and a vision for inclusive technology. What began as academic curiosity evolved into a mission: to make computing accessible, multilingual, and locally relevant.

“From Essex to Colombo, my journey wasn’t just about mastering machines—it was about making them speak our languages.”

---

“Preserving these stories ensures future generations understand the roots of our digital transformation.”

---