Philip Upali Wijewardene was a Sri Lankan business magnate. Considered one of the best known entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, he was the founder and Chairman of Upali Group, the first multi-national business in Sri Lanka. The Upali Group which diversified from confectionery to electronics and automobile manufacturing, publishing, print media, leisure and aviation developed many of its own brands such as Kandos, Delta, Unic, Upali Air, Upali Mazda and Upali Newspapers which Insight Magazine UK said was achieved "largely through bravado and wit".
Divaina is a Sinhala language daily newspaper published by the Upali Newspapers in Sri Lanka. A sister newspaper of The Island, Divaina was established in 1981. Its Sunday edition is the Sunday Divaina. The daily newspaper currently has a circulation of 156,000 and its Sunday edition, 340,000 per issue. The paper was founded by Upali Wijewardene, and it takes a Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist editorial stance.
The Times of Ceylon was an English language daily newspaper in Sri Lanka published by Times of Ceylon Limited (TOCL). It was founded in 1846 as the Ceylon Times and was published from Colombo. It ceased publication in 1985.
The Island is a daily English-language newspaper in Sri Lanka. It is published by Upali Newspapers. A sister newspaper of Divaina, The Island was established in 1981. Its Sunday edition, Sunday Island, commenced publishing in 1991. The daily newspaper currently has a circulation of 70,000 and its Sunday edition, 103,000 per issue. Upali Wijewardene was its founder. Its political leaning is pro-Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Wijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL) is a Sri Lankan media company which publishes a number of national newspapers and magazines. Formerly known as Wijeya Publications Limited, WNL was founded in 1979 by Ranjith Wijewardene, son of medial mogul D. R. Wijewardena. Ranjith Wijewardene had been chairman of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited before it was taken over by the government in July 1973.
The Ceylon Observer was an English language daily newspaper in Sri Lanka published by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). It was founded in 1834 as The Observer and Commercial Advertiser and was published from Colombo. It ceased publication in 1982.
Lankadeepa was a Sinhala language daily newspaper in Ceylon published by Times of Ceylon Limited (TOCL). It was founded on 29 October 1947 and was published from Colombo. Initially an evening paper, it became a morning daily on 1 May 1949. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 56,241. It had an average circulation of 57,769 in 1970, 33,751 in 1973 and 14,000 in 1976.
Sri Lankadeepa was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Times of Ceylon Limited (TOCL). It was founded in 1951 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 118,561. It had an average circulation of 133,093 in 1970, 85,654 in 1973 and 55,000 in 1976.
The Sunday Times of Ceylon was an English language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Times of Ceylon Limited (TOCL). It was founded in 1923 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 34,856. It was published under different names during its existence, including Times of Ceylon Sunday Illustrated, Times Weekender and Sunday Times. It had an average circulation of 29,613 in 1970, 29,054 in 1973 and 18,500 in 1976.
Chinthamani was a Tamil language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1966 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 19,000. It had an average circulation of 35,000 in 1973.
Gitanjali was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1964 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 15,000. It had an average circulation of 15,000 in 1973.
Iranama was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1964 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 20,000. It had an average circulation of 40,000 in 1973.
Riviresa was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 20 August 1961 as Rividina and was published from Colombo. The paper changed its name to Riviresa in January 1963. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 170,000. It had an average circulation of 185,000 in 1973.
Sawasa was a Sinhala language daily evening newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1963 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 34,000. It had an average circulation of 18,812 in 1973.
Sundari was a Tamil language weekly newspaper in Sri Lanka published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1973 and was published from Colombo. It had an average circulation of 1,000 in 1973.
Thanthi was a Tamil language daily evening newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1967 and was published from Colombo. In 1967 it had an average net sales of 16,000. It had an average circulation of 10,020 in 1973.
Tikiri was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1963 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 12,500. It had an average circulation of 12,000 in 1973.
Visitura was a Sinhala language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded on 1962 and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 60,000. It had an average circulation of 20,000 in 1973.
Weekend was an English language weekly newspaper in Ceylon published by Independent Newspapers Limited, part of M. D. Gunasena & Company. It was founded in 1965 as the Weekend Sun and was published from Colombo. In 1966 it had an average net sales of 45,000. It had an average circulation of 48,590 in 1973. The paper later changed its name to Weekend.
The Sri Lanka Journalism Awards for Excellence is an awards ceremony held annually in Sri Lanka to recognize the achievements of print media journalists working in the country’s three main languages – Sinhala, Tamil and English.
