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Roshan Pethum Sri Jayakantha Wijerathne has bagged Asia's Journalist Of The Year Award of the Year

Roshan Pethum Sri Jayakantha Wijerathne has bagged Asia's Journalist Of The Year Award of the Year

Ayubowan!

I am Roshan Pethum Sri Jayakantha Wijerathne

First I would like to my heartfelt thanks to the Asia awards powered by RULA Awards. This is my first international award. I am really happy to be nominated for this award. Therefore, I would like to give my congratulations to the award winners from all the countries.

I am currently working as a journalist and sports journalist for the national newspaper 'Ada' published by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd

Wijeya Newspapers is one of the largest and leading media Companies in Sri Lanka. Wijeya Newspapers is one of the oldest media institutions in Sri Lanka and publishes 'Lankadeepa' &, 'Ada' the most popular newspapers in Sri Lanka. It publishes more than 20 of Sri Lanka's leading newspapers such as Lankadeepa, Ada, Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Tamil Mirror, and Deshaya.

My career as a journalist is 15 years and I have also worked for the national newspapers Randiva, Dinamina, and Sathhanda.

I have won the Presidential Award for Best Sports Journalist in my career once (2016) and four consecutive awards (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019) for Best Sports Journalist at the 'Media Excellence Awards' jointly organized by Sri Lanka Press Institute and the Editors Guild.

In addition, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Mass Media at the University of Kelaniya to enhance my professionalism.

I completed my postgraduate degree in 2018 based on the subject of Mass Media and I was able to get a merit pass there. Only five students showed that kind of talent in our batch. I did my postgraduate degree as well as my undergraduate degree in Labor Education from the University of Colombo, one of the leading universities in Sri Lanka. I have also won the first-class pass for the Diploma in Journalism organized by the Department of Journalism, University of Colombo.

I started my career as a freelance journalist and research assistant.

As a Research Assistant at the Research and Development Institute, I have contributed my knowledge to a number of researches on mental illness, non-communicable diseases, and infectious diseases. I also analyzed the data obtained there and contributed to the formulation of human and health-related policies in the country.

I joined the Research and Development Institute in 2006 as a Freelance Journalist and Research Assistant and left in 2011 to start a full-time career in journalism. I joined Randiva National Newspaper in 2011 as a Proofreader and in a short span of four years; I sharpened my media usage to the point where I was promoted to Sub Editor and Chief Sub Editor Newspaper. After working as a feature writer for Dinamina newspaper, in 2015 I will join the national newspaper Ada.

During my media journey so far, I have been able to improve my career as well as my educational background, and it is significant that I am one of the two sports journalists with a postgraduate degree in Sri Lanka.

Many people have supported me in my media life so far and first of all, I would like to thank the staff of wijeya Newspapers, include Chairman Ranjith Wijewardene.

I also see joining the 'Ada' national newspaper as a turning point in my media career.

On this occasion, I would like to give my respects to Kanchana Dassanayake, Editor-in-Chief of 'Ada' National newspaper, Dinesh Manthrivithana, Sports Editor, my fellow journalists Sanjeewa Dharmasena and Oshitha Warakapitiya in the Sports Division, and the entire staff. All this fame is not something I have earned alone, and it is with great pleasure that I present the staff of my newspaper and all the staff of wijeya Newspapers as partners here.

In addition, I would like to remind the entire staff of Randiva, Dinamina, and Sathhanda newspapers. also, I would like to thank the Director of the Institute of Research and Development, Dr. Athula Sumathipala, and the staff who encouraged me to mentor me in the media.

In addition, I would like to thank my wife Thakshila Sewwandi, daughter Shayana Methuni Sri Wijerathne, three brothers, relatives, and all my friends who are a great strength to me. Because without you all, I would not have achieved such a victory.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Asia Awards powered by Rula Awards for giving me this award. 

Thank you.

Roshan Pethum Sri Jayakantha Wijerathne


Roshan Pethum Sri Jayakantha Wijerathne has bagged Asia's Journalist Of The Year Award of the Year

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