It was 188 years ago that the Ceylon Observer was founded. It was later called The Daily Observer and published by Lake House until the daily publication was abandoned.
But the Sunday Observer which commenced its operations in 1928 has continued its journey and celebrated its 94th anniversary on Friday – February 4.
Ninety-four years as the leading English newspaper in Sri Lanka is no easy task, especially where the English-speaking population is a minor personage.
Nevertheless, the Sunday Observer has come a long way from the post-independence era to the modern way web news on smart phones and mini notebooks.
The Observer commenced way back in 1834 during the Colonial rule but the Sunday Observer was launched exactly 20 years before Sri Lanka gained independence. Despite many challenges faced by the newspaper industry worldwide, the Sunday Observer has remained the undisputed market leader since its inception on February 4, 1928. It has produced many illustrious Chief Editors who had maintained the rich traditions of their predecessors.
Gigantic task
Producing a quality and readable newspaper accepted by millions of people around the world is certainly a gigantic task. But the editors, sectional heads and journalists of the Sunday Observer have worked hard during various eras to maintain the identity as well as the quality of the newspaper.
The Sunday Observer has remained the undisputed market leader for over nine decades due to the faith reposed by its widespread readership who have been with us since the first issue saw the light of day on February 4, 1928.
Tower of strength
On this memorable occasion, we salute our valued readers who have reposed faith in the Sunday Observer. They have been a tower of strength behind the success story of the Sunday Observer.
A great newspaper is hard to define. But readers could identify it at the first glance - when they see one.
If being great means having the nation taking note of our articles, having arguments over them, having them reprinted, having them emailed, if being great means holding a paper packed with national, world, provincial and city news as well as sports, features, business, arts, entertainment, together with separate magazines for children (the Junior Observer) and the young adults (Youth Observer).
In short, there is something for everyone, stylishly written, then the Sunday Observer is surely among the top of the list.
For, our journalists unarguably make an impact on the news they write about. As the Sunday Observer celebrates its 94th anniversary, it’s time to have a look at the current editorial team behind the operation.
The Sunday Observer Editorial functions under the direction of Dinesh Weerawansa, the Editor-in-Chief - a career journalist who has served ANCL for the past 35 years.
Improve the quality
Since assuming duties at the Sunday Observer in 2006 after a 20-year stint in the Daily News, he has injected innovative ideas to improve the quality of the newspaper. After a nine-year stint until January 2015, he has once again been the Editor-in-Chief since December, 2019.
It is an honour and prestige to have two of our past chief editors as regular columnists – H.L.D. Mahindapala and Rajpal Abeynayake. Veteran Mahindapala, who headed the Sunday Observer editorial from 1990 to 1994, did a yeoman service to uplift the quality of the newspaper.
It is nice to see Mahindapala, who lived with his wife in Australia thereafter, opting to return to Sri Lanka two years ago. He celebrated his 91st birthday last month.
Veteran lawyer cum journalist Abeynayake functioned as the chief editor in 2005. Despite missing his practice as a lawyer during the early part of his journalistic career, it is good to see him in black cloak of late.
It will be probably for the first and only time to date that two former chief editors are contributing simultaneously as columnists in a newspaper in Sri Lanka.
Career journalist
Senior Associate Editor Dudley Jansz, a veteran in journalism with over a four-decade long service at ANCL is the livewire behind the editorial operations, guiding sub-editors to make a quality product sans mistakes. Jansz spent the bulk of his 40 years plus career at the Daily News before switching on to the Sunday Observer. Jansz also received the special award for long service in journalism.
Experienced journalist Manjula Fernando, after switching over from the Daily News, has been the News Editor since 2020 with support coming from Uditha Kumarasinghe as Deputy News Editor.
Guest writers
The Sunday Observer Business Desk is headed by Deputy Business Editor Lalin Fernandopulle. Adding colour to the Observer Business as guest writers are veteran Kishu Gomes, who had many roles as business tycoon including CEO of Chevron Lanka and business guru Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, who has done a tremendous contribution, especially when he was heading the PIM.
Sports Editor Callistus Davy, who has thrilled hundreds and thousands of readers with his sporty stuff, will add power along with Deputy Sports Editor Allam Ousman, the former Royal Stubbs Shield boxer and Bernard Perera who also handles the Education pages of the Sunday Observer.
Ousman’s Royal College batch mate, Malinda Seneviratne, former Chief Editor of now defunct The Nation, too had been a regular contributor to the features section prior to his elevation as the head of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute.
Both Davy and Ousman have over 35 years’ experience while the third man T.B. Rahaman counts of over four decades of experience from his days at the now defunct The Sun.
The Sunday Observer Features section is headed by Features Editor Samangie Wettimuny with Anuradha Kodagoda as her deputy. Kodagoda also edits the 16-page pullout for the next generation – Youth Observer.
Overseeing
A similar 16-page pullout also comes for the tender ones – the Junior Observer, carefully edited by veteran Dushyanthi Goonetillake. Overseeing the Graphic Department is Isuru Bogahawatte, who is the Design Editor of the Daily News, assisted by Ranga S. Udugama, Manoj Nishantha and Lahiru Samarasinghe.
