A full-length Sinhala language biography of Sir Don Baron Jayatilaka, “Baron; Magaerunu Maga”, written by senior journalist, Lakshaman Piyasena was launched recently. The launching of the biography of Sir Baron, the first Representative of Sri Lanka to India, coincides with the 80th anniversary of the establishment of modern Indo-Lanka relations. “Baron; Magaerunu Maga” is a publication of the Pathfinder Foundation. The Foundation could be contacted at pm@pathfinderfoundation.org .

The year 2022 marks the 80th anniversary of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) sending Sir D.B. Jayatilaka as its first Representative to India in 1942. Launching of the biography of Sir D.B. Jayatilaka comes as the latest of a series of activities that were organized to mark this important anniversary.

Earlier this year, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi named its Chancery Building after Sir D.B. Jayatilaka in February, and a large portrait of Sir Baron was unveiled at the Chancery building of the High Commission in August. In early November, a bronze bust of Sir Baron was also unveiled at the High Commission premises.

Sir Don Baron Jayatilaka, Statesman, Buddhist Educationalist, Barrister, pioneering literary figure of his era and one time Home Minister of Ceylon, had graduated from the Universities of Calcutta and Oxford. Sir Baron had first come to India to negotiate food shipments to Ceylon by the Government of India, and was later appointed as the first Representative of the Government of Ceylon to New Delhi.

The appointment of Sir D.B. Jayatilaka as Ceylon’s Representative to India, which pre-dates the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between independent India and Sri Lanka in 1948, stands testimony to the very special bond and close relationship that the two countries have been enjoying since time immemorial.

“Baron; Magaerunu Maga” outlines the life and times of this illustrious and historical character, while providing deep insights into the socio-political milieu in which Sir Baron emerged as a leader. The book also reviews the significance of Sir D.B. Jayatilaka’s role in the pre-Independence Sri Lankan political scenario.