It has been two years since the death of Priyath Liyanage, the first Sri Lankan editor of BBC Sandeshaya, who left an indelible mark on the Sri Lankan media industry.
Priyath, who led the BBC Sinhala Service fearlessly facing racist movements in one of the most challenging chapters of Sri Lankan history, fulfilled his media mission despite threats to his life.
Although he was a close friend of President Premadasa’s, he was not even allowed to attend his father’s funeral during Premadasa’s regime, since Sri Lanka was “banned” for him during Rajapaksa’s regime due to his bold media mission.
“Sandeshaya”, which was once taken off the radio by the Chandrika regime, was re-entered the radio with the approval of the then Prime Minister Ranil.
Even though his colleague from Royal College, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, supported the Sandeshaya in those days – the current period of time has become an era in which not only peaceful fighters but also policewomen are being brutalised, hence the absence of the Sandeshaya and our beloved friend Priyath is being felt and missed more than ever today.
