Sunday Times 2
Award winning author passes away
View(s):Award winning author Kala Keerthi Eileen Siriwardena passed away on January 20. She was 87 years old. Mrs. Siriwardena was a prominent educationist and talented author whose novels ‘Delowak Athara’ and ‘Ahasin Polowata’ were even adopted as films.
Mrs. Siriwardena began her school career at St. Thomas College, Matara and then moved to Visakha Vidyalaya. After graduating from university, she began her career as a teacher. She was the principal of Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya from 1978 – 1983, Visakha Vidyalaya from 1983 – 1987 and Buddhist Ladies College from 1995-1997.She is described as having been a principal who refused to stand on ceremony who instead focused on being approachable and interested in the welfare of her students.
Being a writer, Mrs. Siriwardena’s interest in developing the Arts section of the schools she served in is remembered with gratitude. Following her retirement, she offered her services as a consultant to many government institutions including the Education Ministry.
Fluent in both English and Sinhala, Mrs. Siriwardena has written many books, including ‘Kshema Bhumiya’, ‘Balan Harimi Kadathurawa’ and ‘Weralen Sayurata’. She also translated many famous literary works from English to Sinhala, including T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. She was conferred the title ‘Kala Keerthi’ in 1989 for her immense contribution to the field of Arts in Sri Lanka.
Her mortal remains will lie at her residence No. 57, Railway Avenue, Nugegoda. Her funeral will be held at Borella this evening.