Dr. Kandasamy Poologasundram

A distinguished engineer Dr. Kandasamy Poologasundram has passed away yesterday.

Dr. Poologasundram, graduated top of his class with first-class honours in Engineering from the University of Ceylon. Following this, he won a scholarship to pursue his Doctorate in Engineering at Imperial College, London, which he completed in 1960. Dr. Poologasundram subsequently joined the Sri Lanka State Cement Corporation as a Project Engineer and then in 1966, joined Edwards, Reid and Begg as an equal partner with Geoffrey Bawa. He also ascended to President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka in 1979 – at the time he was the youngest person to be appointed to that position.

Dr. Poologasundram and Bawa ran the most successful architectural and engineering firm in Sri Lanka for over two decades. During this period, they completed many successful projects in Sri Lanka and South India, including the prestigious Sri Lankan Parliament, Bentota Beach Hotel and Ruhunu University.

In recognition of his pre-eminent contributions to architecture and engineering, Dr. Poologasundram was honoured with a Lifetime Contribution to Architecture award in 2021.

He was a beloved husband to Sri Ranjini, a loving father to Bhuvani, Hari, and Yamini, a respected father-in-law to Rajan, Anjali, and Prajeeth, a cherished grandfather to Suja, Divya, Virosh, Manish, Tiana, and Alisha, and an affectionate great-grandfather to Daniel, Zoe and Zara.

His remains will be at his residence at 9, Dharmaraja Mawatha, off Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3, on Monday, 10 February, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cortège will depart the residence at 3:30 p.m. for final rites at the General Cemetery, Borella (Hindu pyre section).