Hi, my name is Nalaka Gunawardene. I’m the Blogger-in-Chief of this blog.
I like to introduce myself as a professional story-teller. A science writer by training, I’ve worked variously as a journalist, film-maker, media researcher, media trainer, communications consultant and TV host during the past 20 years.
Just like media is a plural term, I have multiple affiliations and wear several ‘hats’. In all these, I ‘connect the dots’, find new ways of seeing the world around me, speak my mind — and also have fun.
My ‘day job’ is as the Chief Executive Officer of Television for Education – Asia Pacific, trading as TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP). It’s a Colombo-anchored, regionally operating social enterprise that produces and distributes educational television and video content on development issues. In this, I work with film-makers, TV journalists as well as educational and civil society users of video: we tell journalistic stories of Asia’s development efforts through moving images. We believe that authentic moving images can move people to change attitudes and lifestyles that are healthier for themselves, their societies and, ultimately, the planet.
In my spare time, which is plentiful, I dabble in some freelance writing, TV hosting, media research and conference speaking, both in my native Sri Lanka and elsewhere in Asia. A Google search for my name (mind the spelling: NALAKA GUNAWARDENE) will bring up many of my op ed essays, book reviews and other commentary published online at various high-impact websites and print media outlets.Among the outlets that I contribute are: AsiaMedia of University of California Los Angeles; Eye on Ethics, edited in Manila; Himal Southasian edited in Kathmandu; Groundviews citizen journalism website edited in Colombo; MediaChannel.org edited in New York; and Media Helping Media hosted from London.
Additionally, at one time or another, I have been interviewed and/or quoted by leading news media organisations in the East and West including (but not limited to) Al Jazeera, AFP, AP, BBC, CNN, the New York Times and Reuters.
Given my ability to ‘connect the dots’ as well as relate the macro with the micro, I’m often invited to serve as a studio guest in various news, current affairs and talk shows on television. I play ‘TV pundit’ on topics as varied as the nexus between technology and society, achieving environmental sustainability and public communication of science. In 2008, I executive produced and part-hosted Sri Lanka 2048, a series of television debates on future choices for a more sustainable Sri Lanka which aired on the country’s most popular TV network. In mid 2009, I started hosting a weekly show on innovation, called Navakam, on the newly launched Siyatha TV channel in Sri Lanka.
Pursuing a life-long passion, I have great fun in being a compiler and presenter of general knowledge quiz shows on television. In my high school years and beyond, I was a ‘quiz kid’ (becoming Sri Lanka’s national youth quiz champion in 1990), so it made perfect sense to evolve into a Quiz Master! My most recent quiz show was HighQ which ran on for six months in 2005-2006.

Nalaka Gunawardene - photo by Janaka Sri Jayalath
My current interests include:
- understanding how the new media can undermine traditional centres of authority;
- critiquing the ethical sourcing and use of television content from the majority world;
- promoting public discussion and debate through mainstream and new media;
- watching how information and communication technologies (ICTs) are transforming cultures, societies and economies in Asia, where half of humanity lives; and
- studying the potential of new media to communicate development and humanitarian issues.
I have wide and varied interests and I get involved in issues, concerns and pursuits sometimes to earn a living, and at other times for pure fun — or, as I like to say, for kicks and/or bucks. For now, I only get
‘kicks’ from writing and managing this blog; someday, I hope, it will also earn me some useful bucks!
I speak and write English and Sinhala languages (both of which I’m still learning). I’m allergic to legalese, academese and jargon. I like to use lots of images, including cartoons and illustrations, to accompany what I speak or write. I was professionally trained to ask questions, so there’s no such thing as a dumb question in my book.
Speaking of books, the most recent book I co-edited (with Indian journalist Frederick Noronha) was Communicating Disasters: An Asia Pacific Resource Book, which came out in December 2007. Interestingly, it was the last book for which the late Sir Arthur C Clarke wrote a foreword.
A more detailed (though now slightly dated) profile about myself is found here.
