Ajith C. S. Perera

This article is about the Disability Rights Activist and Former Test-Match-Panel Cricket Umpire. For the politician, see Ajith Perera.

Ajith C. S. Perera
Born29 February 1956
Galle, Sri Lanka (earlier Ceylon)
Died29 October 2020(2020-10-29) (aged 64)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationRoyal College Colombo,
University of Sri Lanka-Colombo,
University of Birmingham – England
Occupation(s)Chartered Chemist,
Chief Executive Idiriya,
Former Test cricket Umpire,
Former Senior Manager,
Disability Activist
Accessibility adviser
Accessibility auditor
Parent(s)Commodore M. G. S. Perera,
Maureen Johanna Perera

Ajith Chrysantha Stephen Perera, JP, CChem., FRSC (29 February 1956 – 29 October 2020)[1] was a Chartered Chemist by profession, a scholar, a former senior manager in industry, a qualified training instructor, also a former test-match-panel cricket umpire.[2][3]

The international admiration Perera has won and the national recognition he has gained have come through his achievements, acquired both in Sri Lanka and in England in different fields: cricket, analytical chemistry and quality assurance, in all of which he was academically and professionally well qualified and widely experienced.[4][5]

Almost on the eve of umpiring his first cricket test match in Colombo, Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, a large wayside tree crashed on and straddled his moving car, killing his chauffeur and leaving him instantaneously a paraplegic for life.[4][6][7][3]

He was a writer, speaker, author and a disability rights activist - as a fervent advocate for inclusion of all people by design - most importantly as a widely experienced and highly competent accessibility adviser and assessor, recognised by three learned societies and several reputed bodies overseas.[8]

He was the founder and, as of 10 June 2020, held the honorary position of Chief Executive / Secretary-General]] of Idiriya, a registered, not-for-profit humanitarian service organisation in Sri Lanka.

  1. ^ Ajith the Indomitable. Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 2 November 2020.
  2. ^ Chandrarathne, Ranga (2 April 2006). "Designing to add years to life". Features. p. 35. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  3. ^ a b Withington, Neil (1 September 2007). "Historic Occasion in Sri Lanka – Editor's Comments". Journal of the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (310). Surrey, England: The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers England: 21.
  4. ^ a b Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (18 February 2007). "Paraplegic Ajith campaigns for equality to all". Sports. The Nation on Sunday. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  5. ^ Wijedasa, K. L. F. (16 April 2007). "Signed Official Document". By:Former Director of Physical Education, University of Colombo (1965–1982); Former Member Sri Lanka Sports Council, Former Chairman, National Selection Committee; Former National Athletic Coach.
  6. ^ Veera, Sriram (29 January 2009). "Retired hurt but not out". Cricinfoblogs Tour Diary India in Sri Lanka 2009. ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  7. ^ Briggs, Simon; Tanya, Aldred (4 April 2000). Matthew, Engel (ed.). Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2000 (137 ed.). Guildford Surrey: John Wisden & Co. Limited. p. 1533. ISBN 0-947766-57-X.
  8. ^ "Voices unheard in Parliament". Features – Guest Column Daily Financial Times. Wijeya Newspapers. 5 December 2016. p. 17. Retrieved 10 December 2016.