Madawala Rathnayake's Intimate Neighbour, Prof. Samantha Herath

Madawala S. Rathnayake was a preceding artist who marked an identical style in the field of Sinhalese literature. Not only as a poet, a lyricist, a novelist, a short story writer, a translator and a critic, but also as a journalist and a broadcaster, his eminent literary service has pervaded in many sectors, enriching the literary values of his time. When discussing about Madawala S. Rathnayake, Prof. Samantha Herath is a scholar we can never forget.

Why he is so unforgettable, depends on two reasons basically. The first reason is that he is a scholar who has displayed a great interest in bringing the literary work of Madawala Rathnayake into limelight. The second reason is that he is also a product of the same school, Humbuluwa Central College - Alawwa, that laid the foundations of primary education to Madawala S. Rathnayake.

Prof. Samantha Herath is the editor of two collections of reviews by outstanding literary critics, on Madawala Rathnayake’s literary creations.

• Madawala Rathnayake Sahithya Nirmana Vimarshna - 1997

(Review on literary creations of Madawala Rathnayake)

• Mindada Hee Sara - Madawala Rathnayake Sahithya Nirmana Darpana - 2004

(Reflection on literary creations of Madawala Rathnayake)

These critical reflections and reviews can be regarded as a major gateway that make us rethink of Madawala S. Rathnayake’s great literary service. And also Prof. Samantha Herath has contributed many a review to the mass media on the subject and taken the initiative in organizing commemorative orations on behalf of Madawala S. Rathnayake. Click here to watch a documentary on Madawala: උත්තරීතර.

In 2017, having studied Madawala Rathnayake’s life and his literary work, I was also able to publish a book by the name of “Sonduru Gemi Liviseriya: Madawala S. Rathnayake” (සොඳු ගැමි ලිවිසැරිය). There Prof. Samantha Herath was a great inspiration for me to make it a success.

Samantha Herath’s parents are living at Galwarama in Alawwa. His father was a government officer and his mother was a teacher at Humbuluwa Maha Vidyalaya. Samantha Herath excelled at the grade 5 scholarship examination and sought admission to Royal College, Colombo, In 1977. He had to face another examination conducted by Royal College. There, he came first in the island, bringing pride to his primary school; Humbuluwa Maha Vidyalaya. Click here to watch: මහාචාර්ය යෞවනය.

He had his University education at the University of Colombo and due to his brilliant performance, he was offered a lecturer post at the University of Sri Jayawaradhenapura. He qualified himself further in Mass Communication and Journalism during this period. In 2002, he joined with the University of Colombo. He is not only a lecturer but also he is an author, a researcher, a poet and a lyricist. Presently, he is the head of the department of Mass Communication, University of Colombo. Verily, his boundless duty as a scholar in the sphere of literature would be an indelible memory in the hearts of the intellectuals and connoisseurs.

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