Well-known graphic executive Mahil Wijesinghe makes an outstanding contribution with his news graphics as well as to develop cartoon drawing of political and other characters. His recent series titled ‘Terrorism in the guise of Liberation’, projecting anniversaries of LTTE atrocities, was well received by the people. J.K.G. Punchihewa, better known as ‘Puncha’ produces the main political cartoon and other illustrations. Mahil’s and Puncha’s creations have been vital ingredients to enrich the SO final outlook.
The sub-editors desk comprises Leon Berenger, Damith Jayasekera, Benzie Roche and Dushyanthi Goonethilake. The Visual Display Terminal section makes every effort in keying hand-written copies of outside contributors and also drop corrections done by the sub-editors. Gaya M. Deegodage and M.M.F. Fahriya are the only two females left at the VDT Department.
Cricketer awards
A.C. de Silva, one of the legendary sports journalists that Sri Lanka has ever produced, headed the SO Sports Desk for many years and received a special award for his contribution at the Observer Schools Cricketer Awards this year. Former Associate Editor (Features) R.S. Karunaratne still continues his connections by providing articles on a regular basis, so does former Features Editor Aditha Dissanayake. Among the other regular contributors are former Daily News Deputy Chief Sub Editor Kathya de Silva Senerath, senior lecturer of University of Colombo (Mathematics) Dr. Thilan Hewage and corporate executive Hemantha Kulatunga.
Some of the Sunday Observer staffers who passed away in recent times include Elmo Rodrigopulle (Associate Editor - Sports), S. Anandakumar (Deputy Editor), Sanjeevi Jayasuriya (Business Editor), Ranil Wijayapala (News Editor), Rajitha Udawatte (Design Editor) and Ranjan Anandappa (Sports Journalist).
The smooth functioning of the editor’s office is also due to much support from the Editor’s Personal Assistant Sharon Palihawadana, assisted by Sampath Manamperi and Ananda Thushara while Ravindra Jayaweera keeps a close tab on staff attendance.
The success of the Sunday Observer is also partly due to the support of its Advertising Department headed by DGM – Marketing Prasanna Jayasundara and include Observer Advertising Manager Sudath Rajasinghe and Senior Manager Roy Jayasinghe.
Circulation targets
Senior DGM (Printing) Kamal Wijesuriya has always gone that extra mile to give more lead-time to the editorial while DGM Sales, Sisira Nath Adikari makes every effort with his circulation targets. Acting General Manager Sumith Kotelawala, Company Secretary H.W.S. Prasanga, Senior DGM (Finance) Virajith Bois, Senior, Senior DGM (Establishment) Narada Sumanaratne and DGM - Corporate Affairs) Chandana Bandara too have played a helping hand to keep the Sunday Observer in good shape.
Business Development Consultant, Waruna Mallawaarachchi, Head of HR, Amitha Kalthilatha and Manager Channel Chanaka Liyanage also play important roles. Liyanage has done a praiseworthy role in organising the Observer SLT Mobitel Schools Cricketers of the Year contest.
The Sunday Observer, over the years, has produced illustrious journalists. Though the list would be a long one to spell out, among the distinguished journalists the Sunday Observer produced include the Sri Lankan Editors from H. A. J. Hulugalle to Ajith Samaranayake H. A. J. Hulugalle (1930-1931), H. D. Jansz (1931-1952), Tarzie Vittachchi (1953-1961), Denzil Peiris (1961-1970), Ernest Corea (1970-1973), Lionel Fernando (1973-1977), Harold Peiris (1977-1988), Leslie Dahanayake (1988-1990) and H. L. D. Mahindapala (1990-1994). In addition those who were directly associated with the Sunday Observer include the late Ajith Samaranayake, Lakshman Gunasekara, late Jayatillake de Silva and Rajpal Abeynayake.
Pramod de Silva, the current editor of the Daily News, too had been at the Sunday Observer as Senior Associate Editor and still continues his weekly columns. Among the Daily News staffers who contribute to the Sunday Observer are Associate Editors Shirajiv Sirimane and Nadira Gunatillake.
Despite the current tradition of high quality editorial and features now appearing in the Sunday Observer, the paper started as The Observer and Commercial Advertiser on February 4, 1834.
British editors
Prior to the Sri Lankan Editors-in-Chief, Britons served as Editors of The Observer. Among them were E. J. Darley who was in charge when the paper was launched, George Winter, Dr. Christopher Elliott, A. M. Ferguson (1859), John Ferguson (1867), R. H. Ferguson, Charles Tower, C. Drieberg (1923-1924), P. B. Marshall and J. D. Quirk.
One of the significant aspects of the English press in Sri Lanka was that it was read by the academia, artistes, and political elite, the members of the Judiciary, business tycoons and the English educated civil servants and teachers.
The Sunday Observer is the centre of attraction. The other important specialised areas that attract readers across the social strata are sports and finance and political commentaries.
Last but not the least we must appreciate the untiring efforts taken by the Chairman of Lake House W. Dayaratne PC and the Board of Directors – Dharma Sri Kariyawasam (Editorial), Rakhitha Abeygunawardhana (Legal and Administration), Janaka Ranathunga (Finance) and Chanishka G. Witharana (Operations). It not for their brave decisions, the Sunday Observer and Lake House would not have survived in recent times, especially the Covid-19 era.
Although a host of rival publications emerged into the newspaper arena over the years, the Sunday Observer retains it undisputed position as the most widely read English weekly in Sri Lanka and will proudly march towards its centenary celebrations in six years - in 2028.
