In Loving Memory of Imtiaz Issadeen – A Visionary Leader, Scholar, and Beloved Friend – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Remembering our dear friend Imtiaz, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone he met. We hold onto cherished memories of him that bring comfort and joy to our hearts.
Remembering Imtiaz Issadeen, an outstanding and highly respected individual. He was a senior fellow at Princeton Digital Group and a distinguished scholar at Sophia University in Japan. This year, he graciously accepted the role of Senior Fellow from the Founder of Princeton Digital Group. Despite the heavy responsibilities of managing a billion-dollar project, he had already achieved remarkable success in Japan, overseeing several high- profile construction projects worth over US $2.62 billion. His latest Greenfield AI-ready building in Japan was the largest of its kind, featuring 98MW of IT power. Imtiaz’s numerous awards include the 2025 W Media Award for outstanding engineering excellence, the 2010 Utility Award for CO2 reduction, the 2011 TEPCO Award for carbon footprint reduction, and recognition as the Most Outstanding Co-location Data Centre in Japan in 2011.
On his more relaxed social side, he owned and developed the OZlanka website, which started in 1999 in Sydney, Australia, at
www.ozlanka.com. AU. It served as a community news service for the Sri Lankan-origin community in Australia.
This newsletter became the most popular social update, offering an overview of all social activities for the year along with detailed information for the public to enjoy.
He was a talented stage host, entertaining at many events for the Sri Lanka Association of NSW.
He was a beloved figure in Sydney’s social circles. After spending over 10 years in Sydney, he returned to Japan with his family to assume significant roles in the building industry, as previously mentioned.
Tragically, after contracting COVID-19 a year ago in Japan, his health declined. He faced respiratory complications, with his lung tissue worsening- common among COVID-19 survivors- and was hospitalised several times. Sadly, he passed away in South Korea a few days ago.
May he find happiness and peace in the spiritual world. Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
3.10.25
