Dr. Devamitta S Aturaliye

Devamitta Sirisoma Aturaliye, 87, passed away on February 18th, 2024. He was born on February 13th, 1937, the son of Piyadasa and Sylvia Aturaliye. Deva was raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was a proud product of Royal College, Colombo. While at Royal, he played field hockey and junior level cricket. He entered the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Peradeniya in 1959. After graduating from the University of Peradeniya in 1963, he began working for the Kandy Municipal Council as Chief Veterinarian. He also completed a Diploma in Veterinary State Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1970. He married Nilkanthi Shiromi Rajapakse in 1965 and they had two sons (the late, Anuru and Dhumal).

He worked at the Kandy Municipal Council till retiring at the age of 55 and moved to the United States in 1992. By the time of his retirement, his scope of responsibilities had increased to overseeing public health and community sports activities. He also worked as a visiting lecturer and examiner at the University of Peradeniya. To irradicate rabies from Kandy, he initiated a sterilization program which also provided an opportunity for him to teach surgery to the students of the Veterinary Faculty. During his tenor at the Municipal Council, the Municipal Council cricket team won the coveted Kandos trophy, in 1976. He also played for the Kandy Whites field hockey team. Once he moved to the United States, he contributed to the Peradeniya University Alumni Association scholarship program to provide financial assistance to the current students. In his spare time, in addition to enjoying a variety sports, he was an avid reader. He loved jazz music, and would singalong to Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra at the drop of a hat. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his friends. He kept up with the news and always had an astute observation on politics and history. He was a gentle and loyal friend to all. He was the calm presence in any room and was a wonderfully patient listener. He loved to laugh and loved to dance. The waltz was his favourite ballroom dance. He will be sorely missed by all. He is survived by his wife, his daughter in law, Janaki and younger son, Dhumal.

His funeral will be held on February 23rd, 2024 (4 PM CST), at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.