Let’s continue his unfinished mission

Dr. Nandana Karunanayake

The untimely demise of Dr. Nandana Karunanayake, an expert on mass media, on August 13 has left a void in the media in Sri Lanka, which cannot be easily filled. Creating a world-class mass media culture in Sri Lanka through research, publication and training was Nandana’s lifelong ambition.

His commitment towards this goal was remarkable as he worked tirelessly often at the risk of his own health, to ensure that Sri Lanka’s media industry will be recognized globally for its professionalism in terms of content as well as practice.

Towards achieving his vision of a professional mass media tradition, Nandana took the initiative to establish the Sri Lanka Institute of Mass Communication (SLICOM) under Act No. 55 of 1998 and set up the Media and Communication Development Fund (MCDF).

Having conceptualized this project and launched it through the website www.mcdflanka.com, Nandana laid the foundation for building a research-based media culture in Sri Lanka without much fanfare or publicity.

A noteworthy feature of Nandana’s personality is that he never wanted to take personal credit. Thus, he took extra care that his name was not mentioned in the MCDF website or any other communication related to this project.

Nandana was a simple, down-to-earth man, yet he possessed the power of knowledge, morals and honesty, which many well-known people in our society do not have.

Though he was known to people in the centres of power as an expert in mass media, it was unfortunate that none made adequate use of his knowledge and skills for the benefit of Sri Lanka’s media industry.

It is my earnest hope that Nandana’s fellow media professionals and students will take appropriate action to accomplish his unfinished mission and the authorities to protect as well as promote Nandana’s work while helping to educate his two daughters.

~ Prof. Sudatta Ranasinghe