SLPA marks 69th anniversary with tributes to legacy and excellence

The 69th Anniversary and D. F. Kariyakarawana Memorial Journalism Awards of the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) was celebrated on December 17th at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo. 

The event was enriched by a message from Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and in her message, she praised the Sri Lanka Press Association, the nation’s oldest press organization, for its remarkable contributions to uplifting journalists. 

Deputy Health and Media Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Professor Tudor Weerasinghe of the Media Unit at Sripali Campus, University of Colombo, foreign diplomats, and other distinguished guests attended the  event, adding to its prestige.

At the event, 10 veteran journalists of Daya Lankapura, V. Thanabalasingham, J. Sheela Wickramarathna, P. B. Ilangasinghe, Upali Arambewala, N. M. Ameen, Stanley Samarasinghe, S. S. Selvanayagam, Thusitha Malalasekara, and Alexander Balasuriya, were celebrated and honored with generous cash prizes and elegantly framed portraits.

SLPA President Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana delivered the welcome speech and Retired Major Tilak Senanayake expressed gratitude to all attendees with a vote of thanks. Additionally, the Patron of the SLPA, Muditha Kariyakarawana, paid tribute to the late D.F. Kariyakarawana by garlanding his portrait.