Media organisations condole over Ajith's death

COLOMBO: Five media organisations in a joint statement over the death of Friday Chief Editor and veteran journalist Ajith Samaranayake states the void created by his loss in the journalism and literary analysis field is too difficult to be filled.

The condolence message was jointly issued by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists' Association, Federation of Media Employees' Trade Union, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance and Free Media Movement.

The message: "Ajith Samaranayake was a prestigious journalist and a progressive cultural activist who never deserted the struggle of active journalism."

"He started his career by joining the Lake House as an English newspaper reporter in the 70s. He has functioned as the chief editor of several newspapers including The Island, and the Sunday Observer where he became conspicuous as a working journalist.

At the time of his demise, he was the Managing Editor of ANCL English publications and the Chief Editor of the English weekly Friday.

"Ajith had his own unique style of writing which he made use of to colour his classical literary analyses and cinema criticism of unparalleled prestige. His expert knowledge in the cinema and cultural affairs industry added glamour to his journalistic career."

He, while making optimum contribution towards the uplift and professional cooperation in journalism, was in the vanguard of the struggles for professional journalism, and never deserted the battle field when it came to question of media reforms and assertion of free media rights."

"Independence and sincerity were the hallmarks of his professional life. As a journalist he was brave and never biased on ethnic grounds. He preserved his identity as a humanist and made an indelible hallmark among the readers as an illustrious journalist."

"The name of Ajith Samaranayake will remain indelible in the annals of journalism in Sri Lanka," the message stated.

The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka regrets to announce the passing away of one of its founder members, Ajith Samaranayake, Managing Editor of English Publications at ANCL and Chief Editor of Friday.

Educated at Trinity College, Kandy, Samaranayake entered journalism in 1975. He enrolled as a cub-reporter with the then evening daily, Ceylon Observer and the Sunday Observer, and later became the Lobby (Parliamentary) correspondent for the two newspapers.

In 1981, he was appointed News Editor of both those newspapers, but later that year, he joined the newly founded Upali Group of Newspapers as its Lobby correspondent and soon became Deputy Features Editor and then Deputy Editor.

He was also a prolific writer on the arts, drama, cinama, literature - both English and Sinhala, on current personalities and contemporary events. From the early days of Upali Newspapers, he was a leader (editorial) writer for the Group's English newspapers enjoying a wide readership. Thereafter, he was appointed Editor of The Sunday Island.

In 1994, he returned to ANCL, the Sunday Observer editor.

He was a founder-member of The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka formed in 1995, and continued to be one of its senior members until his demise.

In 2001, Samaranayake was appointed editor-in-chief of English Publications at ANCL, where he continued to write on subjects and issues close to his heart.

Recently, with the launch of Friday, He assumed the editorship of that newspaper in addition to his other duties.

He was closely associated, and moved freely with a people of different strata and political hues. Well versed in local drama, cinema and theatre, Samaranayake frequently wrote to Sinhala Language newspapers as well.

Only last week, He lost his beloved sister in a murder that had a devastating impact on him. The Editors' Guild conveys its deepest condolences to the family of Samaranayake.