President, PM mourn deaths of veteran journalists Sunil Madhava Premathilake and Bandula Padmakumara

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have expressed their condolences on the deaths of senior journalists Sunil Madhava Premathilake and Bandula Padmakumara.

“I extend my deepest condolences on the demise of two senior journalists, Sunil Madhava Premathilake and Bandula Padmakumara, who have steered local journalism beyond tradition in this country,” President Rajapaksa said in his official Facebook page.

“May both of them, who have immensely contributed to the Sri Lankan media field for decades, attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!” he added.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he was deeply saddened to hear the demise of two media giants, Sunil Madhava Premathilaka and Bandula Padmakumara, who had rendered invaluable service to the Sri Lankan media.

“With their departure, the gap in our media field will never be filled. I wish senior journalists Sunil and Bandula Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.”

Veteran journalist Sunil Madhava Premathilaka passed away Wednesday night (23) at the age of 77 after a lengthy illness.

Senior journalist Bandula Padmakumara passed away on Thursday while receiving treatment at a private hospital. Padmakumara who was the former chairman of Lake House was 71 years old at the time of his demise.