At just 26, Avishka Mario Senewiratne has already done what many spend a lifetime trying to achieve. A trained pilot, published author, historian, and now Editor-in-Chief of The Ceylon Journal, Senewiratne is fast emerging as a defining voice in Sri Lanka’s literary and historical landscape. But behind the titles lies a story of deep passion, quiet perseverance, and an unwavering love for history – and the written word.

Speaking to The Sunday Island, Avishka says his fascination with writing began at an unusually early age. “I’ve been into history and writing from the age of around seven and a half,” he says. “To be honest, I wasn’t really interested in the school curriculum. So, my mother brought in a tutor to teach me basic subjects — but in between lessons, he’d tell me stories from Sri Lankan history, from King Pandukabaya to the more recent war.

“That was the moment something clicked. I got curious. I needed to know more.”

That spark, born out of informal storytelling, eventually turned into an intellectual obsession. “At first, I used to just copy what I read. But as I grew older, I wanted to say things in my own way. That’s how writing started taking shape.”

Writing the Unwritten

One of the first major projects he took on was documenting the rich but under-explored history of his alma mater, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. “It shocked me that a 125-year-old school didn’t have a comprehensive written history,” he says. “So, I began a collaboration with Rev. Fr. Stanley Abeysekera, a former rector and historian.

“Sadly, he passed away before we could finish the book.”

Despite the loss, Avishka remained committed to the project. When wrote that book, Till the Mountains Disappear: The Story of St. Joseph’s College, he was just 22. “In fact, some tried to suppress it. But that made people more curious – they wanted to know what was in it that caused such a fuss.”

The book became an unexpected hit. “The first print sold out in six or seven days. We had to do two more prints within the same year – all sold out.”

Rediscovering Forgotten Reels

In the process of his research, Avishka stumbled upon a long-lost treasure: a 1956 film titled Little Bike Lost, produced by students and clergy at St. Joseph’s. “It was made by a Catholic priest named Noel Cruz. But what is amazing is that this film predates Rekava by Lester James Peries. It’s perhaps the first Sri Lankan film made entirely outside a studio.”

He not only traced the reel but digitised the film through the Tulana Media Unit, preserving it for future generations. “I produced a book detailing the making of that film. It took me about a year. The school history book took me six.”

After strong feedback on the first book, Avishka decided to rewrite certain sections in the second volume. “Not because the facts were wrong – but I wanted to write from a new perspective. The second book, Fruits of Virtue: The Early History of St. Joseph’s College focused more on the political and financial history of the school – how land was acquired, how buildings were funded. That side of institutional history wasn’t covered in the first one. I co-authored this book with Dr. Srilal Fernando.”

Editorial team of the Ceylon Journal

A Journal is Born

These projects eventually inspired something even bigger – the creation of The Ceylon Journal, a space to explore neglected or forgotten aspects of Sri Lankan history, culture, and society. “Is realised there wasn’t a single journal-style publication that was boths scholarly and accessible to general readers. That’s how the idea for The Ceylon Journal came about.”

Now well into its third run, the journal has quickly gained a readership among academics, students, and curious minds both in Sri Lanka and abroad. “We don’t publish just for the sake of being academic. The idea is to make history – and by extension identity – relatable and exciting.”

His writing has since moved from institutional histories to broader Sri Lankan themes, especially focusing on the British colonial and post-independence periods. “But of course, I read and write on ancient and medieval history too. My interest is wide. It’s not bounded by era or discipline.” He has recently finished writing the biography of the late Dr. Neville Fernando, which is expected to be launched in the near future.

Between Clouds and Culture

What makes Avishka’s journey even more unique is that he isn’t a full-time writer – by profession, he’s a qualified commercial pilot who works as an instructor for the Asian Aviation Centre. “Flying is demanding, just like writing. But in different ways. The mental discipline, the exposure to different people, systems and cultures – all of it feeds into my writing. And reading, in turn, is what helps me handle the pressure of flying.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also completed a degree in Global Business. “That was something I wanted to do to broaden my perspective. It also helped me with how I structure and run the journal today.”

The Road Ahead

So what fuels his passion outside of history? “Travelling. I travel a lot within Sri Lanka – mostly with friends or sometimes alone. I have very good friends across the country, except in the Eastern and Uva Provinces, unfortunately. But I’m working on that.”

Books, of course, are never far away. “I collect books. That’s something I’m very passionate about. My collection ranges from rare Sri Lankan titles to global nonfiction. I’ve been reading only nonfiction since I was about 14.”

When asked about favourite authors, he takes a moment. “From Sri Lanka, I really admire Gananath Obeyesekere – a giant of scholarship.

Also, the earlier works of K. M. de Silva, R. L. Brohier, Fr. S. G. Perera, John Penry Lewis, etc. And for Sinhala classics, Martin Wickramasinghe is in a league of his own.”

Among international writers, he lists Shakespeare, Dickens, and Dan Brown. “I never read Harry Potter,” he laughs. “That whole wave missed me. I was more into Dan Brown and the philosophical works of people like Stephen Hawking. They make you think in a different way.”

Till the Mountains Disappear: The story of St. Joseph’s College launch. Author with all former living Rectors of St. Joseph’s College in 2021.

More Than Just Ink on Paper

But for all the accolades and accomplishments, what matters to Avishka the most are the relationships he’s built along the way. “Writing and reading are tools. But the real reward is the human connection – whether it’s with an author, a reader, or a forgotten voice from 150 years ago.”

“There are so many stories in Sri Lanka that are yet to be told. My hope is to create a space – through The Ceylon Journal and my books – where more people feel inspired to dig, write, and preserve.”

As for what’s next, Avishka smiles, “There are always more stories.

Some sit in dusty archives, others in living memory. I just want to keep uncovering them – and give them the stage they deserve.”

In a world overwhelmed by noise, Avishka Mario Senewiratne reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing is a quiet, carefully crafted story – one that connects the past to the present, and maybe even shows us the way forward.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️