| "Ajith
was a talented and competent journalist who was fully
committed to his profession. Progressive in his political
outlook he always championed the cause of the ordinary
people...His demise is a great loss to the journalistic
fraternity as well as to the nation", said President
Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message.
Vetern journalist and
editor of Friday Ajith Samaranayake passed
away after a brief illness on Wednesday (22).
[Full message]
I am greatly shocked
and deeply saddened at the sudden death of veteran journalist
and Editor Ajith Samaranayake.
Ajith was a talented
and competent journalist who was fully committed to
his profession. Progressive in his political outlook
he always championed the cause of the ordinary people.
His mastery of the English
language and his lively style made reading his writings
a pleasure. He was equally competent in the Sinhala
language as evidenced by his columns in the Sinhala
press. His death leaves a vacuum in the field of English
language journalism in Sri Lanka.
Beginning his career
as a parliamentary reporter at Lake House, he later
joined Upali Newspapers Ltd. where he became Editor
of the Island, Sunday Edition. He joined Lake House
again as Editor, The Observer and Sunday Observer. He
served as Editor in Chief of Lake House English publications
and Editor of Friday at the time of his death.
An unassuming personality
he was much loved by his colleagues and subordinates.
His demise is a great loss to the journalistic fraternity
as well as to the nation.
I extend my deepest
sympathies to his widow Ms. Mano Samaranayake and all
his relatives and friends who grieve at his sudden death.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
November 22, 2006
|