I can be reached on email nalaka AT nalaka DOT org
About this blog:
I started blogging in early 2007 so that I can express my own views without being limited by organisational norms. The opinions expressed everywhere in this blog are entirely my own, and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or views of any organisation that I am associated with in a paid or honorary capacity.
This is a moderated blog where I approve/disapprove the publication of readers’ comments to individual posts. I do allow all reasonable comments left by readers — including those that radically disagree with my own views. The basic rules of my moderation: I don’t publish comments that are outright libelous of individuals, or are so explicitly self-promotional bordering on spam.
Since I remain open-minded and eager for new knowledge, my views on some topics and issues keep evolving over time. Although it’s tempting to go back and edit some of my earlier blog posts in the light of new knowledge or understanding, I refrain from doing so. And if that sometimes presents (minor) inconsistencies, I can only quote Walt Whitman in my defence:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)


7 April 2007 at 2:47 pm
Congrats on your blog site Nalaka…just learned about it now.
Glad to be able to have a place to find all your great writing.
More power,
Al
26 July 2007 at 10:24 am
Came through Mediahelpingmedia. Ur blog is really interesting and am tempted to come again. Plz do visit mine also.
10 August 2007 at 11:33 pm
I am also basically a storyteller, a journalist and social writer.. Nice to meet you :)
22 August 2007 at 11:49 am
Your blog is inspiring and absorbing and I feel a rush of gratitude for the idealism and activism that motivates South Asian journalists like you, Ammu Joseph and several others …
24 August 2007 at 1:26 pm
Hi,
Nice blog, it’s very informative. Nice to know you..
Regards
Ady
3 September 2007 at 7:03 am
Thanks Nalaka for creating such an informative blog. Will take time to read ALL article. I am a great fan of your ’stories.’
Wanni
20 November 2007 at 10:08 am
Found you, finally.
I’ve heard a lot about you from Maryanne. I am at the Sunday Observer and she says you used to write marvelous articles for her.
Aditha
10 December 2007 at 8:09 am
As you I’m a journalist and science writer by training, but more differ from you by consuming freedom to discuss my own ideas and opinions because of I’m editor for mass reading magazine that cater general audience. Before read your ideas and comments on some issues and persons, I think I’m luxurious in job satisfaction. Thanks to you, now I have realize I am consuming something below luxurious, in job satisfaction.
Palitha Amarasooriya,
Editor / PARIGANAKA.
20 December 2007 at 4:37 am
Hi Nalaka
I am also a freelance cameraperson/documentary maker and would like to work with you in future, I am Pratima from Kathmandu, Nepal.
24 December 2007 at 5:20 am
Why not add the site to kottu.org?
12 January 2008 at 3:59 pm
Dear Nalaka,
I’m watching your interview on MTV with Kingsley as I type this comment. I think this is this is the first time I saw you in person, and came to know who you are and what you stand for. But I was a bit troubled by your answer to Kingsley’s question “why don’t you try to bring about the much needed change in to the use of media in your own country?”
I think this is the tragic situation this country is facing. The people who can bring about some positive change in any feild are “thinking and acting globally but not locally”.
Personally I have been trying hard to get professionals and academics in Kandy to use their tallents, social status and contacts to preserve the beauty of the environment in Kandy, but I am still to find someone who go an inch beyond “Yes,Yes, we must do something”.
Question one: Could you help me? Question two: Could you please act locally too? We do need to make our audience sensitive to ethics and accepted code of conduct of the media. Specially I am appalled by the way tragic incidents are reported with closeups of greivingfamily members.
All the Best
5 February 2008 at 1:18 pm
Hello sir,
I am 19 years old I am very proud to state that I look up to you as a great inspiration.Anyhow I agree with the question Vasantha had pointed out.I am also honoured to state that I have been previlleged to work with some enthusiastic young people united under the name of Beyond Borders.We are doing quite a lot to make this country(that is Sri Lanka) and hopefully the Globe,a better place to live.I have subscribed to your feed and hope to read your work constantly.
http://beyondborders.wordpress.com/
5 March 2008 at 10:35 pm
:)
29 March 2008 at 5:28 am
Good to see another Sri Lankan involved in Western media. Time for us to stop being worker bee’s and start being in effective management!
