UNFORGETTABLES
MAHINDA ABEYSUNDARA
The 4th death anniversary of veteran journalist and columnist Mahinda Abeysundara falls on November 28. The seasoned scribe who served both in the print and electronic media, first joined the Dawasa newspaper in 1961 and was nurtured under the guidance of veterans D. B. Dhanapala, David Karunaratne and Piyal Wickremasinghe. A few years later he joined the ‘Janadina’ newspaper as a reporter and rose to the post of Chief Editor. While working at the Janadina newspaper he also served as an English teacher for 23 years. Having retired prematurely from his teaching professions, he joined the Upali Group of Newspapers and later was the News Director and Media Consultant at ITN. His long-running ‘Mahindage Aagiya Kathaa’ in the Sunday Lakbima was one of his most popular columns which depicted his vast experience and outstanding language proficiency. His last role in journalism was at the helm of Dinamina.
NIHAL SILVA
The 28th death anniversary of popular Sri Lankan actor and comedian Nihal Silva who rose to fame playing the title role in Sergeant Nallathamby, falls on December 3. Born on January 10, 1954 in Colombo, Nihal grew up in Nuwara Eliya. He acted in several films, tele dramas and stage plays, playing Sergeant Nallathamby for the first time in the Neinage Suduwa drama.
KIRTHI SRI KARUNARATNE
The 86th birth anniversary of veteran couturier Kirthi Sri Karunaratne who excelled in the field of fashion and design for almost six decades, falls on November 28. He passed away in Colombo on November 1 this year. One of the pioneers in the fashion field, Kirthi also designed costumes for several movies and theatre productions while acting in some of them too. He was the costumes designer in Nidhanaya and also acted in it. His role as Mr. Nirwasthara in ‘Colamba Sanniya’ is one of the most popular roles played by him in cinema. The well-known newspaper fashion columnist had also sung with Deva Sooriyasena in the philharmonic choir.
ANTON JUDE
The 57th birth anniversary of talented actor and singer Anton Jude falls on November 28. The exceptionally talented artiste passed away on March 20, 2012, plunging the entire film, stage and tele drama industry into shock. He made his debut on stage and went on to play unforgettable characters in films like Bahubuthayo, Rankewita, Numba Nadan Apata Pissu, Sikuru Hathe, Rosa Kele, Mago Digo Dai, Ethumai Methumai and several other popular hits. He acted in tele dramas like Punchi Rala, Sabanda Pabilis, Sakisanda Pabilis and others. His song ‘Aish Amma Gundu’ (Una Puruke Balu Walige) penned by the late Joe Abeywickrema was also a popular hit among the masses. Anton Jude Gomes studied at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic School, Mount Lavinia.