Fifty golden years in publishing

E WEERAPPERUMA

He handed over his essay to his Sinhala teacher Kamala Rajapaksa. Neither the teacher nor her pupil ever knew or thought his future was written in the essay. She was impressed and made sure the essay gets published in the school's monthly magazine 'Sinhala Daruwa'.

Dayawansa Jayakody

It encouraged the student to keep on writing more and sharpen his ability. That was his first essay in print. He was thrilled. It was a small step he took in a long journey into the future unknown to him. Yes Remarkable, because that student, who unknowingly took his first step for the future print world, today stands out as a successful book publisher and author.

That student is Dayawansa Jayakody, the reputed book publisher both here and overseas and sole owner of the Dayawansa Jayakody and Company, the well known publishing house at Maradana. He was in his 13 in 1956, a student of Grade VI at Ananda College, Maradana. He obtained support from his schoolteachers and fellow students, some of whom today hold very high positions in society. He continued writing to various newspapers, magazines and periodicals of the day.

Born talented

While engaged in writing he got the idea of creating a magazine, newspaper or a periodical for children born talented but with no way to expose their ability.

The urge to come out with a publication for children was so strong, he finally decided to publish a children's newspaper. Sisumina, claimed to be the first ever children's newspaper, came out as his maiden publication. That publication made him energetic student possibly the first ever young student-publisher of his time. But as his parents feared he might lose interest in studies they discouraged him to such an extent he buried idea under the sand of times with the firm determination to rise like the legendary phoenix.

The desire kept on persisting. The end result was his next publication, a newspaper for children. On February 4, 1961, the 13th Independence Day 'Helabima' saw the light of the day. By then he had completed his GCE O-L and it was the waiting period, a sort of transitional state to enter the Advanced Level classes.

Helabima soon became popular among students. On the 65th Independence day, Helabima would have marked 52nd birthday if it still continued to circulate.

That publication confirmed the industrious mind of a future book publisher.

Successful venture

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resource Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was then the agent for Helabima at Nalanda College. He was successful in his venture. While still a student he could purchase a vehicle and he was using it to travel to school. His father did not like that idea, as most teachers were still traveling by bus.

Many well known authors found their essays in Helabima. Among the contributors were late Premakeethi de Alwis, who stands out as the most talented, A D Ranjith Kumara, Newton Gunasekera, Prof. Jinadasa Danansuriya, Athula Manchanayake, Chandrasena Ranaweera and Siri Kahawala. 'Helabima' was printed at the Divaina press when D B Danapala was Divaina's editor.

Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association president Ranjith Samaranayake presents an award to Dayawansa Jayakody in appreciation of his 50 years’ of service to the book publishing industry. Well-known book publisher Deshabandu Sirisumana Godage also received an award for his services.

"I was then an A-L student. When the press owner Justin Siriwardene was planning to sell it, I decided to buy it. I did not have all the money needed but the owner agreed to accept Rs 5000 first and allow me to pay the balance in installments. The total amount was Rs 30,000.

But this arrangement with him misfired as the then Manager of the press had other arrangements with another party.

It was a big blow to my newspaper publication. I had no option but close down the publication as well. And added to that, I had crashed and failed in the Advanced Level Examination. I was not disheartened with the turn of events. But I was not keen anymore to continue with my higher studies. I was determined to achieve my goal; realize my dream, the dream of wanting to launch deep into the sea of printing industry.

But then I needed money. So I joined my family business for some time and was moving slowly but steadily towards the field of my choice and the sheer hard work and persevering made me what I am today," he said with a sigh of relief.

Then added he immediately:

"I am holding on to this job only until my children come and take over. This is theirs and their future lies here."

People's ways

He did not enter the prestigious universities but the trading world was his university where he learnt ways of the people. Although he was playing the supportive role in joining the family business with his father, his heart was elsewhere.

He recalls the visit of P M Jayatilleke of Dawasa Newspaper. He was a friend of his brother. "The Rividina was serializing his novel 'Ginidel'. Without any seriousness at all, I merely asked him whether I could be the publisher of his novel. Jayatilleke was very supportive and it was the very first book I published as a Dayawansa Jayakody and Company publication. The book was sold in quick time. It was printed by Asoka Batadoowa Arachchi. That being a hit, I decided to continue publishing books."

R R Samarakoon's 'Ge Kurullo' won the State award to the publisher for the first time. Earlier he had published books as Helabima publication. Nimal Ariyawansa Perera's 'Sahithya Sangrahaya' was the first book under Helabima publications. Nimal Sedara, Edward Mallawaarachchi, Kumara Karunarathne.

Dayawansa Jayakody was born in 1943 as the fourth child of Jayakody family. His father Dayananda Jayakody was a much admired furniture dealer and his mother Kaluge Seedin Nona was a housewife.

Dayarathne who is no more among the living was his eldest brother. He has two sisters.

Dayawansa Jayakody married his fiancé Damayathi after a seven-year love affair in 1970. They dated while they were students. Damayanthi was a student of Vishaka Vidyalaya and at the time of their marriage she was an English teacher attached to Rajagala Kanda, Maha Vidyalaya, Ampara. They have three children now married.

Damayanthi has also written several books useful for children to enhance their knowledge in Buddhism. Dayawansa recalls the support he had from his co-workers right from the beginning. He says that whatever success he had achieved, greater part of that goes to his co-workers.

"I am a successful businessman today, because of the support my co-workers extended to me. Some have left me and they are doing well and I am really proud of them.

Dharmadasa Panditharathne, my first co-worker runs his own company, 'Visha Poth Medura' at Yakkala. Athula Jayakody, who worked with me for 13 years, runs his own publishing house right in front of my head office. Aruna Rajamanthri was my one time manager and today he is much sought after lecturer in Accountancy.

Krishantha Senarath runs his own Senarath Publications and he was with me for well over ten years. Susil Hewage, Jagath Dayananda, Nishantha Wanniarchchi, Gayan Suranga, Pamod Pushan of the letter processing unit and all of them are partners of my success. They are like my own children.

Dayawansa Jayakody, who celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a book publisher, is a devout Buddhist who tries to live the the teachings of the Buddha. He heads his own Helabima Bauddha Balawegaya and helps Buddhist temples, Sunday Schools with money and literature. While showing the highest honour to the Buddha, he has a high respect for Ven Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thera and Ven.Gangodawila Soma Thera who had much influence in his life.

Preference to religion

A book publisher has to stand above caste and creed. He is a man of the universe and a member of whole humanity. Others look for him in need and he has to be of serve to anyone coming to him.

I am of the view that although he gives preference to publishing books relating his own religion or philosophy he adheres, it is good to be open and amenable and that quality I have seen in him. That open-mindedness draws many to him whom he has never let down.

I have also seen in him that appreciation of labour. The secret of his success, I guess, is his openness which should be extended to everyone without being bias. May Dayawansa Jayakody, who will celebrate his 70th birthday this year, shortly have that courage and strength to be all that.