Hema Nalin Karunaratne

Hema Nalin Karunaratne (Sinhala: හේම නලීන් කරුණාරත්න; 27 August 1962 – 5 June 2018) was a Sri Lankan journalist and television presenter. He is considered as 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]

Hema Nalin Karunaratne
හේමනලීන් කරුණාරත්න
Born
Hema Nalin Karunaratne

(1962-08-27)27 August 1962
Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
Died5 June 2018(2018-06-05) (aged 55)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationRoyal College, Colombo
OccupationJournalist, media director, TV presenter, scriptwriter, researcher, program production manager
Years active1983–2018

Career

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

From a young age, Karunaratne was passionate about working in television. He was exposed to television work by his aunt on his mother's side, Praba Ranatunge, who was the first female newsreader for the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.[5] His first job in the industry began on 1 February 1983, when he started working at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a trainee producer.[2] In July 1983, Karunaratne gave his first news report about a bomb blast.[5]

As a compere, Karunaratne first worked on Sandesha Kavya and then 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 to join the documentary broadcaster Heritage TV. At Heritage TV, Karunaratne worked on programs covering culture and nature.[6]

Karunaratne hosted notable programmes like 9.05, 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 27 August 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. Karunaratne was married to Iresha Karunaratne, a sociologist.[2][8] His daughters attend school in Colombo.

Death

On 5 June 2018, Karunaratne died at age 55 from a cerebral haemorrhage. He died at his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[9] His body was found the next day and the cause of death was 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 8 June 2018.[11]

Awards

References
  1. "TV personality Hema Nalin Karunaratne found dead". Daily News. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  2. "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. "Presenter who touched many hearts". Daily News. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. "Features Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  7. "'9.05' on Swarnavahini with Nalin". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  8. Karunaratne, Iresha (2009). Teaching of English: A Sociological Study. ISBN 9788131304600.
  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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