Kala Keerthi Vini Vitharana (Sinhala: විනි විතාරන) (2 June 1928 – 2 December 2019) was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese linguist, professor, lecturer and a scholar.[1] 1 He was well known for his significant contributions to Sinhala literature. During his lifetime, he was rated as one of the prominent notable educators in the country.[citation needed]

Vini Vitharana
Born(1928-06-02)2 June 1928
Died2 December 2019(2019-12-02) (aged 91)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationChrist Church College, Mahinda College
Alma materUniversity of Ceylon, University of Peradeniya, University of London
Occupation(s)scholar, professor, lecturer, educator
Known forcontributions to Sinhala literature
AwardsUNESCO award (1962)
Kala Keerthi (1993)

Career

edit

Vitharana had completed his primary education at the Christ Church College in Tangalle and pursued his secondary school education at Mahinda College, Galle. He obtained bachelor's degrees from the University of Ceylon and University of London. He completed his doctorate in Philosophy in 1966 at the University of Peradeniya.[2]

He served as an assistant editor of the Sinhala Encyclopedia from 1957 to 1959 for a period of two years. In 1960, he became a visiting lecturer at the Vidyodaya University. He was a recipient of a UNESCO award for his notable contributions to Sinhala literature in 1962.[citation needed] He received the prestigious Kala Keerthi award from the Government of Sri Lanka in 1993.

Death

edit

He died on 2 December 2019 at the age of 91 in the early morning due to illness.[3][4] The funeral was held in Borella on 4 December 2019.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Archaeological Society of Sri Lanka honours distinguished linguist | the Sundaytimes Sri Lanka".
  2. ^ "Professor Vini Vitharana passes away". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  3. ^ "Sinhala Language Professor Vini Vitharana passes away - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  4. ^ "Prof. Vini Vitharana passed away at 91". Daily News. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  5. ^ Staff Writer (2019-12-02). "Prof. Vini Vitharana passes away, aged 91". NewsHub. Retrieved 2019-12-03.