D.R. Wijewardene remembered
 Lake House commemorates the 129th birthday of D.R. Wijewardene today,
the founder of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) and a
pioneer in the Sri Lankan media field.
He had a vision to awaken the nation.
With a high degree of discipline, dedication, devotion and commitment
this versatile intellectual made a turning point in history as one of
the stalwarts of Sri Lanka's independence movement.
Wijewardene set up Lake House with seven newspapers Dinamina,
Silumina, Ceylon Daily News, Observer, Sunday Observer, Thinakaran and
Sunday Thinakaran (Thinakaran Varamanjari). He selected the best
journalists and editors for his newspapers and they are still household
names and mentors for many journalists today.
They shared Wijewardene's passion for journalism and high editorial
standards. Quality and ethics were never taken for granted. He ensured
that his newspapers reflected the views and concerns of all communities
and religious groups. Even in the most difficult times, social or
political, Lake House did its best to run it with a few professionals.
Even sixty-five years after his death, every Lake House employee
holds him in high esteem. The Government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike
nationalised the company in 1973.
A former editor of the Ceylon Daily News H.A.J. Hulugalle wrote that
D.R. Wijewardene had established several flourishing newspapers, built a
great business and influenced the course of the island's history.
Perseverance, courage and a high sense of public duty were the main
elements of his success.
He was convinced that one of the most powerful instruments in freedom
struggles was the potent force of the press and created a newspaper
empire.
He started his newspaper group with a vision to fight for the
Independence of Ceylon from Colonial rule; to fight for freedom,
democracy and sovereignty. He was a perfectionist with a far-sighted
vision and an outstanding personality of his time. Wijewardene hailed
from a wealthy family of prosperous merchants.
He made a significant contribution in Sri Lanka's national flag. In
1948 the flag was adopted as the national flag of the Dominion of
Ceylon. Wijewardene ensured that Lake House got the latest technology
for the print media.
The newspapers which he started flourished, informing, educating and
entertaining the readership all over the island. |
