Dr. Dayananda Rajapaksa, a loving husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on March 30th, 2023 at the age of 77 from prostate cancer. Born on September 21, 1945 in Hungama, Sri Lanka to Don Nicholas and Emona Rajapaksa, Dayananda was a lifelong learner with a passion for the sciences and an appreciation of other cultures.

Dayananda graduated from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka with a degree in chemistry in 1967 and went on to earn a PhD from the University of Sussex, England. After postgraduate studies in Sweden, he joined the faculty of University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and began his teaching and research career as a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry. He then continued his pursuit of synthetic and analytical chemistry research through academic and industry positions that brought him to Canada, Texas, and ultimately the Bay Area. He designed and carried out synthetic routes for insect pheromones with broad agricultural applications at Trece Inc. Most recently, he developed high throughput analytical methods to detect dangerous substances while at the California Department of Public Health. Along the way he built lasting friendships with classmates and colleagues who shared his love of science and conversation.

In 1978, Dayananda married Ranjani and together they raised three daughters, Samantha, Naomi, and Amanda. He encouraged his family in their endeavors and went above and beyond in his support for extended family. Dayananda was a vital member of the Sri Lankan community in the Bay Area. For a number of years he served as treasurer of the Dharmapala Institute, a Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, and was the inaugural elected president of the Sri Lankan American Center for Social Welfare of Northern California. In his spare time, Dayananda enjoyed learning new languages, gardening, and cooking food from all over the world. He continued to have a deep love for Sri Lanka, closely following politics and sharing his interest in traditional music with others.

Dayananda is survived by his wife, Ranjani, daughters Samantha, Naomi (Shun) and Amanda, and siblings Mathiyas, Nissanka, Ratnawalie and Latha. He was preceded in death by his brother Dharmapala. Dayananda will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

Buddhist services will be held on April 5th (Bana) from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and April 6th (Dana) at 9:30 am at the Dharmapala institute in Milpitas, California. Funeral services will be on April 8th, 2023 at 12:45 pm at Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dayananda Rajapaksa can be made to the American Cancer Society.