Veteran journalist Srimal Abeyewardene passes away
Srimal launched The Sri Lanka Reporter in 1994 at Canada Sri Lanka New Year celebrations.
Distinguished Sri Lankan journalist, Srimal Abeyewardene, passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday in Toronto, Canada. He leaves behind a legacy that spans five decades in the media industry and has significantly impacted the Sri Lankan community in Canada and beyond.
Over the course of his long career, Mr. Abeyewardene established himself as an eminent figure in journalism, and a champion for multi-ethnic communities. His landmark achievement was the founding of The Sri Lanka Reporter, an award-winning English newspaper that catered to the Sri Lankan community in Canada. His vision and commitment to bridge gaps among multi-ethnic Sri Lankan communities led to the success of this publication, making it one of the most lauded successes in Canadian ethnic media.
Mr. Abeyewardene embarked on his journalism journey in 1963 as a freelance sports reporter for the Ceylon Daily News. A year later, in 1964, he served as a clerk in the circulation department of the Independent Newspapers Sun-Davasa Group, while simultaneously fulfilling his duties as a correspondent for Moratuwa.
As his career progressed, Mr. Abeyewardene covered the tenure of President J.R. Jayawardene for the Times of Ceylon. His final journalistic endeavor in Sri Lanka saw him covering the crime and defense for the Daily News throughout the tumultuous 1980s, a period regarded as one of the most volatile in Sri Lanka’s history.
After he migrated to Canada in 1988, Mr. Abeyewardene founded The Sri Lanka Reporter in 1994. It swiftly grew to become the largest English Sri Lankan newspaper in North America, further testament to his visionary leadership. Additionally, he held the prestigious position of director at The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, contributing his expertise and insight to a broader media landscape.
As a proud alumnus of St. Peter’s College, Mr. Abeyewardene’s commitment to his alma mater was evident. In 2013, he took a pioneering step by helping establish the first dedicated association for alumni in Ontario. His passing will be felt by many, but his indelible contributions to journalism and his passion for uniting diverse communities will continue to resonate and inspire.
Srimal Abeyewardene was recognized by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a 2010 National Ethnic Press and Media Council event.
Obituary and Funeral Service
ABEYEWARDENE – SRIMAL CHRISTOPHER (Editor, The Sri Lanka Reporter – Canada & former Daily News / Sunday Observer / Daily Mirror / Sunday Times – Journalist) – Dearly beloved son of late Felix Abeyewardene and late Thelma Violet Colombage Abeyewardene, loving husband of Malkanthie Abeyewardene (Canada), loving father of Kshanika Abeyewardene (Sri Lanka), Mahesh Felix Christopher Abeyewardene (Canada), father-in-law of Renil Fernando (Sri Lanka), Mahisha Thirunavukarasu Abeyewardene (Canada), beloved brother of Rohini Fernando (Canada), Senaka Colombage (Sri Lanka), late Dilrukshi Rajapakse, Ayomi Nanayakkara (Canada), brother-in-law of Shirley Fernando (Canada), Ranjith Nanayakkara (Canada), Preethi Silva, and late Nimal Rajapakse, loving grand-father of Manesha Fernando (Australia), Athila Fernando (Australia) and Lakshman Christopher Abeyewardene (Canada). Visitation will be held at Ogden Funeral Home – Chapel in Toronto, Canada on Sunday August 6th from 3 PM to 7 PM, funeral service will be held at the funeral home Chapel on Monday August 7th at 11 am followed by cremation at Highland Hills Crematorium. “May his soul Rest in Peace” The Sri Lanka Reporter, lankareporter@gmail.com
