‘Path of Destiny’ by Jayatissa Bandaragoda

By Jagath Chandralal

One of the great sons of Ambalangoda Dharmasoka College, Jayatissa Bandaragoda, has recently published the autobiography of his illustrious life.

Born in a beautiful village in the South called Niyagama, his beginnings were at Christ Church College, Baddegama and thereafter at the prestigious Buddhist institute Dharmasoka College.

After his secondary education he entered into the towers of learning at the University of Ceylon.

Having obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree, he proceeded to the UK to master his knowledge at the University of Cambridge.

While serving in Sri Lanka’s administrative service he proceeded to obtain his masters in the University of Monash, Australia. 

Bandaragoda was fortunate enough to be educated in both languages Sinhala and English, in which he is a master.

 He has brought much honour to his Alma Mater Dharmasoka College of Ambalangoda by being the first entrant to the Science faculty of the University of Ceylon.

Sri Lanka Administrative Service in the yester years was considered the best in the South Asian Region and Bandaragoda was one of the pioneers to excel in this field.

Hailing from a rural village with farming as its livelihood and the experience of working in paddy fields, it’s a coincidence that Bandaragoda had the opportunity of selecting farming related fields for his postgraduate studies. Like a duck taking to water Bandaragoda had no hesitation what so ever in mastering the skills in water management, agriculture irrigation, rural administration etc. which were not areas alien to him.

Though he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he reached great heights in life overcoming all obstacles encountered. In his book he teaches us to think beyond insular way, to achieve your goals in life.

 His biography is easily read, poetic and simple and entices one to read it and even contemplate thereafter. 

This really is a book to be read by the masses and it needs to be translated into Sinhala, as a measure to compensate the Sri Lankan youth who have been deprived of English education at a certain point of time, mainly due to short sighted political decisions.

If any work of literature sets your mind marvelling and stimulates your thoughts, it is a work of art that needs recognition and acceptance, and so is this great book of Bandaragoda

We cannot conclude this book as a mere autobiography since in the true sense of words it is a masterpiece created by a master himself. Reading this book arouses your feelings and makes you to realise that life should be lived fully. This makes the book an enduring piece of literature.