Oldest existing Sinhala newspaper, the Gnanartha Pradeepaya is 150 years old
It was 1866. Ceylon was a British colony and English reigned supreme as the land's official language. It wasn't the most successful of times for publications in indigenous languages, but with strong faith, on July 7, the Catholic Limited Company launched the Gnanartha Pradeepaya which celebrates 150 years of existence this year. It is known to be the oldest Sinhala newspaper still in print.
A ceremony was held last Monday (January 11) at the Bishop's House Complex, Colombo 7.
Preceding the Catholic Press's English publicationthe Catholic Messenger, by three years, the Pradeepaya came into being within five years of a similar bulletin called The Roman Observer being launched in Rome.
"The first issue was merely 4 11 inch pages impressed clearly with the thematic glowing lamp and an excerpt from the Book of Psalms," said Director of the Colombo Catholic Press, Rev. Mahendra Gunathilake. "It said, 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path', " said Rev. Gunathilake, adding that this has been the aim of this publication from its inception. "Propagation of faith in the Catholic Church is of utmost importance," and this is what inspired the newspaper's establishment.
Around 50,000 copies of the Gnanartha Pradeepaya are printed every Thursday. "By around 2 p.m. distribution is well underway and readers have access to the printed issues. The Catholic Press's readership has expanded over the years and a Tamil publication called Gnana Oli has also been in circulation since 2010.
"Every Catholic household knows about the paper" Rev. Gunathilake says since it still serves as a means of communication. The Pradeepaya carries news of events of the 10 dioceses, dates of celebratory feasts in honour of saints and occasionally a cartoon strip.