‘The Unseen Side of Daya Pathirana Murder’ launch on 21 January

Friday, 16 January 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Senior journalist Dharman Wickremaratne’s latest Sinhala book, ‘The Unseen Side of the Daya Pathirana Murder,’ will be launched on 21 January at 3 p.m. at the National Library and Documentation Services Board Auditorium, Colombo 7.

The book examines the first recorded murder within Sri Lanka’s student movement during the second JVP insurrection, focusing on the killing of Daya Pathirana, who was the leader of the Independent Student Union of the University of Colombo. It documents the murder and the surrounding events in detail, naming individuals involved and placing the incident within its broader political and social context.

The publication consists of 392 pages and includes over 100 photographs. This is Wickremaratne’s fifth book dealing with the second JVP insurrection and his 56th book overall.

The launch ceremony will be chaired by President’s Counsel Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakshe. Speeches will be delivered by Eng. Champika Ranawaka, a former student leader of the University of Moratuwa; Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, a former active member of the Independent Student Union; and Gevindu Kumaratunga, a former student leader of the University of Colombo. The event will be conducted by Montegu Sarathchandra. The program will be open to the general public.

The second JVP insurrection, which lasted from 1986 to 1990, has been the subject of several of Wickremaratne’s earlier works, including Ginnen Upan Gini Pupuru, Satanin Satana, Comrade Lionel, and Premakeerthi Ghathane Sulamula. These publications were well received by both readers and critics.