Srilankabhimanya Sir Arthur C. Clarke, was the first to introduce the concept of extra-terrestrial communication through geo-stationary satellites as far back as 1945. Besides this, there are several other similar visionary and futuristic ideas as well as his works as a prolific author of science fiction has immensely contributed to his global fame.

Sir Arthur was born in the 1917 at Meinhead in the UK. He chose to live In Sri Lanka from 1956. He contributed to Sri Lankan society with his vision, writings and predictions and brought fame to the Island for a period of over half a century until his demise on March 19, 2008.

Sir Arthur was known to many as a superb science fiction writer. His fictions have specialty, mainly because they were based on some fundamental scientific elements. Therefore many of the creations were not impossible and could actually be materialized some day – in a few years or few centuries. His curiosity of science, experience at the Royal Air Force, UK  during the Second World War as a RADAR technician and studies leading to a Bachelors’ degree from Kings College, London in mathematics and physics would have influenced him to author realistic science fictions. He had also written a number of popular nonfiction books and over 500 science/ technical articles.

The most acknowledged of the technical articles written by Sir Arthur was “Extra-terrestrial Relays: Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?” published in the Journal “Wireless World” UK in October 1945. That article demonstrated the concept of geo – stationary satellites, and with three such satellites properly placed in orbit, global communication coverage could be achieved. This was published long before man-made satellites were launched.

 Sir Arthur C. Clarke loved and cared the nature. He first settled down at Unawatuna on the south coast of Sri Lanka and later came to Colombo. He enjoyed scuba diving and was very interested in under – water exploration.

In the early part of nineteen eighties, the government of Sri Lanka decided to setup a centre for Modern Technologies. The scientists and administrators contributed to this task, associated with Sir Arthur C. Clarke from the vey beginning and he even donated the prize money he received from the prestigious Marconi Award to be used in setting up the center for modern technologies. Sir Arthur C Clarke had been the Patron of this institute until his demise in March 2008.

Sir Arthur C.Clarke also functioned as the Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa, over two decades from 1979 to 2002. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Moratuwa in recognition of his achievements and services.

Sri Arthur C Clarke’s demise is a great loss to Sri Lanka and to the world. His service to the nation will however remain forever etched in our annals.