Dr. Harischandra Wijayatunga: Multifaceted colossal literary genius By Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane “Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance” – Dr. Samuel Johnson Dr. Wijayatunga Mudalige Harischandra Wijayatunga’s life truthfully reflects the authenticity of these lines. He is a revered mythical scholar, author, translator, lexicographer, teacher, lawyer, hela wadampathi, university lecturer and politician who have achieved numerous milestones of triumphs and accomplishments. He is the compiler of the Practical Sinhala Dictionary (1982) and Gunasena Great Sinhala Dictionary, which are considered as the most comprehensive Sinhala-Sinhala dictionaries to date. Besides compiling these voluminous works of over 2000 pages, he also proposed scientific ideas to standardise the Sinhala alphabet. At present he is the leader of Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Party. During the presidential elections of 1994 and 1999, he was the candidate of that party for this high office. Born on ...