Bernie Wijesekara

Senior Sports Journalist Bernie Wijesekara passed away yesterday at his residence after a brief illness.

The late Wijesekara, 84, was honoured with a lifetime service award in cricket journalism at the Dialog Sri Lanka Cricket annual awards ceremony held on September 3 at Waters Edge.

He began his sports journalism career at now defunct Times of Ceylon and thereafter joined the Ceylon Daily News and the Sunday Observer.

The veteran journalist has been to many countries almost every cricket playing nations in his 55-year-long journalism career since he covered the inaugural 1975 Prudential Cricket World Cup held in England. He covered all forms of sports and cricket was his forte.

He took oaths as an All Island Justice of the Peace in 2009.

After his retirement he was a regular contributor for the Daily Mirror on varies events.

He leaves his wife Irene, and children Visakha, Harendra and Janaki. Bernie's mortal remain will lie at his residence 373/E, Temple Road, Thalawathugoda. The cremation will take place on Saturday at General Cemetery, Kanatta, Borella.

It is with great sadness that we at Sri Lanka Cricket received the news of the demise of senior journalist Bernie Wijesekara.

SLC condoles

Bernie was a very senior journalist who used his vast knowledge of the game that he possessed for the betterment of cricket in our country.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to convey its condolences to the family of late Mr. Wijesekara.

May the turf lie gently on him