{
  "id": 3846926,
  "title": "Ginige Palitha Sirimal Harischandra de Silva Historian and Archivist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/ginige-palitha-sirimal-harischandra-de-silva-historian-and-archivist",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T23:45:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/ginige-palitha-sirimal-harischandra-de-silva-historian-and-archivist/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ginige Palitha Sirimal Harischandra de Silva, a historian and archivist, was born and raised in Kuliyapitiya Central School. Despite being derisively mocked by a short man on his first night in Peradeniya, Haris formed a lasting friendship. He pursued history under renowned historians like Ray Chaudhry, Sinha, G.C. Mendis, and Lakshman Perera. Haris was an impish and humorous individual who brought a decrepit bicycle to Peradeniya. His popularity and admiration were widespread amongst students. Haris also taught the value of simplicity and frugality in life, exemplified by his ability to make a slipper out of a worn-out shoe.",
  "summary": "by Geedreck Uswatte-aratchi, B.A.(Cey.), Ph.D. (Cantab.) In my first year at Peradeniya, I lived in Room 54 on the ground floor of the first quadrangle of Ramanathan Hall. In room 55 lived the prize-winning short story writer Somapala Wijesinghe, in his second year. On the first night, I walked a bit late to dinner to […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Born and raised in Kuliyapitiya Central School",
    "Formed lasting friendship despite mockery",
    "Taught simplicity and frugality through example"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}