6 journalism awards for excellence The Nation EYE Sunday July 27, 2008 7

7newsThe Nation EYE Sunday May 28, 2006

WHEN SCRIBES BECAME STARS…A

ll in all, it has not been a great year for Sri Lankan journalism. Our colleagues have

been killed, abducted, abused and assaulted; we have been brought to our knees. Tuesday night, therefore, was a much needed tonic for Sri Lankan scribes, many of whom are literally risking their lives by making the choice to remain a free voice. Amidst traditional drumbeats and dancers, over 25 journalists were honoured and felicitated for their outstanding contributions in different areas in the print and electronic media reporting.

The Nation together with sister paper Rivira was proud to have shone brightest at the 9th Annual Journalism Awards for Excellence, organised by the Sri Lanka Press Institute and The Editors Guild of Sri Lanka; held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on Tuesday, July 22.

With a grand total of seven awards and one merit award, Rivira Media Corporation became the publishing house to receive the largest number of awards presented at last week’s ceremony.

Chief Guests at the event were President’s Counsel R.K.W. Goonesekere and Prof. Savitri Goonesekere.

Best Designed Newspaper - 2007

Wife of Subash Chandrabosh, who was killed in Jaffna, receiving the award

Father of Selwaraja Rajeewarathnam receiving the award

Sanath Balasuriya and Poddala Jayantha receiving the award for defending media freedom

Lifetime Achievement Awards (From left) D.C. Ranatunga, N.R.J. Aaron, Sriya Rathnayake, M.J.M. Zarook and K.T. Sivagurunathan

Subramaniyam Chettiyar award for the Social development reporter of the year - Chandrasiri Ranasinghe (Sunday Lankadeepa)

Best Environmental Reporter of the Year - Saliya Kumara (Lakbima)

Divaina Provincial News Editor Dharmasiri Weliwita receiving the award on behalf of W. Gunasinghe who died in the Kebithigollawa bus bomb

Cartoonist of the Year - R.C. Pradeep Kumara (Tinakural)

Sports Journalist of the Year - Sa’adi Thawfeeq( The Nation)

Reporting Under Special Circumstances - Wilson Gnanadass ( The Nation)

Wasantha Siriwardena receiving the award for the Best Designed Newspaper of the Year on behalf of The Nation team

Feature Writer of the Year (English) - Rathindra Kuruwita (The Nation)

Business Journalist of the Year (English) - Indika Sakalasooriya (The Nation)

The Nation Team

Cartoonist of the Year Merit Award - Asanga Indunil Weerasekara (Rivira)

Young Reporter of the Year - Rasika Lakmal Jayakody (Rivira)

Photojournalist of the Year - Dinuka Liyanawatta (Daily Mirror)

Feature Writer of the Year (Tamil) -Niranjalee Roland (Weerakesari)

Columnist of the Year (Sinhala) - Thimbiriyaga Bandara (Ravaya)

Business Journalist of the Year (Tamil) - A.L Ahamad Nifraz

Feature Writer of the Year (Sinhala) - Sanjeewika Samarathunga (Sunday Lankadeepa)

Columnist of the Year (English) - K.S. Sivakumaran (Island)

The Nation Editor Lalith Allahakoon presenting Sriya Rathnakara with a Lifetime Achievement Award

Rivira Editor Upali Tennakoon presenting M.J.M. Zarook with a Lifetime Achievement Award

M.A Faheem (Weerakesari)

Environmental Reporter of the Year - Ifham Nizam (Island)

Columnist of the Year (English) Balasubramaniyam Pirubhakaran - (Thinakural)

Scoop of the Year - Jayantha Sri Nissanka (Lakbima) Standing L-R: Prasad Chandrasena, Graphics Editor Wasantha Siriwardena and Kavinda Dhammika. Seated L-R: Ranga S. Udugama, Lashan Malaka and Gayan Wimalasiri

Mervyn de Silva Journalist of the Year- Dharisha Bastians (The Nation)