Hema Nalin Karunaratne

Hema Nalin Karunaratne
හේමනලීන් කරුණාරත්න
Born Hema Nalin Karunaratne
(1962-08-27)27 August 1962
Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
Died 5 June 2018(2018-06-05) (aged 55)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education Royal College, Colombo
Occupation Journalist, media director, TV presenter, scriptwriter, researcher, program production manager
Years active 1983–2018

Hema Nalin Karunaratne, (Sinhalese: හේම නලීන් කරුණාරත්න; 27 August 1962 – 5 June 2018), was a Sri Lankan journalist and television presenter. He is considered an iconic figure of Sri Lankan media,[1] having inspired many generations of media personalities.[2] Across his career Karunaratne worked in numerous areas, including direction, script writing, research, program production management, television presentation, and as a compere. He was also the owner of the Heritage TV channel on Dialog TV.[3][4]

Career

Karunaratne received his primary education at St. Mary's College, Mathugama[5] and completed secondary education from Royal College, Colombo.[2]

From a young age, Karunaratne was passionate about working in television. His exposure began early through his aunt on his mother's side, Praba Ranatunge, the first female newsreader for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.[5] His first job in the industry began on February 1st, 1983, when he started working at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a Trainee Producer.[2] A bomb blast provided him with his first news report in July of 1983.[5]

As a compere, Karunaratne's first program was Sandesha Kavya and later the children's programme Mang Podi Kale. After working for 17 years at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, he joined Swarnavahini in June 2000 as a creative director. Karunaratne was responsible for the creation of the Swarnavahini motto, "Sri Lanka's Pride" (Sri Lankiya Abimanaya). He left Swarnavahini in 2008 in order to join the documentary broadcaster Heritage TV where he worked on programs covering culture and nature.[6]

Other notable work included hosting the popular programme 9.05 as well as Hathata Hithata Hadawathata, Hapan Padura, Mang Podi Kale, Prathiba, Jeewithaya Lassanai teledrama, Sundara Senasurada, Hansa Wila, Maha Sinhale Wansa Kathawa, Dutu Nodutu, Perawadana, and Loke Wate.[5][7]

Personal life

Karunaratne was born on August 27, 1962 in Wadduwa, Colombo. His father, G.B.C. Karunaratne, was an electrical engineer and his mother, E.L. Perera, was a teacher. He also had an older brother, Jeewath Karunaratne. Hema Nalin Karunaratne was married to Dr. Iresha Karunaratne, a sociologist.[2][8] His daughters currently attend school in Colombo.

Death

On June 5, 2018, Karunaratne died at age 54 from a cerebral haemorrhage at his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[9] His body was found the next day and the cause was later determined to be an intra-ventricular hemorrhage due to ruptured blood vessels in the brain.[10] His funeral was held at the Borella General Cemetery on June 8, 2018.[11]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "TV personality Hema Nalin Karunaratne found dead". Daily News. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Veteran journalist Hema Nalin Karunaratne dies aged 56". News First. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "Popular television presenter Hema Nalin Karunaratne passed away". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Tackling piracy with new streaming channel for local shows". Daily FT. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Presenter who touched many hearts". Daily News. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Features | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  7. ↑ "'9.05' on Swarnavahini with Nalin". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  8. ↑ Karunaratne, Iresha. Teaching of English: A Sociological Study.
  9. ↑ "Hema Nalin Karunaratne's cause of death revealed". Ada Derana. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  10. ↑ "Hema Nalin Karunaratne's cause of death revealed". Ada Derana. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Hema Nalin silent orever". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
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