Veteran journalist and writer Srimal Abeyewardene passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday in Toronto, Canada. He was a former editorial staffer of the Daily News, with a journalistic career spanning nearly six decades.
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 the 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.
Abeyewardene embarked on his journalism journey in 1963 as a freelance sports reporter for the Daily News. He also served the Independent Newspapers Sun-Davasa Group and was also a correspondent for Moratuwa for several newspapers.
Abeyewardene covered the presidency of President J.R. Jayewardene for the Times of Ceylon. He then re-joined the Daily News and covered the crime and defence rounds throughout the 1980s.
After he migrated to Canada in 1988, Abeyewardene founded The Sri Lanka Reporter in 1994. It swiftly grew to become the largest English Sri Lankan newspaper in North America. 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 ethnic media landscape in Canada and the USA.
A proud alumnus of St. Peter’s College, Colombo, Abeyewardene helped to establish the first dedicated association for its alumni in Ontario.
Last respects can be paid at the Ogden Funeral Home Chapel, 4164 Sheppard Ave. East, Scarborough from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today (6), while the funeral service will be held at the same location at 11 a.m. on Monday. The cremation will take place at 1 p.m. on the same day at 12492, Woodbine Avenue, Gormley, Ontario. (All times Canadian).