26th Edition of Journalism Awards for Excellence 2024: Lifetime Achievement Award winners

The 26th Edition of Journalism Awards for Excellence 2024 will be held tomorrow, 20 January in the Empire Ballroom of the Mt. Lavinia Hotel. Below are the award winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024.

Upali Tennakoon

Upali Tennakoon began contributing articles, features, and news to newspapers in the 1970s while he was still a student. During this period, he served as the Imbulgoda correspondent for the ‘Dawasa’ newspaper. Around 1976, he worked as a freelance journalist for the ‘Priyavi’ newspaper (published by the same company), where in addition to providing articles and features, he authored several regular columns.

He received his primary education at Imbulgoda Rajasinghe Maha Vidyalaya. Subsequently, he had the opportunity to pursue higher education as well as journalism-related studies at various local and international institutions.

Later, in 1977, he joined the ‘Dinamina’ newspaper at Lake House as a freelance journalist, and within a few months, he joined the news department as a staff journalist. During his tenure there, he had the opportunity to work with many Lake House publications, including ‘Silumina’ and ‘Tharuni’.

In September 1981, he joined the ‘Divaina’ newspaper of Upali Newspapers Ltd. as a member of its founding team. A few months later, he was appointed as its Provincial News Editor. After serving in various capacities such as News Editor, Deputy Editor, and Co-Editor, he was appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of ‘Divaina’ in 1994.

He later joined the ‘Rivira’ and ‘The Nation’ newspapers. While serving at the ‘Rivira’ newspaper, he was subjected to a brutal assault by thugs on the morning of January 23, 2009, while on his way to work.

He has also published a book titled ‘Paththara Pahaka Thiru Lipi Hathak’ (Seven Columns in Five Newspapers), which features a collection of his newspaper columns, as well as another book titled ‘Puwathpath Kalawa’ (Journalism).

Pushpa Ilangantilleke

Pushpa Ilangantilleke is a senior professional journalist with a career spanning 45 years in Sri Lankan journalism, during which she held several responsible positions in leading newspapers.

Her journalism career began in 1981 as a freelance writer for the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. (Lake House). While contributing to the ‘Janatha’, ‘Yovun Janatha’, and ‘Navayugaya’ publications, she received guidance from veteran journalists such as Edwin Ariyadasa, Dharmasiri Gamage, and Somaweera Senanayake.

In 1982, coinciding with the launch of the ‘Divaina’ newspaper by Upali Newspapers Ltd., she joined the ‘Navaliya’ women’s newspaper. She served Upali Newspapers for twenty-eight years until 2010. During her tenure, she held various positions including Sub-Editor, Assistant Editor, Deputy Editor, and Editor for several Upali publications such as ‘Navaliya’, ‘Bindu’ (children’s), ‘Daily Divaina’, ‘Sunday Divaina’, and the ‘Vathmana’ national news magazine. She rendered a particularly distinguished service as the Editor-in-Chief of the ‘Vathmana’ magazine.

From 2011, she served as the Features Editor of the ‘Rivira’ daily newspaper for five years, and from 2017, she worked as a Sub-Editor and Features Writer for the ‘Sunday Lankadeepa’ for another five years. Subsequently, from 2024, she joined the ‘Monara’ Sunday newspaper, contributing as a Features Writer for one and a half years.

A holder of a Diploma in Journalism from the University of Colombo (1987), she also earned a certificate in Information Technology (2006) from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, she was a certificate holder of the inaugural 1980 batch of the Journalism Diploma at the Sri Jinaratana Vocational Training Education Institute, affiliated with the National Youth Services Council.

Pushpa Ilangantilleke had the opportunity to participate as an observer delegate in the South Asia Women Skill Training program held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1989. She also attended the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) conference in 2003. In 2014, she represented her field at the Freedom of Press and Media Laws conference held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Besides being a poet and songwriter, she is an author of novels, youth and children’s stories, and biographies. She has also showcased her skills as a scriptwriter for radio, television, and short films. To date, Pushpa Ilangantilleke has published 12 various literary works, and her children’s song collection titled ‘Olu Vile Maaluwo’ was nominated for the Best Original Children’s Work at the 2021 State Literary Awards.

