Hema Nalin Karunaratne මිහිර සිරිතිලක | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hema Nalin Karunaratne 27 August 1962 Wadduwa, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 5 June 2017 (aged 54) Millagahawatta Road, Thalahena, Malabe |
| Cause of death | intra-ventricular hemorrhage[1] |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Royal College, Colombo |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, Media Director, TV presenter, Script writer, Researcher, Program Production Manager |
| Years active | 1983 – 2018 |
| Spouse | Iresha Karunaratne |
| Children | Nalina Kasmira |
Hema Nalin Karunaratne, (Sinhala: ප්රින්ස් උදය ප්රියන්ත; 27 August 1962 – 5 June 2018), was a journalist and Television presenter of Sri Lanka. Considered as one of Sri Lanka's prominent figure in Sri Lankan media,[2] Karunaratne was a media director, compere, script writer, researcher, program production manager and television presenter by profession. He inspired the Sri Lankan television by his voice and was a teacher to many generations of media personalities.[3] Until his death in 2018, he was the owner of satellite channel Heritage TV.[4][5]
Karunaratne was born on 27 August 1962 in Wadduwa, [[]]. His father G.B.C. Karunaratne was an electrical engineer and mother E.L. Perera, was a teacher. He had only one brother Jeewantha Karunaratne, who is ten years elder than Hema Nalin. His mother's sister Praba Ranatunge was first female news reader for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.[6]
He received his primary education at St. Mary's College, Mathugama[6] and then completed secondary education from Royal College, Colombo.[3] As he said, he was passionate to enter field of television career since school times. On 1 February 1983, he achieved his target by joining the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a Trainee Producer.[3] His first narration came about on a bomb blast which occurred around July 1983.[6] As a compere, his first program was Sandesha Kavya. After 17 years in the Rupavahini, he joined to Swarnavahini in June, 2000 as a creative director. He has the distinction for making the motto of Swarnavahini, Sri Lankiya Abimanaya (Sri Lanka's pride).[6]
He gained fame for the popular programme 9.05 which was telecast for a long period of time.[7]
Other popular programs of Karunaratne are, Hathata Hithata Hadawathata, Hapan Padura, Mang Podi Kale, Prathiba, Jeewithaya Lassanai teledrama, Sundara Senasurada, Hansa Wila, Maha Sinhale Wansa Kathawa, Dutu Nodutu, Perawadana, Loke Wate.[6]
Hema Nalin Karunaratne was married to his longtime partner, Iresha Karunaratne.[3] They have one son and one daughter. His son Nalina Kasmira is also entered television at the young age and performed as a child artist in popular musical program Hapan Padura which was telecast on Swarnavahini.
On 5 June 2018, Karunaratne was died of a sudden illness at his residence.[8] The body was found on next day after searched due to doors being closed since the previous night. The cause for the death was later revealed as intra-ventricular hemorrhage occurred due to a ruptured blood vessel in his brain.[9]
The final rites of Hema Nalin was held at the Borella General Cemetery on 8 June 2018.[10]