Reminiscences of iconic Sri Lankan scribe, Siri Ranasinghe and his mighty pen
Sri Jayewardenepura University bestowed due honour and felicitation to Siri Ranasinghe (SR) who rendered a yeoman service in his capacity as the Chief Editor of the Lankadeepa Newspaper and a member of the Senate of the university at the auditorium of the Senate house in the presence of a distinguished audience on January 9, 2024.
SR was at the helm of Wijeya Newspapers as the Chief Editor of Lankadeepa for the last 33 years out of his journalism career spanning 53 years. By any standards, this monumental feat he has achieved both as a journalist as well as a member of the Supreme Council of University Senate deserves special recognition and appreciation. Coincidently, the screening of the film, produced by Krishantha Dayananda, encompassing the personal and professional life of SR was a fitting tribute for this most accomplished journalist who is held in high esteem by journalists and academia.
Whilst Ven Professor Agalakada Sirisumana Thera of the Colombo University made the key note address, Senior Professor Padmalal Manage, Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardanapura University and Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Senior Professor Sampath Amarathunga made speeches as the guest speakers. Chancellor of the University, Dr Ittapane Dhammalankara, Mahanayake of the Siyam Chapter Kotte Sri Kalyani Samithi Dharma Maha Saba presided over the felicitation ceremony.
Lankadeepa is the forefront
Remembered as the visionary editor who took over the reins of Lankadeepa at a time when it needed a transition in the late 1980s, SR knew quite well the gargantuan task he was going to shoulder. The Lankadeepa daily newspaper which had a limited circulation of 23,000 saw a mammoth circulation surpassing 300,000 and Sunday Lankadeepa saw a circulation of over 500,000 within a matter of few months, thanks to the acumen and foresight of this editor. The general readership increased appreciably in that readers in every nook and corner of the island sought to lay their hands in early morning on Lankadeepa, relying on the latest factual news. Readers reposed a trust on Lankadeepa, as it conveyed authoritative news in an unbiased manner, irrespective of political ideologies and connotations. Staid layout, forceful headlines and powerful editorials are the attractions one could witness in this paper. The latest addition is the constant addition to the paper by way of electronic information.
Common touch
He has had the privilege of hobnobbing with statesmen, policy makers, ministers, high-profile CEOs more intimately, given the authoritative post he held as the Chief Editor of Lankadeepa. All the key officials of the public and private sectors were his buddies but it did not debar him from attacking them or their institutions whenever the occasion demanded due criticism in the national interest.
Simplicity is the hallmark of his career success
His was a long walk from the backyards of a remote village called Neralampitiya in Deiyandara of the Matara District. Though he has had the privilege of walking with kings and queens in his official capacity as Chief Editor, he did not hesitate to mingle with ordinary men and women. This is well proved from the photographs published in honour of Siri Ranasinghe 'Siri Asiri' where he has had friendly pleasantries with the four presidents of the country, namely J R Jayawardana, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithreepala Sirisena.
The success of Lankadeepa as a leading newspaper, winning the hearts of the people, was its ability to highlight the economic, social and financial issues of the marginalised segments of society with a view to receiving the intervention of the governments in power. In short, SR is an extraordinary man surrounded by extraordinary people. The massive audience that thronged at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute for this felicitation ceremony is a testament to this statement. The mere presence of the two former presidents on the occasion of his felicitation is an endorsement of the humility and simplicity of SR and the cordial manner with which Siri has discharged his onerous duties. SRs incisive intellect and disarming candour would win him many admirers and strangers who have not met him earlier. It is my view that SR has established a standard of professional ethos, vision and direction journalists should inculcate at any cost.
SR has a rare ability of using his mighty pen to talk in jeweled prose and this art of style is manifestly enunciated in the editorial comments of Lankadeepa. The magic of enticing readers to the editorial is in the fine phrasing and the sarcastic manner in which public attention is diverted for the attention of the authorities in the strong epithet. He knows how to say it. If only he had known then what to do. It is a matter of solace and encouragement that Ranjith Wijewardana, Chairman of Wijeya Newspapers understood the strengths and the core competencies of Siri Ranasinghe, having worked with him initially at Lake House and then at Wijeya Newspapers, encompassing a period of well over 53 years. SR is fortunate enough to secure career promotions in the ladder of success one after the other proving his capabilities to his employer on merit. His elevation to the post of executive director and his subsequent promotion to the directorate as a board member is one he has richly earned, having worked under trying conditions.
