Veteran journalist Nandasena Suriyaarachchi (78), who worked as a senior journalist in a number of newspapers including Dinamina, Divaina, Rivira, Silumina, passed away on Wednesday, December 27. He was the author of 55 books.
Born on March 27, 1945 in Baddegama, Unanwitiya, Southern Province, Nandasena Suriyarachchi was a graduate of the Kelaniya University and educated at Welivitiya Maha Vidyalaya, Galle Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya and Horana Vidyarathna University College.
He joined Lake House in 1969 and worked for 12 years in the editorials of ‘Dinamina’ and ‘Silumina’. When the Upali Newspaper Company was started in 1981 by the renowned businessman Upali Wijewardene, he played a leading role in the establishment of the Divaina newspaper.
He worked there for 13 years and excelled in political articles, art and feature writing. The series of newspaper articles he wrote, including Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo, Dimbulagala Hamuduruwo, Upali Wijewardene, Maduwanwela Maha Disawa, Boralugoda Deshapalanaya, Sinhale Sinhaya Sir John, became highly popular at that time.
Suriyarachchi’s wife Dulsi is a retired teacher, while daughter Yasodara works in the Road Development Authority. His son Dhananjaya works as the head of a media agency.
The funeral took place at the Kohuwala Public Cemetery at 5.00 pm yesterday.
