Dayawansa Jayakody:

50 years in book publishing

By R.S Karunarathne

When the Sri Lanka Freedom Party led by its charismatic leader S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike swept into power in 1956, 16-year-old Dayawansa Jayakody was a Grade six student at Ananda College, Colombo. This was a time everybody took a keen interest in the Sinhala language.

Dayawansa Jayakody

Jayakody, a bright student of Sinhala also started writing essays and short stories. His short story entitled "Vesak Serasilla" drew Mrs Kamala Rajapaksa's attention. Being the Sinhala teacher she realised the value of the short story and published it in the college magazine Sinhala Daruva.

Encouraged by the publication of his maiden short story, Jayakody decided to publish a children's newspaper . Although he published the maiden issue of Sisumina, his parents did not encourage him to continue with the publication as it would disrupt his studies.

However, his determination to publish a children's newspaper remained in tact.

After sitting the G. C. E. Ordinary Level examination he published another children's newspaper - Helabima. It was launched on February 4, 1961 after 13 years of Independence. The newspaper became so popular that he had to print more than 20,000 copies. He said the newspaper became the launching pad for many budding Sinhala writers such as Premakeerthi de Alwis, A. D. Ranjith Kumara, Newton Gunasekara, Neil Wijeratne, Prof. Jinadasa Danansuriya, Athula Manchanayake, Siri Kahawala, Chandrasena Ranaweera and Chandralatha Senanayake.

Car

With the income he earned from the sale of the newspaper he brought a car. However, his father did not like his son driving a car to school while some of his teachers used to come by bus.

Helabima was printed at Divaina Press in Ward Place, Colombo. At the time Jayakody was studying for his G. C. E. Advanced Level examination. Emboldened by the brisk sales of the newspaper he brought the press from its owner Justin Siriwardane and renamed it as Helabima Press.

It was in 1962 that Jayakody decided to become a book publisher. His maiden publication was Nimal Ariyawansa Perera's Sahithya Sangrahaya. The book has been reprinted several times since its publication on August 29, 1962. It was followed by Nimal Sedera's Katu Aga Pipi Mal, B. H. Lesley Sirisena's Ko Amme Taththa, Premadasa Gamage's Palangetiyo and Dharmakeerthi Jayasekara's Ratu Kandulu. All the books were launched as Helabima publications.

Furniture dealer

Jayakody could have led a comfortable life as his father owned a flourishing furniture shop. However, he preferred to be a book publisher rather than a furniture dealer.

Without resting on his laurels he wanted to become a writer as well. His first book Sinhale Jathika Satan proved his writing skills. The book launched on October 22, 2001 has gone into five editions. The year 1965 was crucial for him. He launched Dayawansa Jayakody and Company at Avandhal Road, Colombo 10. With the consent of the then Prime Minister R. Premadasa, he got the name changed to Ven S. Mahinda Mawatha and put up a statue of the Bhikkhu at the junction.

He also erected a statue of Piyadasa Sirisena at the Piyadasa Sirisena Mawatha. Recently he put up a statue of Ven Gangodawila Soma Thera close to Ven S. Mahinda Mawatha. P. M. Jayatilleke's Sinhala novel Ginidel was the first book to be published by the new company. Thereafter he published a string of books written by Kumara Karunaratne, Edward Mallawarachchi, Somaweera Senanayake, R. R. Samarakoon, Newton Gunasekara, Jayakody Seneviratne and Jayasena Jayakody.

Eminent authors

Jayakody has also published many other books written by eminent authors such as Prof E. R. Sarachchandra, Prof Sunil Ariyaratne, Prof Sunanda Mahendra, Sarath Wijesuriya, G. B. Senanayake, Karunasena Jayalath, K. G. Karunatilleke and Chandra Anagiratne. He also published all the books written by the late President R. Premadasa. Up to now he has published more than 3,000 books. Today he has turned his attention to publish books on Buddhism. He is ably supported by his wife Veronica Damayanthi Jayakody who herself is an author of many books on Buddhism. He has also published books on Buddhism written by erudite Bhikkhus such as Ven Bellana Gnanawimala, Ven Gangodawila Soma, and Ven Kiribathgoda Gnanananda.

After 50 years in publishing, Jayakody has left his mark of excellence in the world of books. He is the main sponsor of the forthcoming International Book Exhibition at the BMICH from September 18 to 26.