Senior Journalist, Newspaper Editor and Diplomat Bandula Jayasekera passed away at the age of 60 this morning. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily News in 2006–2007. He also served as Director General, President’s Office Media Unit for some time during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure and Director General (Public Communication) at the External Affairs Ministry. His last foray in media was at Sirasa\MTV where he worked until recently as a talk show host, including for the popular ‘Pathikada’ programme. As a diplomat he served in Australia, Canada and also as Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York. Bandula Jayasekera was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a type of blood cancer in July 2019. His efforts for a cure did not materialize and after being diagnosed as terminally ill Jayasekera spent his last days at the palliative care centre at Karapitiya hospital Galle. Jayasekera even during his last days took to print, electronic and social media to create public awareness on palliative care and the need for better palliative care facilities for Sri Lankans such as the one he spent his last days, the dedicated palliative care centre at Karapitiya hospital headed by Dr.Chrysantha Perera. Excerpts of an interview done with Jayasekera from the palliative care centre at Galle appeared in the ‘Daily News’, February 12, 2021.
Update:
Death of former Editor-in-Chief of Daily News Bandula Jayasekera
Senior Journalist, Newspaper Editor and Diplomat Bandula Jayasekera passed away at the age of 60 yesterday. He was the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily News in 2006–2007.
He also served as Director General, President’s Office Media Unit for some time during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure and Director General (Public Communication) at the External Affairs Ministry. His last foray in media was at SirasaTV where he worked until recently as a talk show host, including for the popular ‘Pathikada’ programme.
As a diplomat he served in Australia, Canada and also as Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York.
Bandula Jayasekera was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome in July 2019. His efforts for a cure did not materialize and after being diagnosed as terminally ill, Jayasekera was at the palliative care centre at the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle.
Jayasekera even during his last days took to print, electronic and social media to create public awareness on palliative care and the need for better palliative care facilities for Sri Lankans such as the one he spent his last days, the dedicated palliative care centre at Karapitiya hospital headed by Dr.Chrysantha Perera.
Excerpts of an interview done with Jayasekera from the palliative care centre in Galle appeared in the ‘Daily News’, February 12, 2021.
