M.D.GUNASENA, Sri Lanka

M.D. GUNASENA | YESTERDAY TODAY AND TOMORROW

M.D. Gunasena and Company has today grown into a Group of Companies, which reflects the stability and the strength needed to survive in a competitive business environment. We continue to promote and consolidate our core business and maintain the edge over our competitors because of the enthusiasm, innovativeness, dedication, commitment and loyalty of our employees who handle all aspects of the trade in a most professional manner. No day passes without our employees facing the challenges and providing solutions to all work details. The obstacles we have faced have always been used as stepping-stones to our greater success. We have continued to educate and enlighten the nation. We have sought and achieved goals which others could only dream of. This has been the Gunasena story. We taught the nation to read and we shall continue to serve.
We have always had the inherent quest to diversify. Our strength is made evident by the new and innovative features of our group. We carry a dynamic company culture coupled with a superior service and build strong relationships with our ever increasing client base bonded by customer loyalties. We look at tomorrow with new ideas to reach to the future

OUR FOUNDER

Our founder Malagalage Don Gunasena whose name is today identified and synonymous with the book printing and publishing industry in Sri Lanka, hails from the remote village of Wewala in Salpiti Korale. He was the third son of Malagalage Don Carolis Perera and Galpotte kankanamalage Sophaya Perera Hamine and he had his initial education at the Wewala government school and there after studied English at Wesley College which is one of the leading educational institutions in our country today. There after he gained much knowledge in the printing industry at the Boys Industrial Home.

MD Gunasena

His desire to be in this trade never faded and when the 'Dinamina' was founded by HS Perera the young Malagalage Don Gunasena made his presence felt in the type setting and printing division where his talents were very much appreciated and in demand. Subsequently he became an indispensable part of this institution. His zest and enthusiasm could never be curtailed and he soon found himself working as a compositor at the 'Independent News Paper' where he drew his first true salary.

There after he joined Victor Press owned by Wijewickramage John Appuhamy situated at Dias place near Price Park where he worked tirelessly as a manager to fulfill his dreams and worked enthusiastically shouldering a multi-role in performing the tasks of salesmen, canvasser, bill collector, designer and printer. There was ample evidence that this young man will achieve and rise to even greater heights and reach the benchmarks of perfection and professionalism. His untiring efforts had finally borne fruit when on the 1st of February 1913 he leased out Victor Press making and marking his entry into the printing industry.

In July 1914 we see an important turning point in his printing career when he started the New Victor Press having acquired the former Victor Press. New machinery was also introduced to this rapidly expanding business with the press shifting around from the 1st to 5th Cross-Street in Pettah in 1917 and 1919 respectively. In the year 1922, on the thirtieth day of November this young man at the age of 29 married Lillian Senehelatha Perera from Grandpass.

From there onwards there was no looking back. The possibilities were endless and the young MD Gunasena could envision his dreams materializing in the distant horizon. In 1925 the existing business transformed itself into MD Gunasena and Company. Today it is one of the most respected and much sought after companies. It now has reached the zenith of the printing, publishing and book business in Sri Lanka with growing international connections and establishing itself as leader both on the local as well as global platform.

OUR LOGO

Amavatura & Dharmapradipika are well known works of the 12th century prose by the author Gurulugomi who represents the Gunasena logo. The highly creative artist G. S. Fernando produced this well - known logo which was used for the first time in the year 1949 when the book, ‘Sahityodaya Katha’ by Martin Wickramasinghe was published. Since then, it has become synonymous with every single Gunasena publication adorning its covers to signify the symbol which is a hallmark of quality literature - even in present times.

OUR FAMOUS AUTHORS

	MARTIN WICKREMASINGHE "My first novel 'Leela' was printed in 1914 by the Subadra Press in Fourth Cross Street, Pettah." My association with Mr. Gunasena began with the printing of my second novel 'Soma' at New Victor Press in Fifth Cross Street. That was way back in 1920. My third novel 'Irangani' was also printed by Mr. Gunasena. "Through the years we remained good friends because he was a simple man with integrity who did not fit into the mould of a typical 'businessman" (Culled from the article written for the 50th anniversary of M.D Gunasena & Company)
	MUNIDASA CUMARATUNGA Munidasa Cumarathuga used his pen as the weapon to evoke sentiments. Particularly among the young. His popular writings 'Heenseraya', 'Hath Pana' & 'Magul Kama' helped to create awareness of the need to be patriotic and nationalistic. Gunasenas published them. An English translation of 'Magul Kema' (Wedding Feast) was published later.
	V. D. DE LANEROLLE A name synonymous with Children's Books, V. D. de Lanerolle's association with Gunasenas dates back to 1926 when he walked into New Victor Press with Martin Wickremasinghe to get his children's poetry book 'Lama Kaw Kalamba' printed. This was followed by the 'Vinoda Katha' series which contained stories like Merchant of Venice for Sinhala readers who had no opportunity to read western classics. Many other publications followed.
	DR. E. W. ADIKARAM Educationist Dr. E. W. Adikaram was a pioneer in popularising science among Sinhala readers. His name is synonymous with Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte where he was Principal for 12 years - the school's golden era. Among at least half a dozen schools established by him are Vidyakara Vidyalaya, Maharagama (1973), Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda (1940) and Ananda Vidyalaya, Matugama 1941). The English version of the Dhammapada and The early History of Buddhism written by him were published by Gunasenas.
	GUNAPALA MALALASEKERA Professor Gunapala Malalasekera's great service to education and Buddhism in Sri Lanka is well - known. His association with Gunasenas started at the dawn of independence in 1948.That was the year the Malalasekera English-Sinhalese Dictionary was published. For the past sixty years the popularity of this dictionary bears testimony to the immense contribution made by Malalasekara to Sinhala Language and Literature. It remains the most sought after dictionary by students, academics and the general public.

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