Veteran journalist Edwin Ariyadasa passes away | Daily News

Veteran journalist Edwin Ariyadasa passes away

Veteran journalist and media personality Kala Keerthi Edwin Ariyadasa passed away. He was 98 at the time of his demise.

Born on December 3, 1922, in Unawatuna, Galle, Ariyadasa is an alumnus of Mahinda College and the University of Ceylon where he obtained a degree in Sinhala and English languages. Teaching was his first profession, after which he entered the insurance field.

He found his true calling in journalism, having joined the Lake House in 1949. He had worked with Lake House founder D.R. Wijewardene, who passed away in 1950.

Ariyadasa worked for most of the newspapers published by Lake House, including the Daily News. He held the post of Editor, Navayugaya, for some time. Later, he was instrumental in establishing Mass Communication and Media courses at local universities. He is also a renowned writer on Buddhism and current topics and he continues to contribute to newspapers and magazines. He has authored several books in Sinhala and English.

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Death of veteran journalist Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa

Veteran Journalist and media personality Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa passed away at the age of 98.

Born in 1922 in Galle, he turned 98 on December 3, last year. He was reported unwell subsequently. Ariyadasa was a newspaper editor, author and radio and TV host in both Sinhala and English media. He is also regarded as the longest lived bilingual journalist in Sri Lanka.

He was a student of the Buddhist Mixed School in Unawatuna and Mahinda College, Galle. He entered the University of Ceylon in 1945 and passed out with a Bachelor’s degree in Sinhala and English languages.

Dr. Ariyadasa started his journalistic career at Lake House. He had contributed to most of the Lake House publications including the Daily News, Sunday Observer, Dinamina, Silumina, Janatha and was the Editor-in-Chief of Navaugaya.

In addition, Ariyadasa was a prominent film critic, teacher and erudite who performed well until the recent past.

Dr. Ariyadasa’s contribution towards introducing the study of Mass Communication for higher education in Sri Lanka is outstanding. He formulated the first syllabus to teach mass communications at the University of Kelaniya and was also instrumental in introducing the media studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka. He was highly influential in the inauguration of the Diploma of Mass Communications at the University of Colombo.

Dr. Ariyadasa had been bestowed with over 300 awards during his lifetime. Funeral arrangements will be notified later. (LF)