Deshamanya Dharmadasa Siriwardhana retired from government service recently, having served in both government and semi government institutions for 40 odd years.
During the period he not only did a yeoman service for his people but also to the media field.
Dharmadasa entered the media field through the ‘Rivirasa’ newspaper during his school days and became a well recognised journalist for among the national newspapers.
During his time at the Ambalangoda Divisional Secretariat he took the lead in providing houses for those who had no roofs over their heads. He was a son of an Ayurveda physician in the rural village, Moragala in the Deniyaya area and an old boy of MR/Kongahadeniya, Beralapanathara and Urubokka schools.
While in the government service he served as chief clerk in the Planning and Finance Ministries and Immigration & Emigration Department, National Museum, Registrar General and National Planning Departments for about 22 years. He had also served in Ambalangoda and Karandeniya Divisional Secretariat offices as the Unit Head for 11 long years.
He received the prestigious Deshamanya and Kawya Rasanjana awards for the social services rendered by him as a Vice Principal of a religious school, Secretary of a Rural Development Society and taking part in various welfare activities. He is also a Justice of Peace (All-Island) and was also an active member of the Balapitiya Board of Arbitration. He intends to release two books, one poetry and the other magazine, Rasawahini shortly.