The passing of Engineer Samuel Nihan Niles is an unfillable gap in the hearts of the University of Moratuwa community and the Textile and Apparel sector of Sri Lanka. While we grieve the loss of this respected academic, we also honour a life that was quietly dedicated to immeasurable teaching, service, and the enhancement of others’ lives.
Yet, it was perhaps his humanity that defined him most. He treated everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of position or status. Students admired his patience, colleagues valued his wisdom, and staff appreciated his kindness that he manifested during his tenure as the head of the department of Textile and Apparel Engineering as well as the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Engineering. In a world where loud voices often command attention, Eng. Niles demonstrated that quiet strength, humility, and compassion leave the deepest and most enduring impressions. In the mean time, he came forward and openly expressed his views without hesitation whenever he noticed injustice and this behaviour became a tower of strength when his role as an EXCO member of University of Moratuwa Teachers Association and as the founder secretary of Association of Engineer Teachers of the University of Moratuwa.
The Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering was his academic home. Through thirty years of dedicated service, he helped to shape its growth, its culture, and its reputation. The graduates he taught now serve across Sri Lanka and around the world, carrying with them the knowledge, values, and professionalism he so carefully instilled. In many ways, his legacy lives on in every engineer whose life he helped shaping.
Beyond his contributions to the department, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the broader textile and apparel sector of Sri Lanka. He was instrumental in establishing and regulating standards of textile testing, ensuring quality, consistency, and global competitiveness within the industry. His expertise was sought after by key governing bodies, where he represented and contributed to the advancement of textile institutions and training centres across the country.
His service extended further through his active involvement in securing and facilitating educational grants, which enabled the development of new course curricula and the introduction of innovative learning approaches, not only for the department, but for the entire faculty. He was also a valued resource person in industry–university collaborative initiatives, bridging the gap between academia and practice. Through these efforts, he contributed significantly to training and upskilling the industry workforce, leaving a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel landscape.
Senior Lecturer, Engineer Nihan Niles leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured by titles or accolades—a legacy that lives on in every student inspired, every colleague encouraged, and every life touched by his wisdom, integrity, and kindness.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was a person of remarkable depth and character. He possessed a deep love for music, finding joy and inspiration in its aesthetic beauty, which often reflected his own thoughtful and harmonious nature. He had a unique lens of appreciation, recognizing and valuing the work and contributions of others with sincerity and insight. Constructive in his approach, he raised a culture of encouragement and growth among colleagues and students alike. His strong leadership qualities were evident in the way he guided and inspired those around him, always leading with integrity and vision.
As the University of Moratuwa bids farewell to one of its finest sons as well as a rare breed in the academic community, we remember a gentleman whose life embodied humility, excellence, democracy and selfless service. Though his voice is now silent, the lessons he taught, the kindness he showed, and the example he set will continue to echo through lecture halls, laboratories, and the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him. He is a thorough gentleman by his nature and truly a source of inspiration to the entire academic fraternity and the student community.
Though his years were few, they were lived with peace, purpose, and a quality that left a lasting imprint on many.
May his soul rest in peace