Senior journalist Chandrasena Marasinghe, Deputy Editor of the Mawrata newspaper, has passed away. His funeral will take place in Rambukkana on Tuesday.
Chandrasena Marasinghe embarked on his literary journey with the publication of his first short story, Paladena Pau, in the Janata newspaper on September 5, 1969. He later joined the Lake House Institute as a freelance journalist, contributing to weekly publications such as Thuruni, Budusarana, Mihira, and Subasetha. During this period, he serialized the novel Oba Enathuru in Thuruni and Ahan Averohomi in Budusarana.
His widely acclaimed short story Mage Lowata Sandahiru Epa, initially published in Turuni Sangrahaya, became a pivotal work that cemented his reputation in journalism and literature. In 1982, he joined the Divaina newspaper, where he published the biography of former Post Minister A.N.H. Keerthirathne in weekly installments.
By 1992, he had taken on the role of Assistant Regional News Editor before transitioning to serve as the Media Secretary at the Ministry of Wayamba Development. From 2004 to 2011, while working for the Lakbima newspaper, he spearheaded the Vatha Niyarath feature, exposing thousands of instances of corruption, fraud, and scams in the country.
Marasinghe also contributed to Janasetha and Siyadesa newspapers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and later worked as a sub-editor for the Mawbima newspaper. At the time of his passing, he was serving as Deputy Editor of Mawrata.
Notably, he was the first to introduce Sri Lanka to the Nadi Vakya astrology system. Over his extensive career, he authored numerous short stories across various publications. His short story Rakshayage Biriya, published in the Divaina Sunday edition, was recognized as the best story in a competition organized by Sudharman Wickramaratne’s Environmental Association and was later compiled into a collection.
Marasinghe also won first place in a competition organized by Denagama Siriwardena and Punchihewa with his story Men and Gods, which explored the contrast between the people of the North and South. A short story collection was subsequently published under the same title.
In addition to his literary accomplishments, he published a short story collection titled Jambi, which included the story Ape Aya, later adapted into a teledrama on Independent Television in 1996. He also wrote a research book titled Samanpiccha Muruwa and Nadi Sutra, with plans for further publications.
His work on Nadi Vakya Potha delved into esoteric astrological research, drawing upon ancient wisdom from sages such as Agasthi, Vashishtha, Kaumarabhatta, Nandikeshwara, Vishwamitra, and Kakabhujandara, who lived in Dambadi six to seven thousand years ago.
The accompanying photograph captures the moment when Chandrasena Marasinghe, Deputy Editor of Mawrata Sunday Collection, was honored with the Kalabhushana State Award by the Minister of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senavi. The award, recognizing his remarkable contributions to media, arts, and literature for over five decades, was presented at the 39th Kalabhushana Awards Ceremony, held at Temple Trees on December 12, 2024.
