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Percy Gunasena former chairman of Independent Newspapers passes away
View(s):Former Chairman of Independent Newspapers Ltd., M.D. Percy Gunasena passed away this week and the funeral was held at the General Cemetery, Colombo on Wednesday.
He was 84. Mr. Gunasena took over the reins of the newspaper publishing house known as the DAVASA Group following its reopening, after emergency regulations under which it was sealed in 1974 by Sirima Bandaranaike’s Government were lifted in 1977 to hold that year’s general election.
He took over the chairmanship from his elder brother, M.D. Sepala Gunasena who was presented the prestigious Lord Astor Award by the Commonwealth Press Union for standing up to the then Government. The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka presents an annual award to those defending press freedom in Sri Lanka, in Mr. Sepala Gunasena’s memory. Both Sepala and Percy were the children of M.D. Gunasena, the well-known book publisher and one of the pioneer bookshop owners in the country.
The DAVASA Group at one time had 17 publications in all three languages. The newspapers included the Davasa, Riviresa, Sun, Weekend, Dinapathi and Chinthamani. The Group closed down in 1990.
Mr. Percy Gunasena had his early education at St. Thomas’s College, Gurutalawa and Bandarawela and later at S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia. A keen sportsman, he won boxing and hockey colours at S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. He was awarded the prestigious Victoria Gold Medal for three consecutive years from 1951-53 and was the first Buddhist to be head prefect of this reputed anglican school for two consecutive years in 1952 and 1953.
Later, he proceeded to the United Kingdom to study medicine at Leeds University but following the death of his father, Mr. Gunasena returned to Sri Lanka without completing his MBBS to help run his father’s business. An avid Rotarian, Mr. Gunasena was presented with an award for 50 years of service by the Rotary Club of Colombo North on May 26. The award was accepted by his son, Steven who had come down from Paris where he works. Mr. Gunasena passed away on May 29.
The late Mr. Gunasena also leaves behind his daughter Karen. His wife Christine predeceased him in 2006.