Sumana Jayathilaka, a distinguished radio journalist and former Additional Director General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), has passed away.

Jayathilaka was renowned as the inaugural presenter of the highly acclaimed “Handa Mama” programme on SLBC, where she was fondly known as Handa Nanda.

Her career in broadcasting began in 1963 when she joined SLBC as an announcer and rose to the position of Additional Director General before retiring in 1984.

She also acted as the Programme Manager of regional radio services such as Ruhunu Sevaya and Mahanuwara Sevaya.

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said that Jayathilaka was a courageous woman who fulfilled a national mission by working with foresight to prepare the Sri Lankan future generation with great potentials to transform society for the better.

“When I was the education minister, she gave us a lot of strength as a consultant on children’s programmes and children’s affairs,” he said.