Dharman’s “Comrade Lionel” relaunch today

Saturday, 15 February 2025 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Senior Journalist Dharman Wickramaratne’s book, “Comrade Lionel”, based on the JVP’s second insurgency (1986-1990) that caused 60,000 deaths will be launched at the New Town Hall Auditorium, Colombo 7, today at 3 p.m.

This is the true story of Lionel Ranasinghe who during the insurgency assassinated 41 persons including Vijaya Kumaratunga, Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof. Stanley Wijesundara, UNP General Secretary Nandalal Fernando, Director CID Terrence Perera executing the JVP’s strategy to establish socialism through a “national liberation struggle”. The 432-page book includes 86 photos.

Lionel Ranasinghe, born in Kuruwita, was a peanut trader who later became a full-time political activist. Before writing the book the author not only visited houses where Lionel was born and lived and those of his friends but also met the police officers who arrested him and the families of most of his 41 victims. This is Dharman Wickramaratne’s 54th book. Further information could be obtained from

071 2733986