Obituary Notice – Professor Ambalam Pushpanathan
(24.03.1964 – 31.01.2025)
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Prof. (Dr.) Ambalam Pushpanathan, Professor in Management at the Faculty of Business Studies, University of Vavuniya.
The late professor’s remains will lie at his residence in Puviyakam, Nelukkulam, Vavuniya, on 2nd February 2025 (Sunday), from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Following this, his remains will move to the University of Vavuniya, allowing staff, his colleagues, and students to pay their respects.
His funeral will take place at his Jaffna residence, Selva Mahal, Alvai, Karaveddy, on 5th February 2025 (Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m., followed by cremation at Alvai Hindu Cemetery.
Biography
Prof. (Dr.) Ambalam Pushpanathan was born on 24th March 1964 in Vathiry, Alvai, Point Pedro, Jaffna. He completed his schooling from Grade One to Advanced Level at J/Thevanyali Hindu College. He then earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1989 from the University of Jaffna. Later, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Management in 1996 from Sri Jayewardenepura University, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Management Science (Enterprise Management) from Xiamen University, China, in 2008. In 2006, Xiamen University honored him with the Best International Student Encouragement Award.
Prof. Pushpanathan served as a distinguished academic and dedicated educator at the University of Vavuniya since 1994. The university promoted him to the rank of Professor in Management on 22nd December 2021. Throughout his illustrious career, he made significant contributions to the fields of Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development, and Marketing Management. In addition, he served as Head of the Department of Economics and Management from 2010 to 2013 and as Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies from 2013 to 2019. He also held the position of Director of the Centre for Quality Assurance from 2021 to 2024.
Prof. Pushpanathan’s contributions to the field of management, and the impact he made on those around him, will never be forgotten.
On behalf of the University of Vavuniya, we express our heartfelt condolences to his family members, friends, and relatives.
Om Shanti!!! May his soul rest in peace!!!
Staff of University of Vavuniya