The 51st commemoration ceremony of National hero Philip Gunawardena was held at the BMICH under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (March 29). Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena also participated in the event and the guests were welcomed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Vice-Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekara and Historian, Academic Scholar and International Film Award Winner Dr. Sinharaja Tammita Delgoda delivered keynote addresses at the event. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was also present.
The funeral of veteran musician and chancellor of University of Visual and Performing Arts Emeritus Prof. Sanath Nandasiri took place at General Cemetery, Borella yesterday evening. The remains were taken to the University of Visual and Performing Arts from his house at Embuldeniya at 9. a.m. yesterday. Students and the members of academic staff paid their last respects to Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri who left an indelible mark in the country’s music field. Later the remains were kept at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) where he honed his creative music skills. The remains were then taken to the General Cemetery for cremation. Here his wife veteran singer Malkanthi Nandasiri and daughter Anuradha bid adieu before the cremation. (Pictures by Nissanka Wijeratne)