Night of the scribes
View(s):The annual Journalism Awards for Excellence- 2012, held last Tuesday was not only a happy celebration as those who excelled in the
Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year – English: Smriti Daniel of the Sunday Times receiving her award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd, Sujan Wijewardene
field were feted for their achievements but also an occasion when the media fraternity came together in a spirit of fellowship and camaraderie.
In addition to recognising the high achievers in the print media, at the 14th consecutive awards night held last Tuesday at the Mount Lavinia hotel, there was a break from the usual forms of entertainment with a live band as well as live entertainment provided by Sunil Perera of the Gypsies and Ronnie Leitch who with their music and wisecracks made it an especially memorable night.
The Sunday Times won three of the main awards of the evening: The D. R. Wijewardene Award for Earning the Appreciation of Peers and the Public went to Punchi Putha — Ryp Van Winkle; Smriti Daniel won the Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year Award and the newspaper was also adjudged the Best Designed Newspaper of the Year.
D.R. Wijewardene Award for Earning the Appreciation of Peers and the Public: Chandani Kirinde, Assistant Editor of the Sunday Times accepts the award on behalf of ‘Punchi Putha’ - Ryp Van Winkle of the Sunday Times, from President of The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka Siri Ranasinghe
The night began with the Chief Guest, veteran newspaperman Edmund Ranasinghe being ushered into the hall at the Mount Lavinia Hotel by traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers. The President of The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and Editor – Daily Lankadeepa Siri Ranasinghe and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Press Institute Kumar Nadesan, accompanied the chief guest along with representatives of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI).
After the National Anthem, one minute’s silence was observed in memory of media personnel who had passed away in the year gone by.
A brief insight into the evolution of writing and an ode to the might of the written word was shown as a prelude to the award ceremony following which five veteran journalists in the print media who have made a significant contribution over the years to the field were feted with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The Journalism Awards of Excellence was launched in 1999 by The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and is now organised in partnership with the Sri Lanka Press Institute.
| 2012 WinnersMervyn de Silva Journalist of the Year Winner: Dilrukshi Handunnetti of Ceylon TodayBusiness Journalist of the Year – Sinhala Winner: Ruwan Thilina Samarasinghe of Ravaya Merit: Yasewardana Rodrigo Irida Lakbima Business Journalist of the Year – English Business Journalist of the Year – Tamil Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year – Sinhala Upali Wijewardene Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year – Tamil B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Sinhala B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – English B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Tamil Best Environmental Reporter of the Year Subramaniyam Chettiar Social Development Reporter of the Year Sports Journalist of the Year Cartoonist of the Year Photojournalist of the Year Best Designed Newspaper of the Year Scoop of the Year Denzil Peiris Young Reporter of the Year Prof. K. Kailasapathy Award for Reporting under Special Circumstances Investigative Journalist of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award D.R. Wijewardene Award for Earning the Appreciation of Peers and the Public Sepala Gunasena Award for Defending Press Freedom in Sri Lanka |
 Best Designed Newspaper of the Year: The Sunday Times. Aruna Wickramarachchi, Design Manager Wijeya Newspapers receives the award from President of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association Lasantha Ruhunuge |
 Lifetime Achievement Awards: (left to right) :Camillus Perera, S. Piyasena, Dunstan Wickramaratne, chief guest Edmund Ranasinghe, Carol Aloysius and N. Padmaseelan |
 Lighter moments: Sunil Perera and Ronnie Leitch give the audience a bellyful of laughs |
 Mervyn de Silva Journalist of the Year: Dilrukshi Handunnetti of Ceylon Today receiving her award from chief guest Edmund Ranasinghe |
 Winners from the Daily Mirror: Cartoonist of the Year Awantha Artigala, Denzil Peiris Young Reporter of the Year, Lakna Tharindu Paranamanna and Scoop of the Year winner and Sports Journalist of the Year Channaka de Silva |
 Prof. K Kailasapathy Award for Reporting under Special Circumstances: Jeewaka Jayaruk of Lankadeepa receiving his award from Editor of the Daily News Rajpal Abeynayake |
 A touch of the classical: Ananda Dabare and his ensemble |
 Honouring his guru: President of The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and Editor of the Daily Lankadeepa, Siri Ranasinghe offers a traditional greeting to his mentor, chief guest and veteran Editor Edmund Ranasinghe while Chairman of the Sri Lanka Press Institute Kumar Nadesan looks on |
 Photojournalist of the Year: Gemunu Hewa Wellage of Ceylon Today/Mawbima receiving his award from the Convener of the Free Media Movement, Sunil Jayasekera |
 Business Journalist of the Year – Sinhala: Ruwan Thilina Samarasinghe of Ravaya receiving his award from Editor of the Daily FT Nisthar Cassim |
 Business Journalist of the Year – Tamil: Robert Anthony of Virakesari receiving his award from Editor of the Daily FT Nisthar Cassim |
 Business Journalist of the Year – English: Abdul Razak Mohamed Azhar of The Nation receiving his award from Editor of the Daily FT Nisthar Cassim |
 Sepala Gunasena Award for Defending Press Freedom in Sri Lanka: Seetha Ranjanee, receiving her award from the President of The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and Editor of the Daily Lankadeepa Siri Ranasinghe |
 Subramaniyam Chettiar Social Development Reporter of the Year: S.Thushyanthan of Thinakkural receiving his award from Editor of the Daily FT Nisthar Cassim |
 Let the music play: Anthony Surendar and his band in action |
 Investigative Journalist of the Year: Harsha Mangala Sugathadasa of Irida Lakbima receiving her award from Editor of Nawamani and President of the Muslim Media Forum N. M. Ameen |
 B.A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – English: Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema of The Sunday Leader receiving her award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year – Tamil: Logeswaran Thushikaran of Uthayan receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 B.A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Tamil: Abdul Raheem Abdul Fareel of Vidiwelli receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 Upali Wijewardene Feature Writer of the Year – Sinhala: Kasun Amila Pussawela of Ravaya receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Sinhala: Joint Winner C.J. Amarathunga of Irida Lankadeepa receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Sinhala: Joint Winner C.J. Amarathunga of Irida Lankadeepa receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 Guests at the event:Renuka and Salani from the Sri Lanka Press Institute |
 B. A. Siriwardena Columnist of the Year – Sinhala: Joint Winner Wimalanath Weerarathna of Ravaya receiving his award from Director of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Sujan Wijewardene |
 Guests at the event: Editor of the Daily Mirror Champika Liyanaarachchi |
 Environmental Reporter of the Year: P.M.M. Abdul Cader of Metro News receiving his award from a founder member of The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka Mohanlal Piyadasa |
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