‘NOW I’M FORTY’

Focus on Seelaratne Senarath

Veteran journalist and broadcaster Seelaratna Senarath celebrated his 40th year in the media sphere recently with the launch of a book titled ‘Mata Den Hathalihai’ (Now I’m Forty), which encompasses his 40-year experiences in the media. Written by journalist Ashoka Piyaratne, the book was launched at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort, Colombo 7, under the patronage of Indigenous community leader Uruwarige Vannila Aththo. Seelaratna Senarath is a well-known senior journalist, respected radio and TV announcer, one time Media Secretary to the Opposition Leader and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and also head of media institutions. Some of the popular radio shows he has voiced are “Ov Na Be”, “Vinadiyak Pamanai”, ”Pibidena Gayaka Parapura”, “Guruge Menik Vasana Udawa”, “Helen’s Mangala Seenu” and “Mahaveliyen Deyata Pidena Mal”. He is also the founder of many radio channels including Dinamina Radio and Pulathisi Ravaya community radio in Polonnaruwa. He is also one of the few announcers in Sri Lanka who can conduct public announcing in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. He was a teacher by profession before entering the media field. His life experiences in his teaching career in the late 70s in a remote village in the Batticaloa district was written into a book by journalist Ashoka Piyaratne, titled ‘Ada Mahattaya’ in 2016. Senarath is currently the Programme Director of China Radio International’s (CRI) Sri Lanka FM 97.9 channel and has worked in Beijing, China as an Expert Broadcaster for CRI Sinhala Service as well. The book launch was held to coincide with the third anniversary of CRI Sri Lanka FM 97.9 channel.