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| Sunday, 19 February 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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110 th birth anniversary falls on Feb. 23 : DRW - Media tycoon and patriot by Ananda Kannangara
He brought in a new media culture. The establishment of "Lake House", one of the largest newspaper publishing companies in South East Asia, is also a product of this illustrious person. Although history shows that the art of journalism in our country existed even before the time of D. R. Wijewardene, it largely developed under the able guidance of DRW. The great sacrifice he made, to uplift the field with his pen, for nearly three decades was memorable. Born on February 23, 1886 into a family of seven at Sedawatte, Wellampitiya, Wijewardene received his preliminary education at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. Apart from his educational activities, DRW also showed a keen interest in social activities. Both his parents, the late Mrs. Dona Helena Wijewardene of 'Sedawatta Walauwa' and Mudliyar Don Philip Wijewardene, were a tower of strength to him. As a schoolboy, DRW had a close rapport with another fellow Thomian, the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka, D.S. Senanayake. He was also very close to the late Sir Francis Molamure, who was also a Thomian. After persuing his stint at S. Thomas', DRW entered Cambridge University, and passed out as a lawyer in 1912. He married the second daughter of Meedeniya Adikaram of Ruwanwella. Since DSS and DRW had similar qualities that came from their family background, the friendship was cherished further, but in two different camps. While DRW spoke highly about the development of media culture in the country, DSS focused his attention towards local politics, and that helped him to become the country's first Premier. The unblemished school friendship, that developed between them even after their school career, would have been the turning point in the life of DRW, as he too started focusing his attention to political activities, while still being active in the field of journalism. DRW always spoke about the importance of gaining independence, by focusing his attention on issues faced by people in the country, during the reign of the British Raj. As a patriot and a keen student of politics, DRW's influence behind the scenes was always considerable. At every stage of constitutional advancement of Ceylon, he was consulted, and his support solicited by men who formulated the reforms. His correspondence with Sir Geoffrey Butler, one of the four members of the Royal Commission of 1928 under the Chairmanship of the Earl of Donoughmore was unique. Sir Geoffrey and DRW were both products of Cambridge, and both of them were deeply interested in politics. In 1927, Butler was nominated as a member of the Royal Commission on British Colony of Ceylon. He played a main role in the formulation of the Commission's recommendations, but unfortunately he was not alive to see it in operation in the Constitution. While being engaged in various political activities, DRW was keen to put out a Sinhala newspaper, for the benefit of Sinhala readers. The launch of Dinamina publication was a fine example of this. The first issue of Dinamina rolled out of the press on December 17, 1909, under the supervision of the late H.S. Perera, who was its first editor. The printing press was then located along Maliban Street, Colombo. He wanted to take his message of the freedom struggle not only to the Sinhalese, but also the English speaking public. The result was the Daily News on January 3, 1918. In 1932, DRW plunged into the Tamil readers by putting out the 'Thinakaran' newspaper. The weekly magazine "Silumina" was published on March 30, 1930. DRW also engaged in religious and social activities. He developed the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, and also helped to develop the Gangaramaya temple at Hunupitiya. On the day of DRW's death (June 13, 1950) the then Governor General of Ceylon, Lord Soulbury wrote to his widow: "I am at a loss of words to express my profound sympathy on the loss of your husband, which is deeply felt by the whole of Ceylon, and myself. |
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The very mention of the word "journalism" goes parallel with that of the
late D. R. Wijewardene, media tycoon, freedom fighter etc. etc. It was due
to his invaluable contribution to the print media, that this patriotic Sri
Lankan son, will ever be remembered by those who had walked down the
corridors of Lake House. 
