The several layers of Sannasgala

[Reading Sannasgala]

'Reading Sannasgala in Colombo' a unique book launch by Upul Shantha Sannasgala, the well-known writer and journalist will be held on May 6 at 2.30 p.m. at the 'Tharangani' Hall at the National Film Corporation. Chief Guests of the event will be President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

by Anuradha Kodagoda

It is said that every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. Although many don't have the ability to give them their separate identities and personalities and have them relate to the other characters living inside them, there are however some rare individual who have the innate ability to carry multiple identities with consummate ease.

Upul Shantha Sannasgala is one such person. At times he takes on the role of a romantic novelist like Miguel Cervantes (Spanish writer - 1545 to 1616), though Sannasgala is not a career-writer. At times he takes on the mien of a film producer and tackles highly controversial themes, which then create certain trends in the Sri Lankan cinema, though he's not a career film-producer. Sometimes he dons the mantle of a journalist tackling timely and topical themes in the in print and electronic media. But he is not a career journalist either.

Through these various personals he has played varied and remarkable roles in society, high among this is his role as an activist giving voice to the concerns of feudalistic power politics carried out by the former regime.

All these identities make up the sum of the man that is Sannasgala, but what he is most recognised for by millions of grateful students around the country is his role as a beloved tutor with specialized language skills in Sinhala.

Sannasgala is loath to pin the label 'tutoring' as his defining identity because he is much more than that. And if he is to consider lecturing as his career path, he could have many giant academies around the country. This however, was never in his agenda.

He calls himself as a lost identity, though wrapped around many identities at the same time, and says he never had a target or final destination that he wanted to reach in life. Rather he enjoys the ride while travelling on a map.

Being a multi-faceted personality, he has however had his feet firmly planted in the field of journalism for three decades. Unapologetic about his fascination with journalism, and is all set to launch a set of 15 books, a magnificent opus, covering his contribution as a journalist during the past 30 years.

The fifteen books encompass his diverse role in the media and the contributions he has made to the electronic media, especially televisions, and the print media, by way of columns and series of articles that he has written to many national news papers.

"Although it's the thirtieth year that I have been involved with Journalism, nobody would identify me as a journalist because I've been involved in so many other things at the same time. I think it is high time to recall the work that I have been doing so far as a journalist. Therefore, I'm launching fifteen books, which contain fifteen media programs that I have done.

The other important aspect of this launch is, so far none of the Presidents or Prime Ministers have taken part in any of my events," he says, pointing out with a great degree of pride that this time the Chief Guests of the event will be President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

"I know both of them are art lovers and have a sense for art and culture other than their political careers," he says explaining that the two main speeches will be given by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the launch."

The launch is appropriately titled 'Reading Sannasgala in Colombo'.

Sannasgala says 'Reading Sannasgala in Colombo' is the outcome of the immense struggle he has been undergoing with the civil society for the past three decades and he thinks it's vital that the struggle be written and not allowed to be forgotten by time.

'Reading Sannasgala in Colombo', Sannasgala say is a name of a book that is also going to be launched at the event. Written by W. Wijewardhana, the book talks about the Colombo society which failed to read Sannasgala and his contribution, especially in the English speaking community.

"Although the English speaking society is a limited minority in our country, I think they play a vital role when it comes to decision making. Therefore, I think it's equally important to share my thoughts and ideas with that segment of society as well," Sannasgala said. Most of Sannasgala's works have been labelled as 'propaganda'. He dismisses the criticisms, though common, as quite outdated.

"Whatever I do, it has to have a political background. Being a political animal, I strongly believe there should be propaganda if you are doing anything in society. I enjoy doing different things at different times. I never wanted to limit or imprison myself in one goal or identity.

"I could have easily built academies in every main city in the country and doubled my income as a tutor, but I invested that money to make films.

I love to quit things when they are at their peak. Many of the programs that I did on television and radio, I stopped at their peak. I think that's how we can mark our presence. We should learn to leave at the right time," Sannasgala says.