Colombo: Catholics and others in Sri Lank celebrated the 150th anniversary of the island nation’s first Catholic paper in Sinhalese and one of oldest publications in Asia.
From a four-page newsletter announcing Catholic Church events, Gnarath Pradeepaya (Lamp of Wisdom), has become a 24-page weekly, in color, with a circulation of 30,000. It focuses on the Church in all its aspects – economics, politics and social issues – with a clear editorial line. News is evaluated from a faith perspective.
John Fernando, a layman, founded the paper in 1866 with a staff of eight lay people and a priest.
After about 20 years, the Archdiocese of Colombo bought him out. For 150 years, the paper could be picked up each Friday at parish churches or on newsstands around the country. Recently, circulation has increased by almost 50 percent, a sign of the great interest for the universal Church
“When I arrived last year, 195 copies were sold a week. Now it’s 300,” said Reka Denipitiya, who sells the paper in St Mary Parish in Jael, a suburb north of Colombo. “This means that readers like the content and the news,” she told AsiaNews.
Tharanga Nonis, a Catholic entrepreneur, finds many articles and news related to human affairs, current issues and the pope. “This is what gets people to buy Gnarath Pradeepaya.”
Sunny Fernando has been distributing the paper for 45 years in Moratuwa (south of the capital). “When there were no modern media, the paper cost less than 20 cents and was very useful in keeping people informed and educating Catholics.”
The paper’s classified pages include funeral announcements as well as personal ads by people looking for a partner.
Niluka Silva found her soul mate through the paper. Born Buddhist, she began reading the weekly, converted, and eventually found a personal ad that attracted her. However, for Sunny Fernando, “the paper is not just death and wedding announcements. It provides a different way to view the country,” which is predominantly Buddhist.
Out of a population of 21 million, 70 percent is Buddhist, about 10 percent Muslim, and 7 percent Christian.