Free Hold

A small business in the field of publication of books, sprang up as a small sapling in 1984. No one who saw it, may never have thought that it would grow into a giant tree ever. But by now, the sapling has already acquired a massive size in the field. The great tree I refer to is the reputed ‘Wasana Publishing House’ and the persevering person who nurtured it was, Prakasha Mudalige Nihal Ranjith Kumara.

Managing Director Nihal Ranjith Kumara

Director Charitha Madumali

Manager Asanka Jayasingha

He says he would never forget the steps he took since 1984 along the path he moved and, how he gained entrance to the field of publishing books. He speaks about the journey he made thus:

“From the time I studied at Dhammissara Maha Vidyalaya, Naththandiya. I showed special talents both in writing and drawing. Those days I used to produce illustrated stories in art books, and let my classmates enjoy them.

The satisfaction I derived thus was immense. Once the teacher who taught us literature read a story written by me summoned all the classmates together and praised my work and said that it was an excellent creation. Further he asked me to make a copy of it and present it to the school library to be used as a library book. In the year of 1973 where there was a little progress in the printing business, I copied the story in an exercise book, drew an illustration for the cover, and presented it to the library, without having even the faintest idea that it would be the field I would venture in future. However I recall with great pleasure even today, the short story book titled ‘Hingannage Pina’ diverted me spontaneously to the business of publication of books.”

“During the period 1975-76, after leaving school, I wrote stories, illustrated them and visited many firms who published illustrated story books then, and pleaded them to have my stories published. As there were no television channels then, illustrated story books and the papers that carried such stories were very popular among the young and the old equally well, as a recreational medium. Yet even in such a period no one gave me an opportunity to have my hopes fulfilled. I made up my mind to be an ‘unshaken man’ and made a strong determination that I would publish an illustrated story book of my own one day.”

“Meanwhile, in 1976 I met Mr. A. Lionel Silva who was publishing song books then, under the title ‘Malpiyali’. As a result, the story ‘Bruce Lee’ written and illustrated by me, was published by him.

Subsequently in 1977, I was entrusted with all the editing, printing and distributing of song books under the title ‘Malpiyali’. The inborn interest I had in the field of publishing bloomed thus, and with not much effort, I entered the way that led towards the field I loved most.”

“After few years of such writing activities, I registered a business under the name, ‘Wasana Publications’ in 1984, and led a very frugal life and thus saved Rs. 5000/- which I spent to publish a song book of my own.”
“Later, by the year 1986 I published few books for people interested in English education and that was to help them to learn English in Sinhala. A little later, I started to publish other educational books. During the period I lived in a small rented house and owned only a motor cycle and had not even a single employee. I had my books printed at other printing houses and went ahead with the distributing and the sale of books all alone.”

“I had to face a lot of obstacles, problems, and financial difficulties, but I devoted numerous sleepless nights and many hours of the day, to promote my business of publication of books.”

“By now, the road I followed has led me to an immense success. I own all aspects. About 70 employees serve in my establishment and the name Wasana Books is so well known both to teachers and school children, and it is very rare now to find anyone who hasn’t heard of the reputed name.”

“My daughter Charitha Madumali and her husband Asanka Jayasingha extend their fullest co-operation towards my business and it has become a great encouragement to me.”

“The Wasana Publishing House has produced by now more than one thousand five hundred categories of school books required by children from pre-school level up to Advanced Level, including stories and novels, study aids to all subjects and supplementary readers etc. Story books for children are available in all the three media Sinhala, Tamil and English at my publishing house.”

“In the selection of writers my establishment picks only the teachers and authors who are competent and proficient in the relevant field and subjects. Further in making payment to writers the establishment is very fair and reasonable and the payments are made in time. In publishing a book a great care is taken regarding the accuracy of data and facts and spelling etc. All our books are printed using quality papers and they are sent to the market with an immaculate finish. Yet these books are offered at very reasonable prices and the book sellers too receive a very fair commission.”

“Valuable books for the children of the country at a reasonable price” is the theme adopted by me as the proprietor of the publishing house and I never give priority to amassing money somehow. I always strive to render a good service, and to present the readers with best low-priced books. As a result of this, our publishing house has gained popularity among the readers throughout the island.”

He expects to pave the way to enter the international market in future and he thinks that it could be most appropriately called a great library that provides knowledge to the people worldwide.

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