R.A.E. Raman

R. A. E. Raman, born in 1942 in Puranavathai, Kandy, is a respected Sri Lankan Tamil literary figure, journalist, editor, and cultural activist. Widely known by his pen names, he has dedicated more than six decades to the development of Tamil literature and media, particularly in the hill country.

He served for 18 years as the Kandy Branch Manager of the Thinakkural newspaper and retired in 2018. Despite his retirement, he remains actively involved in media and literary activities. He currently serves as the President of the People’s Art and Literary Association, and has previously served as Secretary of the Kandy Tamil Association and Secretary of the Kailasapathy Research Centre.

His published books include ‘Iliakkiya Ulagil Ivarhal’ and ‘Idhu Kathai Alla Nijam’. As an editor, he has guided magazines such as Amma and Pooranam, and edited literary newsletters including Kandy Literary News Bulletin and Inni, offering platforms for many writers.

In recognition of his contributions, he has received prestigious awards such as Kalabhushanam, Kala Sudar, Kala Mamani, and several provincial and national literary awards. He was among the 100 artists honoured at a national ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo.

Under his leadership, over 150 books by writers from across Sri Lanka and abroad have been launched in Kandy.

Sa'adi Thawfeeq 

Sa’adi Thawfeeq is a prominent Sri Lankan sports journalist and veteran cricket writer with a career spanning over four decades. He completes 50 years in sports journalism in March 2026.

He has been a staple in Sri Lankan sports media since 1976, notably covering Sri Lanka’s first Test match against England at the P Sara Oval in 1982 and Sri Lanka’s first Test at Lord’s in 1984. He has covered every Test match played in Sri Lanka since then and overall is the only sports journalist in Sri Lanka to cover over 200 Test matches. In a unique feat, Thawfeeq’s first overseas Test was at Lord’s in 1984, his 100th was also at Lord’s in 2006 and his 200th was again at Lord’s in 2024. He has continued to cover ICC World Cup cricket events since 1987.

Thawfeeq was a long-time contributor for ESPNcricinfo, and for the London Daily Telegraph, the London Times, and the Manchester Guardian on Sri Lankan international cricket. He is globally recognised as Sri Lanka’s correspondent for Wisden Cricketers Almanack since 1995. He has also done part time cricket reporting for news agencies Reuters and AFP.

He served Lake House in the Daily News as a sports writer and then as Sports Editor from 1976-2006 and again from 2015-2020 as Group Sports Editor, and The Nation (as Deputy Editor – Sports) 2006-2015. Presently, he serves as a sports writer for Daily FT. 

In appreciation of outstanding services rendered to cricket in Sri Lanka, he was presented the Gold Award by Sri Lanka Cricket.

He won the Sports Journalism of the Year award twice, conducted by The Editor’s Guild of Sri Lanka in 2006 and 2007.

His late father M.M. Thawfeeq was also a long-standing journalist at Lake House serving over 40 years as Sports Editor of the Ceylon Observer and as Deputy Editor of the Daily News.

Alexander Balasuriya

Alexander Balasuriya is a distinguished photojournalist who has been a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan media landscape for several decades. He entered the professional media field in 1977 as a photographer for the ‘Davasa’ newspaper.

Born on December 26, 1950, in Thimbirigasyaya, he received his education at Isipathana College, Colombo. Having developed an interest in photography during his school days, he initially engaged in capturing birthday parties and weddings between 1970 and 1971.

After joining the ‘Davasa’ newspaper in 1977, he served there for approximately three months. Following his departure from the newspaper, he returned to freelance photography, once again focusing on weddings and social celebrations.

During that time, he also operated a photography studio named ‘Alex Photo.’ Additionally, he ran a photo printing agency called ‘Dark Room,’ where he handled the printing work for many prominent press and professional photographers of the era.

In late 1985, Alexander Balasuriya re-entered the field of journalism by joining Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. He served as a photographer for several publications, including Tharunaya, Sirikatha, Irida Lankadeepa, and Sathimada Lankadeepa (which later evolved into Dinapatha Lankadeepa). He retired from Wijeya Newspapers in 2019.

His excellence in the field was recognised when he won the Best Photographer Award at an awards ceremony organised by Givantha Arthasad.