Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013) – Thank you & Goodbye!
Nelson Mandela is no more. The world is exceptionally united in saluting the iconic fighter for democracy, freedom and equality for all humans.
The man who famously chronicled his ‘long walk to freedom’ also had a ‘long goodbye’ that stretched for several months. So his death did not come as a shock. Nevertheless, his departure provides an opportunity to reflect on what he accomplished — and, more importantly, how.
Edwin Ariyadasa photographed by Nalaka Gunawardene in 1986 during their first interview
Edwin Ariyadasa, who completed 91 years on 3 December 2013, is one of two grand old men of Lankan journalism still practising their craft (the other being D F Kariyakarawana, also 91).
The veteran journalist has been active in his profession for nearly all of Sri Lanka’s post-independence years. During that time, he has played a variety of complementary roles: feature writer, newspaper editor, columnist, radio and TV host, journalist trainer, author and translator among others. He continues to juggle many of these and has no retirement plans.
In October 2012, I filmed a wide ranging interview with Ariyadasa as he was heading to his 90th birthday. Having grown up reading his output in Lankan newspapers in Sinhala and English, and then having collaborated with him in various public media activities for much of my own media career, I was keen to capture his memories and reflections.
It took me over a year to get the long interview edited into three video segments, and also to have it transcribed, but it’s finally done. Groundviews.org has just published it:
Nalaka Gunawardene in conversation with Edwin Ariyadasa
As I note in my introduction:
In this interview, the nonagenarian looks back at journalism and broadcasting in Sri Lanka for over half a century. His reminiscences are significant for several reasons. He recalls a time, only a generation ago, when newspapers produced by highly committed editors and journalists commanded readers’ respect as a trusted source of public information and commentary. Having played a central role in pioneering mass media education and television broadcasting in Sri Lanka, he wonders what went wrong along the way to arrive at the banality and superficiality that dominates much of the Lankan media today despite advanced technologies for production and distribution.
In that sense, this is more than mere nostalgia of an individual or the simple bewilderment of an earlier generation. Introspection from a media guru like Ariyadasa can provide the impetus for much-needed reflection for the media industry which often hesitates to turn the spotlight upon itself.
Text of my ‘When Worlds Collide’ column published in Ceylon Today Sunday broadsheet newspaper on 1 December 2013
I felt a sense of Déjà vu as I spent the past week in the Philippines witnessing how the archipelago nation is struggling with the trail of destruction left by super typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). The aftermath is uncannily similar to what we in Sri Lanka went through following the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004.
The atmospheric disturbance that hit them on 8 November 2013, which was accompanied by tsunami-type sea waves, is their deadliest natural disaster on record. By November 25, the official death toll exceeded 5,600 with another 1,700 missing. Nearly 26,000 people were injured, and over a million homes destroyed or damaged.
In all, more than 11 million Filipinos have been affected in one way or another. The total economic cost, still being assessed, is likely…
Open Minds! 