Kularatna Bulathgama (Upali), a veteran Journalist, celebrated his 93rd birthday this year.

Upali was delighted to reminiscence his early days and his illustrious Journalist career that spanned well over 60 years.

He was born at Kuruwita, Ratnapura, on July 16, 1928. In a family of three daughters and three sons, he was the fifth. His dad was a  reputed building contractor “Charles Ayya” (P.A. Bulathgama) and his mother was Ganegama Yasohamine.

Upali began his primary education at Higgaswatta Sinhala Vidyalaya. Later he attended St. Aloysius’ College and Seevali Maha Vidyalaya, Ratnapura.

Upali continued to compose verses and had won the prestigious State  Award “Kala Bushana”. Meanwhile he had been conferred with several  honorary titles as “Kivi Pathi Prathibha Pranama”, “Kawya Parameshwara”  and many more

Some of his classmates at Seevali, later became eminent figures. Among them were Prof. Ariya Rajakaruna, Henry Tennakoon (Renowned Cartoonist) and Jayavilal Wilegoda (The Cinema Critic).

Since there was no age barrier for schools, when Upali attended English classes, there came a well-known elderly poet by the name of Ven. Pandita Bambarakotuwe Suddharma Thera. He too, joined his class.

Due to the presence and association Ven. Suddharma Thera, he became enthusiastic in poetry and literature. Henry excelled in composing verses of paradox and poems involving love affairs among students or touched more on current issues. 

Meanwhile Upali moved by English poet Henry Longfellow’s “East Wind and the Morning Star”, composed Sinhala verses. 

Upali continued to compose verses and had won the prestigious State Award “Kala Bushana”. Meanwhile he had been conferred with several honorary titles as “Kivi Pathi Prathibha Pranama”, “Kawya Parameshwara” and many more.

While serving as a teacher and an Art Inspector of Schools, Upali devoted his time to serve as a part-time Lake House Correspondent in Kandy.

When he first joined Lake House the Managing Director was Esmond Wickremesinghe. The latter was the eldest son-in-law of founder Late D.R. Wijewardene.

Simultaneously, just finishing his overseas studies he assumed office as Chairman Lake House. It was a memorable event.

He was none other than the founder’s youngest son Ranjit Wijewardene.

In 1973, ANCL was arbitrarily taken over by the Government. Anyhow it paved way for the emergence of yet another powerful Media Organization, Wijeya Newspapers Ltd under the leadership of our outgoing Chairman. Upali pays a high tribute to “Loku Sir” the Silumina Chief Editor Piyasena Nissanka. He had encouraged and molded Upali, to keep in line with the Journalistic Ethics from the beginning.

There were stalwarts in the news field, namely M.A.D. Silva, Dharmapala Wethasinghe, D.F. Kariyakarawana, Meemana Prematilake, B.A. Siriwardana, Wimal Abeysundara, Benedict Dodampegama, Wimalasiri Perera, Pujitha Wijetunga, Sisira Kumara Manikkarachchi, Hema Gunawardana, Sumana Saparamadu and several others.
Upali attributes, to have been a permanent resident in Kandy as the “secret of his success” as a journalist.

The presence of Malwatta and Asgiriya Maha Viharas as well as Peradeniya University Dons and VIP guests were all newsworthy.

At the time news stories around Kandy mostly appeared under the bylines of Russel Gunasekera, Y.B. de Silva, M.I. Marikkar, Ariyawanse Pathiraja, K. Bandaranayake, Cyril Wimalasurendra, Ariyaratne Vithanachchi, L.B. Senaratne and Kularatne Bulathgama. The latter became more popular since he contributed articles in Sinhala as well as in English.

What is more interesting is Upali still continued to work with us. 

Though not known before, on a prize giving day in 1961, I first spoke to him to request whether he could take a picture of mine when I receive the prize.

He just noted down my name and address. One week later a letter came with my negatives enclosed with. Ever since I respected him.

In terms of 4th Estate, I wonder whether this topic turns into wheels within wheels.

Ironically and coincidentally Upali is a direct descendant of the Bulathgama family. As “Birds of a feather flock together” Upali and his younger brother Late Ananda (Renowned Photographer), embraced journalism as their lifeline.

Upali now lives in Kandy with his wife Manel Vishakha, only son Col. Sampath and his siblings.

Once a schoolboy poet and over the past six decades Upali has carved his name as a poet, a versatile writer, and a veteran journalist in service to the Motherland. Let’s salute Upali, with a sheaf of betel!