Premil Ratnayake reminisces . . . Lake House: Then and now:

An institution for the future

Lake House has changed immeasurably; changed beyond recognition. Beyond recognition to me, for, I have returned to my home of journalism after thirty long years. Thirty years is a long time; I had been drifting aimlessly without my mother, Lake House. Finally I have returned to my mother and my home.

What I see now is a new young, exuberant Lake House, elegantly refurbished, painted anew, decorated like an enchanting Michelangelo fresco - this may be hyperbole, but this is my honest impression. I don't blush at my impulsive impression. I bask in the air-conditioned comfort, a luxury that we in the old Daily News were not fortunate to enjoy.

Yes, Lake House has changed and I am indescribably glad. Lake House belongs to the young generation and the generation will grow. It is an institution for the future. The future lies in the edifice that great nationalist and founder D. R. Wijewardene built beside the historical lake, an imposing even monolithic building which will last for years.

As a young, hard working, extremely talented Deputy Editor pointed out to me the other day, pioneer DRW would have built Lake House at an auspicious and propitious hour, for, it has survived all tribulations, it has withstood all the missiles directed at it; it has absorbed all humiliation, physical damage and malicious calumny. Lake House is now teeming with a great populace. The staff has grown hundred fold. It is a sign of progress. Hundreds of new journalists have joined. I am totally enchanted, because I had a fear that young people were not keen to become journalists. I thought they preferred to play cricket than write.

In the Daily News the young men and women (I prefer to call them boys and girls, for they are very young) display an abiding interest in journalism, they are curious. Of course there is one impediment: the new technology, what they locally call IT. The computer spoils them. I know it is a necessary devil. But I would prefer if they relied more on themselves, to think independently and with self confidence and strive as Hemingway said, "Write one honest, good sentence."

Most of the journalists in the Daily News are the unfortunate victims of the Sinhala Only syndrome. There is no help for it. But the great thing is despite all odds they are striving to learn and write good and better English.

I have taken upon myself the noble (I think) task of helping them. I cannot tutor them, but I can guide them. I am optimistic for they are a good-natured, disciplined, eager lot. Gone are the days when you tried the school master old tactic of reprimanding the young to pick up their basics in the profession. It is a different world now. The young are sensitive and vulnerable. They are not tough necks like we were when we took to journalism.

Lake House then was a veritable tavern. I don't see and have not encountered a single drunk. Smoking is banned and though I rebel against it because of a personal weakness, I welcome it. I don't see many smokers around, especially in the Daily News. Smoking to them seems to be an alien occupation. Unlike in the old riotous days, boys and girls in the CDN Editorial are cultured and civilized. This is not preposterous flattery, but my feeling of an absolute truth.

Luckily for them they have a worldly-wise, extremely affable, understanding, tolerant, father-figure of an Editor, the calm and collected unobtrusive Jayatilleke de Silva.

He is always around, slowly touring all departments, counselling, encouraging the rookies, not a harsh word, intimately chatting and laughing with them when humour was due like medicine. I liked the way he addressed the staff the other day: "Remember I did not hanker after the job; I am prepared to go the moment they want me to. But while I am here I must do an honest job. Remember the company pays you for what you do. Be honest with the company - and you. If you don't work honestly and diligently you are betraying the trust the company has placed in you. In other words you are robbing the company. That is a big crime.

"You live by the resources of the company. All of you must protect it, preserve it. It is your sacred duty. Newspaper work is not a clerical job - to clock in at 8.30 a.m. and go off at 4.30 p.m. It is more than that. It is a great art assignment.

"We must collect stories and write them. We owe a debt to our readers. Also to our newspaper, the Daily News. Let us all get together and produce a fine Daily News - everyday, the word 'Daily' suggests that!"