The first government-registered newspaper in Sri Lanka, “Lakmini Pahana” marks the completion of 160 years since its inception on September 11th.
The newspaper, which was initiated under the leadership of Gunathilaka Athapattu Salpiti Korale Mudaliyar from Galle under the guidance of the Ratmalana Parama Dhamma Chaityaramadhipathi Most Venerable Walane Sri Siddhartha Maha Thera, was headed by a famous scholar in our country during that era, Koggala Pandit.
The price of this four-page newspaper was around six cents which was known as “Panama” according to the prevailing currency of the time. Mr. Jayasuriya Arachchige Hendrick Perera, a resident of Colombo, was the publisher and it was printed in a printing press run at No. 77, Wolfendhal Street, Colombo.
Later, this newspaper was run for many years under the editorship of Mr. Kumarathunga Munidasa. In the past few years, the “Lakmini Pahana” newspaper was run by the Reverend Venerable Dr. Dikwella Tissa Maha Thero, of the Vavurukannala Maha Viharaya in Matara Dikwella, until his demise recently.
It is of historic significance that the “Lakmini Pahana” newspaper, which is an immortal souvenir of the history of journalism in Sri Lanka, is celebrating its 160th Anniversary on the 11th of September.
