Lal Gunasekara –fine journalist and friend

One of the nation’s finest sports writers, Lal Gunasekara passed away on Sunday at the age of 73. Lal was one of the few journalists who covered Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match in 1982, against England at P. Sara Oval. His other passion was rugby and athletics and he had several overseas assignments covering cricket, rugby and athletics.

While many sports journalists specialize in one field, Lal was an all-rounder. It’s by no means an easy task as you’ve got to know the technical aspects of all these sports.

Lal did a stellar job in an era where there were so many challenges without internet or computers. He was old-fashioned and to the very end wrote his copies. He had built up excellent contacts across all sports and had several friends be it at the Parliament or the corporate world.

Lal had long stints with Daily News and Sunday Observer newspapers and when he left Lake House and joined Upali Newspapers, he worked at the news desk of ‘The Island’ and continued his stellar work proving that his expertise wasn’t only in sports.

There were many fond memories of him. His Honda bike, a Japan made, was one of his pride possessions. Occasionally, someone in the editorial would hide his bike at some corner in the office premises and yours truly would become his suspect number one. He would come to the sports desk and dish out some choicy Sinhala words, but when he had calmed down, would return back and say, ‘if you have any copies to be subbed, pass it on to me’

Lal was quick to dish it out to anyone who pulled his leg, but never bore a grudge with anyone. He was sharp-tongued as well immediately shooting back at anyone who passed a remark at him. A hard working, humble and careful man, Lal will be missed.

May his soul rest in peace.

Rex