30 March 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hello Sir,
Today I read your article ‘Of nukes and impotent nations’ published in The Hindu. It was very interesting and insightful.
I sincerely wish we need more Arthur Clarke’s today. His death is a great loss to the Mankind. Thanks you for revealing more about him through your wonderful writing.
It is my first visit to your blog and I just bookmarked it.
11 June 2008 at 1:01 pm
hi!
thanks for creating a very informative blog.Hope you can do something for our country with your knowlede.best wishes
manel
16 June 2008 at 4:49 pm
Dear Gunawardene,
I enjoyed reading you blog. I am documentary maker from Indonesia. Please visit my website http://www.ragam.org
All the best,
Aryo
30 July 2008 at 12:09 pm
Dear Nalaka,
My compliments on a job well done! This blog is both informative and absorbing. You bring to focus many relevant topics that are missed or poorly addressed by the big stations and give the articles life and vigor in a way that I know only you can.
I am taking the time to go through all of your blogs, and am enjoying every minute of it. I regret not being able to watch your TV show from Europe. Hope you are doing well.
All best,
Harsha
25 August 2008 at 4:21 am
Dear Nalaka,
Very interesting blogs.
Can I take your permission to use the After Eden Ark Plan cartoon in one of my presentations?
Good Luck
Hany
30 August 2008 at 11:10 am
[...] I came to know of her passing away while going through the website of another dedicated and respected Sri Lankan journalist Nalaka Gunawardene. I met Gunawardene in the late 1980s at Vestras, Sweden, where we had gone to attend an international semniar on “Media In Times Of Crisis”. For his website pl click here… [...]
15 October 2008 at 12:06 pm
Dear Nalaka,
I just discovered your blog and your topics and writing are near to my heart and work. I have been working on water and waste water treatment using wetlands for the last 5 years and developed a nonprofit to specifically address water resource issues facing communities throughout the world. Please check out our website http://www.nv-oc.org and perhaps we can share stories in the future. I would be interested in linking my site to your blog and future stories you write.
Cheers,
Brandy
12 November 2008 at 1:30 am
[...] never met Nalaka Gunawardene, however I expect when I do we’ll have plenty to talk about. Nalaka is CEO and Director at [...]
14 December 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi Mr Nalaka
Greetings to you from the Amity International School Family!
We would love to show some of your films to our students in our 7 schools in New Delhi & NCR followed by a talk by you to the students.
Pl do visit us when you come to Delhi.
Regards
Jyoti Arora
coordinator
Amity Educational Resource Centre
All Amity Schools
23 December 2008 at 1:00 am
Dr. Mr. Gunawardene,
I was very interested to read your article on PB Molesworth and to see that it has just been published a couple of days ago! Wonderful article, which brings back many memories.
I spent 6 months in Sri Lanka in 2003 and had a special interest in Mr. Molesworth. When I and my friend, the former director of the Colombo Planetarium visited Trincomalee, we took special pains to find his gravestone.
A few days later I had the privilege of visiting Sir Arthur in his home, and he showed me the first chapter of his book (The Last Theorem). In the first draft, PB Molesworth was featured even more prominently in the first chapter.
Dave Weinrich
Planetarium Coordinator
Minnesota State University Moorhead
29 December 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hi Nalaka,
It was very nice to see/found your very interesting blogs here. Really enjoyed reading them. Seeing you after 20 years since we left the school.
Good luck and keep up your good work !!
Sanjaya Amaratunga
Manchester
UK
19 January 2009 at 1:27 pm
Time flies while outstanding query’s remain unanswered but we must continually address these until satisfactory answers are provided.
Who is the person/s who originally conceived/created the Ozzy Ozone character? The UNEP will only say that it was an [unnamed] artist, commissioned by Gov. Barbados, while Gov. Barbados will only say it was their [unnamed] staff who created Ozzy. Yet those who are involved in Ozzys development and dissemination are sitting on laurel wreaths, whilst the unknown original creator/s of Ozzy are sidelined ( I suggest). Why?
