Daily News Online
 

Saturday, 7 August 2010

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | SUPPLEMENTS  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Indelible Professor in Sinhala and Sociology

Prof Nandasena Rathnapala's third death anniversary today:

Professor Nandasena Rathnapala was born at Kurukude, a remote village in Bandarawela. He will be remembered, as a scholar who has rendered a great service in the fields of Sinhala literature, Sociology, Folklore, Anthropology and Criminology.

Rathnapala had his primary education at Kurukude Primary School. He was selected to St. John College, Panadura after he passed the Year Five Scholarship examination.


Professor Nandasena Rathnapala

He was later admitted to Royal College, Colombo. At that time, Norman Weerasooriya, Singaruwele and Lalith Athulathmudali were his contemporaries.

In 1955, young Rathnapala entered Peradeniya University. There, he showed his inborn talents. He became the Buddhist Brotherhood Association Chairman. In addition, Rathnapala became very popular among students, as the Leader of Sinhala Bhasha Peramuna. Therefore, he was recognized, as the hero of Sinhala Bhasha. In the first year, he won the Best Speaker's prize and the Best Short Story writer's prize at Peradeniya University.

In 1959, Rathnapala obtained his Special Degree with a Second-Class Upper Division. Therefore, he was recruited to Peradeniya University, as a Sinhala Lecturer.

In 1960, he joined the Vidyodaya University, as a permanent lecturer.

Rathnapala displayed his talents in various fields. He was a poet, short-story writer, novelist, literary critic, sociologist and a criminologist. He wrote three collections of poetry. They are Maranin Eha Anthrawai and Kalawane Sita Liyoo Kawi. However, Kalawane Sita Liyoo Kawi has not been published yet. He had written three short-story collections named Noliyoo Potha, Ridee Po-oru and Aids Saha Thawath Katha. Noliyoo Potha was published, when he was a University student. However, this collection shows his maturation. In addition, he had composed several novels Nodanimi Kage Dosa was his first novel.

His other fictions were Uda Hiru, Ahasa Kada Wettei, Jaya Sri Emathithumani, Simon Bas Saha Birindewaru and Evilena Gini Del.

Rathnapala was recognized among scholars and readers in the decades of 1960, as a revolutionary critic. His literary criticisms were popular among many readers.

They loved his revolutionary opinions and new ideas.

In 1972, this young lecturer was attached to Sociology and Anthropology Section in the University. Thereafter, he was famous as a recognized sociologist all over the island. He had composed many books in related to the field of sociology too. In 1976, he did researches on beggars in Sri Lanka.

He wrote the book Beggars in Sri Lanka after tiring research. This book was famous internationally. This scholar laid the foundation to start a local sociology. He introduced Buddhist Sociology into our country.

Professor Rathnapala had written nearly 120 books, when his death occurred. He won four doctorates. Sudden death of Professor is an irreparable loss to the nation.

His value will be felt tomorrow than today.

- Rohana Wansatilaka

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL)
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2010 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor