It is with profound grief and regret that the Sunday Observer records the death of one of Sri Lanka’s most senior journalists Sarath Malalasekera.
Sarath was one of the most senior journalists who covered the Courts, predominantly the Supreme Court and also the Police.
Sarath who was suffering from a bout of pneumonia, was 80 years at the time of his death. Over 50 of those 80 years were spent in the media, mostly in the Daily News with a brief stint at the now defunct Nation on Sunday.
However, albeit his stint at Lake House being with the Daily News, he also filed legal stories and Police stories to the Sunday Observer as well.
His foray into Legal Journalism was mentored by his father Chandradasa, himself a Court Mudaliyar.
Sarath was a journalist par excellence. He was very particular of the A in journalism which was accuracy.
He earned the highest respect of both the judiciary and the defence establishments for his meticulous reporting. His stories found their way to the repositories of the Judiciary, Law and Order establishments and the Academia.
His wife Premawathi predeceased him five years ago in 2013 and he leaves his son Saman ( Senior Graphics Editor of Lake House) and daughters Priyanka and Priyani. He was a loyal, warm and caring friend.
Sarath was a different type of human being. A product of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, he was a devout Buddhist. He was a lifelong pure vegetarian and visited Buddhist monasteries. He engaged in deep meditation.
In retrospect, Sarath’s was a voice which was not heard loudly, but was one which was felt powerfully.
Goodbye, my friend until we meet again our Sansaric Journeys. If I may add... “It was indeed redeeming to know that there were a few gentlemen, still left!
His remains lie at the Jayaratne Funeral Parlour today and the cremation will take place at 4 pm at the Buddhist Section, Kanatte General Cemetery.
Ravi Ladduwahetty