Final rites of veteran broadcaster, artist Nirmala de Alwis today

The final rites of veteran broadcaster, writer, and lyricist Nirmala de Alwis will be held today at Peradeniya. 

She passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 70, while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kandy.

She was the wife of the late popular lyricist Premakeerthi de Alwis and the mother of Poorna Sampath de Alwis.

Nirmala de Alwis served for many years at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) as a presenter and producer. She produced and presented religious, educational, children’s, and news programmes such as Sisu Nuwanasa, Damma Chintha, Sevanali, Darma Sakachcha, Pooja Boomi, Baudda Praurthi (Buddhist News), Subarathi, Shilpa Madulu Yata, and Sarana Vivarana. She also wrote scripts for radio dramas including Shishtacharaya Galabasi, Yosodara, and Sambawana.

She was also a talented lyricist, writing songs for veteran artists such as Victor Rathnayaka, Edward Jayakodi, Karunarathna Divulgane, and Deepika Priyadarshani.

In addition, she was a skilled scriptwriter. Some of her works include the short film ‘Sanka’ ; the script for the children's award ceremony ‘Wasanthayata Muthu Ahurak’, and children’s stage dramas like ‘Sellamgei Aththa Lamai’and ‘Upandine Adai Mage’. She also wrote scripts for Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation’s children’s programmes such as ‘Muthun Mittho’ and others.

Beyond SLBC, she contributed to several radio stations, including ‘Granthawalokana’ on Rangiri FM and ‘Shri Rata’ on another channel.

Nirmala de Alwis was also active in print media, writing for newspapers and magazines such as Aruna, Mihira, Vidusarana, Budusarana, and Lakbima.

She published several books, including ‘Punchi Pahe Man’, ‘Pooja Boomi’, and the well-known biography ‘Premakeerthi’, written in memory of her husband.