Dr. Harischandra Wijayathunga passes away
Dr. Harischandra Wijayatunga, a distinguished scholar, lexicographer, author, translator, teacher, lawyer, and politician, passed away yesterday (Nov. 13) at the age of 94.
He also contested the presidential elections in 1994 and 1999 as the leader of the ‘Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Party’.
Born on 25 October 1931 in Minuwangoda, Gampaha, he was the fourth child of Dr. M.D.B. Wijayatunga and Amarawathi Jayasinghe.
He completed his secondary education at Nalanda College, Colombo, where he was guided by P. de S. Kularatne, L.H. Mettananda and Professor Gunapala Malalasekera.
His contemporary at Nalanda College was Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara.
Though academically talented in medical sciences, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Colombo, reflecting his passion for writing and literature.
After graduation, he worked as a chemistry teacher of Dharmaraja College, Kandy.
Dr. Wijayatunga began his political journey as a university student and founded and led the ‘Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Party’ in 1990.
He contested parliamentary elections in 2000, 2001, and 2004. In addition, he received 32,651 and 35,651 at the presidential elections held in 1994 and 1999 respectively.
Following the 1956 reforms to establish Sinhala as the state language, he worked tirelessly to translate prominent science books into Sinhala and contributed to numerous dictionary and lexicon projects, including the notable Great Sinhala Dictionary.
As an author, he wrote extensively on science, literature, religion, history, politics, law, indigenous medicine, Buddhism, and issues affecting the Sinhala community.
He was also a committed journalist, advocating for the preservation of the Sinhala language and culture.
Pursuing a career in law, he joined Sri Lanka Law College and took oaths as an Attorney-at-Law in 1973.
In 1978, he played a significant role in the Sansoni Commission, appointed by President J. R. Jayawardene, which investigated the Sinhala-Tamil riots of August–September 1977.
Throughout his life, Dr. Wijayatunga remained a staunch advocate for Sinhala Buddhist cultural heritage and the rights of the community.
Details regarding his final rites are yet to be announced.
