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Kala Keerthi Vini Vitharana (Sinhala: විනි විතාරන) (2 June 1928 – 2 December 2019) was a Sri Lankan Sinhalese linguist, professor, lecturer and a scholar. 1 He was well known for his significant contributions to Sinhala literature. During his lifetime, he was rated as one of the prominent notable educators in the country.

Career

Vitharana had completed his primary education at the Christ Church College in Tangalle and pursued his secondary school education at Mahinda College, Galle. He obtained bachelor's degrees from the University of Ceylon and University of London. He completed his doctorate in Philosophy in 1966 at the University of Peradeniya.

He served as an assistant editor of the Sinhala Encyclopedia from 1957 to 1959 for a period of two years. In 1960, he became a visiting lecturer at the Vidyodaya University. He was a recipient of a UNESCO award for his notable contributions to Sinhala literature in 1962. He received the prestigious Kala Keerthi award from the Government of Sri Lanka in 1993.

Death

He died on 2 December 2019 at the age of 91 in the early morning due to illness. The funeral was held in Borella on 4 December 2019.

References

1. "Archaeological Society of Sri Lanka honours distinguished linguist | the Sundaytimes Sri Lanka".
2. "Professor Vini Vitharana passes away". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
3. "Sinhala Language Professor Vini Vitharana passes away - Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
4. "Prof. Vini Vitharana passed away at 91". Daily News. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
5. Staff Writer (2019-12-02). "Prof. Vini Vitharana passes away, aged 91". NewsHub. Retrieved 2019-12-03.

• 1928 births
• 2019 deaths
• Buddhist apologists
• Sri Lankan educators
• Academic staff of Vidyodaya University
• Sri Lankan philosophers
• Sri Lankan scholars of Buddhism
• Alumni of the University of Peradeniya
• Alumni of the University of London
• Alumni of the University of Ceylon
• Alumni of Mahinda College