Esmond Wickremesinghe:

Golden Pen in Sri Lankan media leadership

“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making every thing in its vicinity freshen into smiles.”

Washington Irving
(1783-1859) US writer.

by Kalakeerthi Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa

Over a period of time, spanning more than a century, Lake House has been the formidable citadel, safeguarding Sri Lanka’s indigenous media culture. This institution earned that cherished sobriquet, through its sustained and committed championship of the perennial values, sacred to high journalism. The pioneering stalwart of this prestigious establishment was a rare kind of person, who possessed an astonishing vision.

After the passage of this genius, who presided over the establishment, the mantle fell on the members of his family.

D.R. Wijewardene directed the affairs of his Establishment, with an unswerving deference towards high ethics, bordering almost on religious discipline. He vehemently objected to the publishing of any news, relating to him, not to say anything about his stern proscription of publishing his photo. This explains partly, why Lake House stood out in high profile, among the newspaper publishing houses in the East, at that time.

The foregoing, is a brief preamble to the central theme of this note.

When D.R. Wijewardene, felt that, due to failing health he will not be equal to the strenuous task of running the Establishment, as it should be, he placed his son-in-law, Esmond Wickremesinghe at the helm of affairs. He was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. (Lake House).

The praiseworthy service rendered by Wickremesinghe, in that prestigious office deserves to be rated as exceptionally distinguished.

In our commemoration of the 95th birthday of late Esmond Wickremesinghe, the words of writer Washington Iriving, acquire a surprising aptness.

As the head of a prestigious media establishment, Esmond Wickremesinghe, was a fountain, gushing out human kindness.

His character was never marred by an unkind or harsh word towards, anyone.

I have to delve into my personal memories to pay a tribute to this great personality. When I was a graduate fresh out of one university, an invitation came to me from him. His personal secretary Aelian Perera, brought me the invitation. Esmond Wickremesinghe invited me to join the Editorial Staff of Lake House. I joined Lake House. The Chairman Managing Director, himself, took me, the new recruit and introduced me to Sinhala and English newspaper editorial departments. Piyasena Nissanka, Editor, Dinamina, at the time, was keen to have me in his editorial staff.

This was way back on the 3rd of March 1949. There is an interesting aspect to this date. Twenty-one days later on March 24, 1949. Esmond Wickramesinghe’s son was born. This is Ranil Wickremesinghe – Sri Lankan Prime Minister.

Some areas in the life of Esmond Wickremesinghe, are not that widely known.

In April 1955, a highly significant international get-together took place, in Bandung, Indonesia. This was the precursor to the Non-Aligned Movement. Sri Lanka was represented at this gathering by Sir John Kotalawala, the then P.M. of Sri Lanka.

Esmond Wickremesinghe accompanied him as Advisor. At that time, there was a strong belief that the expressions ‘Non-Aligned Movement’ was initially created by Esmond Wickremesinghe.

Wickeremesinghe was widely reputed for his grasp of state-craft. As a convergence of all these factors, Esmond Wickremesinghe was awarded the highly valued prize, ‘The Golden Pen’ by the International Pen organisation. He is the only Sri Lankan to have won this Award.

He granted the Sinhala Daily Dinamina, the right to publish independent editorials, instead of translating the English Editorial. This is yet another instance of his liberal thinking.

My considered view, is that, it is high time, we brought out a biography of this great and liberal media leader.

In spite of his revolutionary and radical thinking patterns, he was a warm human being. Keenly sensitive to the grievances of people, his way of thought was totally bereft of even a vestigial trace of cynicism.

He is among the national leaders, who stand out in high profile for their dedications to the well-being of this land.