It is not only in the employment of Wijeya Newspapers he demonstrated his skills and knowledge. It is a rare distinction that he has been functioning as the Chairman of the Editor’s Guild, an institution that was established by the editors of leading newspapers, since its inception. It is a clear manifestation that he has been able to repose confidence and trust among his superiors, peers and rank and file in shouldering duties which involved complexed issues.
Being an alumnus of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, SR is credited with the appointment of a member of the Senate, the Policy making body for a number of years. Coincidently, he has also been functioning in the Senate of the Kelaniya University. The wealth of experience he has gathered over the decades as a high-profile CEO would have immensely helped him to discharge the onerous duties in a responsible and efficient manner. He is also honoured with the title of a 'Jayewardenepura Pradeepa Pranama' by the
Sri Jayewardenepura Alumni Association, considering the magnificent role he played in the upliftment of its academic activities.
Primary and secondary education
This article would not be complete, if a passing reference is not made about education he gained from his childhood. He was admitted to the Deiyandara Primary school at the age of 5 years by his father, who was the Village Headman, a prestigious family in that era. The new principal, Hubert Karunarathna, who came on transfer to the village had to find suitable accommodation and there were only few families who could provide a decent house with basic amenities. His father arranged for the principal’s occupation at a close relation's residence.
It did not taka a long time for the little child Siri to build up a close rapport with the principal and I would say that this interaction was an early turning point in the life of SR. He spent most of his leisure time with the principal, who grasped the inborn talents of the child. When the principal was transferred, he obtained the permission of the parents to take this little boy to Sandalanka MMV. When the principal was then transferred to Ampara D S Senanayake College, Siri had to go to Ampara. Here, he passed the GCE O/L examination with flying colours. Next, SR passed the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination at his first attempt at Gamini Maha Vidyalaya, Nuwara Eliya. He was fortunate to gain admission to Vidyodaya University (now Sri Jayewardenepura University) in 1962 and passed out after three years to enter the world of work. It was a coincidence that Siri’s journalism career commenced in 1965 under the same Chairman of Lake House. From Lake House he switched over to Wijeya Newspapers and onwards to a journalism career of 53 years, including the post of Chief Editor of
Lankadeepa for the last 34 years continuously.
Contribution to the social and economic development of Deiyandara
It must be recorded here in fairness to SR that his life and the affiliation with the village he was born in is intertwined. As Amara Gunasekera, former principal of Deyiyandara Maha Vidyalaya, has aptly described in his short article to the booklet compiled by Buddhadasa Galappatthi, it is unbelievable that a person with a meagre income could make a monumental transition to this village and suburbs. He makes it a point to send a new year greeting card to the school on the first of January annually, stating that he is indebted to the school. It is without any exaggeration to say that the social and economic upliftment his village has currently witnessed is solely due to the personal intervention of SR. When one analyses the social and economic development that this village has undergone for the last few decades, one can write a comprehensive book containing more than a hundred pages. Such a commitment has not been rendered by any politician to their electorates.
I would be failing in my duty if I do not make a brief reference at this occasion to place on record some of the major upliftment. The Deiyandara school where he had his primary education has been elevated to a Central College, giving higher education facilities to the unprivileged children in this geographical area. It was gifted with a three storied building with modern classroom facilities and the Mahindodaya Technical Lab. The basic rural hospital that catered to the village once upon a time has now become a fully equipped regional hospital providing health facilities to the surrounding villages. The sub-post office which was in a dilapidated building has been converted into a major postal hub. The Circuit Court has been replaced with a Magistrate's Court. Banking facilities in the good old days were unheard of for the villagers and the presence of leading commercial banks including the Bank of Ceylon now provides banking and financial facilities to the villagers. Finally, the commercial buildings and dwellings which were earlier mere thatches now encompasses not just the entire town but also adjacent villages and has transformed into a modern city. Furthermore, all the surrounding villages have benefitted with electricity and roadways.
The infrastructural developments that this village has recently undergone is unbelievable. The 300-year-old Kalugala temple is today equipped with modern buildings and other amenities and it has become an excellent centre of learning for samanera bikkus. In short, the quality of life of the villagers of Deiyandara has undergone this monumental transition with the blessing of an unassuming man. It is probably for these reasons that the moderator Saman Athaudahetti made a request to Ranjit Wijewardene to retain the services of SR in his fold until the forthcoming elections are over. At a time when political parties are engaged in a relentless drive to grab potential statesmen into their cesspit of politics, every effort must be taken to safeguard SR from entering politics at this crucial juncture. Who made this thaumaturgy! He is none other than Siri Ranasinghe, Chief Editor of Lankadeepa of Wijeya Newspapers. 'Siri Asiri'