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Tragic end to Jackson Anthony’s multi-faceted life
Jackson Anthony, popular actor, singer and film and media personality died last Monday while under treatment for over 15 months at the ICU at Colombo National Hospital for injuries sustained in a collision with a wild elephant at Thalawa in the NCP on July 2, 2022.His remains were interred on Thursday at St. Peter’s and Paul Church, Ragama.
Anthony left an enduring mark on the country’s cultural annals for his singing, dancing, acting, writing, and directing, seamlessly transitioning from the stage to the screen. His exceptional storytelling ability won him a wide following.
An exceptionally talented personality he attracted tens of thousands of fans with large crowds including many VIPs including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, ministers MPs and stage and film personalities as well as a multitude of fans crowding to pay their last respects.
Speaking to the media at his home, his daughter, Madhavi Anthony, said the family did their best over a period of many months to save their father’s life. “Despite how hard we tried to care for my father, we still lost him. It feels as though thieves have stolen him from us.”
Renowned artist Udayakantha Warnakulasuriya emphasized that Anthony’s talents transcended the boundaries of a single artistic segment. He underscored how Anthony had left his mark in nearly every facet of the arts, from cinema and music to the stage.
“This is a moment of deep sorrow for all of us. The loss of Jackson is profoundly felt in our hearts,” he said.
Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony, born on July 8, 1958, in the village of Podiwee Kumbura, Ragama, embarked on a remarkable journey of education and artistic accomplishment. He schooled at Hapugoda St. Mary’s Junior School and St. Mary’s College in Bandarawela before matriculating at Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla.
He went on to the University of Colombo, where he earned an honors degree in Sinhala language and literature and subsequently his master’s degree in Mass Media at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Throughout his time at the university, Anthony showcased his theatrical talents in numerous stage dramas. His early performances in Neville Dias Subasinghe’s “Vaaruwen Yana Minissu” and “Manavayo,” as well as E. M. D. Upali’s “Methanin Maruwenu,” set the stage for his illustrious career. He enhanced his reputation with acclaimed stage plays like “Marasad,” “Madhura Jawanika,” “Loma Hansa,” “Dhawala Beeshana,” “Ath,” “Mora,” and “Tharavo Igilethi,” earning widespread recognition in the realm of cinema. His exceptional acting skills earned him a Best Actor title at the National Drama Festival.
His talent was recognized overseas with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Foreign Language Film at the Nice International Film Festival for his role in the movie ‘Dada ima (End of the Hunt).’ He secured Best Actor accolades at the 2018 Winner SIGNIS Award and 2018 Sarasaviya Award for his outstanding performance in the movie ‘Dharmayuddhaya.’
His remarkable contributions to drama and cinema were celebrated with multiple awards from prestigious platforms, including the “Gampaha 80” Drama Festival, National Drama Festival, Divaina Sama Drama Festival, Wijaya Rupavahini Awards, UNDA Awards, Sumathi Awards, Mass Media Awards, Critic Awards, SIGNIS OCIC Awards, Presidential Awards, Raigam Tele’es Awards, Asian Film Festival, and Fox International Film Festival.
On July 2, 2022, tragedy struck when Jackson Anthony was hospitalized following an unfortunate collision with a wild elephant while traveling with his younger brother and another in Talawa. Initially admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, he was later transferred to the ICU of Colombo National Hospital, where he received medical care until his untimely passing at the age of 65-years.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
