News: A war minus shooting!

On a Saturday, we struggle to give greater content and permanence to a glorious Sunday, as we feel, it is the right of the English reading public to enjoy a Sunday morning with the oldest and the largest selling newspaper of the nation, the Sunday Observer.

Ours, is a battle to radically improve the quality of the content. Therefore, we embark on a journey, vigorously to address issues of the people, for the people. To us, at the Sunday Observer, in the words of George Orwell it is a - "Serious Sport" and a "war minus shooting".

Above all, readership matters a great deal. The content and quality we produce, have earned dividends to be the leading English weekly with the largest circulation for an uninterrupted period of 79 years, which is a unique record in the annals of the newspaper history during colonial and post colonial independence days of this country.

Here is how, we, in the main paper work as a team in good spirits in the expression of the objective to accomplish the task of giving a quality Sunday Observer to you on that glorious morning. Obviously blood pressure shoots high of those leading this team by noon on Saturday. But, fortunately by nature, none of those who steer this ship, at times in troubled waters, arecontracted by deadly diseases like blood pressure and hypertension.

Dinesh Weerawansa, the Chief Editor, the sporty 'never ageing' young man, who walks in the mould of a 'sprinter' is much concerned about deadlines. Come Friday, he would ask me and the Senior Associate Editor, Lionel Yodhasinghe whether inside material are intact.

Yodhasinghe, a man in deep thought at times seems to wonder about the 'Pulse of the People", a weekly news feature compiled by the Deputy Editor, Ananda Kannagara. This is because Ananda at times has the tendency to send the pulses Lionel of me and high by doing something outside the weekly theme.

Whenever, Ananda is taken to task, the young 'sporty' Editor, Dinesh would have a broad smile in his own inimitable style as he is not a man who likes to hurt others be it official or otherwise.

Deputy Editor, Ananth Palakidnar returned to the Sunday Observer after a short stint in the Daily News a fortnight ago. The son of the late Justice Palakidnar, Ananth seeks justice everywhere he treads.

His approach is similar to a tortoise. But his aim to the target is sharp. A hard push makes him more alive to produce good stories. Palakidnar could produce more in the coming days, if tight denim jeans and brief skirts are only seen at a distance.

Our Assistant Deputy News Editor is the smart bulky, Jayantha Sri Nissanka, still a Romeo in silence. He is our Face 2 Face man. If you meet him Face 2 Face, the result would be double of what you expect. He believes in producing two at a time as he has done at home.

A father of twins, Jayantha prefers to work late night to evade the responsibility of looking after the twins. He would always address the fair sex as "Baba". Recently, he was almost "Baba Trapped" (not booby trapped) over a misidentify on the phone. When writing news stories, he produces two at a time.

We have 'mobile' News Editor, the long haired Ranga Jayasuriya who never sits in one place. He is the only 'mobile' News Editor in today's print media.No wristwatch in hand, this pint sized man never looks at a clock. Everyday is a working day but deadlines are not his concern.

He is eager about quality and material. Likes to traverse on the path leading to war in troubled areas. Though small in size, this little man is mischievous. When mischievous he likes to do a 'Golden Shower' at a hotel nearby. Very few know about his tendency to enjoy a 'Golden Shower'. To work with him to meet deadlines, is a difficult task because, he likes to improve what is produced all the time.

Our Senior Chief Sub-Editor, Ananda Kumar is a twice blessed man. He used to bathe in 'spirits' over the years. But, a few months ago he was baptised twice. On the second baptism, he was to be called for Confirmation. But, the one above postponed it and told him that it was time to give up the habit of bathing with 'spirits'. It was then that Ananda Kumar knew that he was being bathed with 'evil spirits' over the years.

Deepal Warnakulasuriya, Deputy Editor (Foreign News) was also a part of our team before being elevated to foreign level. Earlier he, dominated the provinces without chief ministerial status. Deepal works hard at office and later at home.

His hard work has paid dividends both ways. In office he was rewarded with the "Around the Globe" section. At home he was blessed with another baby boy, a few weeks ago. What a happy man is Deepal! All achievements have paid him rich dividends.

Our Senior Reporter, Anura Maitipe is another man who prefers to travel. Though not seen much, he produces stories on Saturday mornings. He likes leisure very much.

The good Editor has awarded him an assignment to cover the Dhaka Rally starting from Bangladesh, a month long tour in this region. Anura is a lucky man, who, very recently won a Swedish Lottery. The prize was a luxury house in the suburbs plus a Sri Lankan made, Swedish adopted big doll.

Health Reporter, Shanika Sriyananda is a healthy looking mother who could produce healthy copies to print. She loves her byline more than herself. Her journalist husband is yet to discover this secret. She hardly sits in one place for long. Health is her wealth. She also likes writing about 'Power'. Who doesn't like power, is another question.

Chanuka Mannapperuma, fresh after her trip to the land of Cherry Blossom, now looks a Japanese doll. Leisure, Travel and Tourism are her favourite avenues. Though still young, she has the ability to produce more. Her skills bear testimony to her ability.

Jayampathy Jayasinghe, the Cop turned Journalist is a quiet man. Crime is his forte though an ex-cop. If there is no crime, there is no Jayampathy. The YMCA walls know better about this bachelor boy who is yet to commit a crime.

We have a young Sub-Editor, Thava Sajeetharan who is also a Reporter. This dark tall guy, hailing from the hill country is now a very busy man in office. He has two jobs here. One is sub-editing and the other is 'loving'. He has fallen for a "Roja Malar", who looks an "Alagiya Rani" to Saji.

The business desk man who assists the main paper on Saturday, Leon Wickremesinghe pounces on errors, be it on the copy or the proof like a lion. He is eyes are sharp to grab the meal he wants. Afreeha Jawad, the Feature Writer is a 'clean body'.

She wants to give a 'clean copy' all the time. Her cleanliness helps many. Less trouble with the 'clean copy' she designs. The tall, stern but flexible Samangie Wettimuny, the young sub-editor gained much experience within a short time.

Though not a good schemer, she could plan to print well ahead of deadlines. Her accuracy is perfect even to take lunch ahead of time. She believes and thinks that everything must conclude ahead of time.

Nisansala Aryachandra, the other sub-editor could overcome problems with her charming smile. She is also ready for any challenge be it from any sex.

She's the only sub in the company yet to travel by bus. Three wheelers seem to be more comfortable to her though expensive. Moreover, sending her to work is said to be more expensive to the parents.

Last but not the least, we have shutterbugs, Avinash Bandara, Priyantha Hettige, Vipula Amarasinghe, Chintaka Kumarasinghe and Kavindra Perera. They compete with each other for the better picture. Some battle for the best. Some of them prefer operating in the light while a few in the dusk.

We all here at the Sunday Observer Editorial are greatly assisted by the Editor's Secretary, Marina Hearth, the Marina who has never been to the lovely Marina beach.

This speed walking secretary is taller than her Editor but, stands short before him. B. A. Ariyadasa, the loveable aide of many an Editor serves them for a lengthy period of time while young aides, Moonasinghe and Prasanna haunt the editorial day and night.

Stanley Jayaweera is a must to assist the sports desk. Sumathipala, the 'Thalaguli' man and Nalin Surendra are favourite aides in the features and the VDT with Shantha Yasapala.

Prasad Gunewardene, Associate Editor