Godage Publications founder Sirisumana Godage passes away

Deshabandu Sirisumana Godage, the founder of Godage Publications, has passed away at the age of 90.

He was conferred with the Deshabandu title in 2003 for the service rendered to the society.

Born in May 1936 in Palatuwa village in the Matara District, he was the sixth among nine siblings. He completed his education at Gunaratana Maha Vidyalaya in Palatuwa before moving to Kalutara at around the age of 15 due to financial difficulties faced by his family.

He initially worked as a bookbinder but lost his job unexpectedly. In 1957, he began a small partnership business, operating from a rented shop. During this period, he started binding books obtained from the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda, gradually building his business.

With the guidance of leading Buddhist clergy, including the Chief Incumbent of Maligakanda and Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero, he developed a close association with Buddhism.

As the business expanded, he recruited additional staff and diversified into bookbinding, book sales and supplying books to libraries. In 1970, he relocated the business to Maradana, where the Godage Bookshop continues to operate to this day.

With increasing demand, Godage ventured into publishing, initially printing children’s books before expanding to works by various authors. Over time, the company has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s leading publishing houses.

Sirisumana Godage is regarded as a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s printing and publishing industry. Godage Publications has also set a notable record at the State Literary Awards, winning accolades continuously for 38 years.

At the 2022 State Awards ceremony, the institution received five awards. It is also recognized as a leading publisher in Sri Lanka producing works in all three languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—and has received state recognition for publications in Tamil and English as well.