Veteran lyricist Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe passes away

February 27, 2016 03:02 pm

Veteran lyricist and senior journalist Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe has passed away at the age of 75.

He passed away at the Colombo National Hospital today (27) while receiving treatment, according to family members.

Ranasinghe was born in Kurunegala and studied at St. John’s College after moving to Nugegoda. He gave up studies and wrote poetry and short stories to the Children’s Page in the Silumina and Peramuna newspapers.

He joined the Dinamina newspaper in 1965 as a staff reporter and then held the positions of sub editor, local news editor, additional chief sub editor, chief sub editor and features editor. During this period he was appointed the editor of Navayugaya as well.

He has written several songs and has won the President’s Award for Best Song Writer of the Year on three occasions and several other prestigious awards, including the State Literary Award.

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