Possibly Ozzy is the most successful Environment Ambassador to fall into the hands of the UNEP, yet they do not seem to know (or seem not wanting to reveal) his original father/mother creator.
It is most strange. In fact, I cannot understand how it is, either, that the organization in charge of spearheading the distribution of Ozzy Ozone dvd in Asia Pacific (TVEAP) can happily ride on the tide of ignorance in this matter?
Do you think it matters, or not?
I initially asked a simple question to which I expected a simple answer, but I now find, unbelievably, that what we are dealing with here seems to be “An Inconvenient Truth”
too many for UNEP to handle. Why?
My interests lye with truth. I wish Ozzy Ozone a successful future in bringing the benefits of public awareness to the children and adults of the World, re Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection issues.
But let us get real. Ozzy Ozone is a creation. Again, I ask, Who is the True Original Creator / Person/s of Ozzy Ozone.
There must be a name with a face. It matters.
Thomas
4 March 2009 at 4:12 pm
If you agree to add my blog on your blogroll, I’ll create a link to your blog as weel.
Would you agree?
27 March 2009 at 9:48 am
I became a fan of your blog after reading an article in sunday times on a scientist who explored mars a century ago based in trincomalee. your blog is great and so are you.
9 April 2009 at 10:38 pm
Dear Nalaka,
I really enjoy reading the journals that you wrote. I download two pictures about Ecological footprint from the website. Just to let you know! Our beatiful land needs someone like you, who cares, who takes action, and who educates others.
Thank you.
Amy
23 July 2009 at 8:44 am
I am very pleased to meet you and read through your blog. I think that you mirror my views on several issues concerning media as a driver for development and socio-economic transformation. This is quite an inspiration for me. I seem to hold a similar view to yours but focus my attention and energies on the African continent. I could learn alot from you. I definitely plan to be a regular visitor on your blogs.
24 July 2009 at 12:37 pm
Dear Nalaka
No offence but your blog is bit boring for me.Hope you will start something interesting soon.
By the way i watched a interview of you with kingsly on sirasa tv once.I felt you have got the talent to do something cool rather than this blog.
Wish you good luck.
25 August 2009 at 9:26 am
[...] Nalaka Gunawardene, a journalist, film-maker, media researcher, media trainer, communications consultant and TV host during the past 20 years. [...]
25 August 2009 at 4:11 pm
I am glad I found you at last ! You have always been an inspiration . As a child I remember watching the quiz programmes you took part. It was a pleasure to see you do so well ! All the best for your future.
9 September 2009 at 5:27 am
Interesting site.
All the best, CPNBC News
24 September 2009 at 5:45 pm
I am From Bangladesh.
We are some young and energetic students start our work by an organization (CDSB) to improve the society and to develop the children and youth. We are working for better Bangladesh.
Largest effort in Bangladesh only by teenagers
We started our work at 6th October 2006.
We are running a school for slum children
I am a student of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) at Media Studies and Journalism.
23 October 2009 at 12:46 pm
[...] August 2009, President Nasheed filmed an exclusive interview with TVE Asia Pacific’s Director Nalaka Gunawardene. In this wide-ranging interview, recorded in the Maldivian capital Malé before he headed out to [...]
5 November 2009 at 11:54 pm
Nice site thanks for the info
8 November 2009 at 12:50 pm
Dear Mr. Nalaka,
This blog is very helpful to know about you and your contributions.
And its a nice blog presentation.
balaji
OMCAR
India
17 November 2009 at 3:53 pm
What a void we would have had not Sir Arthur C Clarke 20 plus years ago hired a young man by the name of Nalaka Gunawardene. There he was a young journalist with great potential and with the insight to tell a story in a way that could touch us by holding a mirror up to our face and saying…”Don’t be afraid to look at ourselves.” I dont know where we would be without his blogs…and opinions. He is an amazing story teller…..with a grass roots approach.
It is a great honour to know him. I am sure there were other qulaified people considered 20 plus years ago to work for Sir Arthur….but Arthur made a very very good choice indeed. Keep it up…you make Arthur proud my friend.