Lassana Printers & Publishers: A Historical Overview
Lassana Printers & Publishers is a privately owned printing and publishing enterprise located in Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka, with a longstanding association with the development of local literary and cultural production.
We believe that beautiful stories deserve beautiful presentation. With passion for books and dedication to quality, we continue our journey to help more writers publish with confidence.
History
Mr. Nimal Ariyawansa Perera, who entered the field of book publishing in 1962 while studying at the University of Peradeniya, Kandy Sri Lanka; was entering to the Publishing field with “Sahithya Sangrahaya” one of the leading Education book to Published. Initially, many of his works were printed and published by well-known publishing companies in Sri Lanka. An example of this is the collection of short stories written in 1963 titled “Katu Atthaka Malak” which was the first published book by Maradana-Dayawansa Jayakody and Company, which is at the top of the publishing sector in Sri Lanka today. The number of books published over the past 40 years is more than 500. Every book printed by ” is a high-quality book selected to ensure that “reading makes a person complete” and out of these, a number of children’s stories and school subject books have received approval from the Educational Book Publishing Board as school library books. Among them, we can proudly say that the “Lassana (Beautiful) Mul Potha” Sinhalese Alphabet Book” and “Beautiful ABC” books alone have been used to teach the letters of more than 10M Sri Lankan children over the past 40 years.
The founder of Beautiful Books Publishing, Mr. Nimal Ariyawansa Perera, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of Lanka, Peradeniya in 1964, is an old boy of Wellampitiya Vidyawardena College and Kumara Maha College. His first book, “Sahitya Sangrahaya”, was published in 1962. Also he was able to publish the books “Sahitya Vicharaya” and “Katu Atthaka Malak” in 1963 and 1964. A magazine called “Chinthana” was also published by bringing together the universities of Vidyodaya, Vidyalankara and Peradeniya. After graduating, he worked as a teacher at the “Veugoda Vidyathilaka Pirivena” and published the book “Art of Sinhala and Sanskrit Drama”. Later, while working at the Sri Lanka College in Maradana, Colombo 10, he managed to publish 11 volumes of the “Bharatha-Lanka History Research Magazine”. Later, while working as a teacher at the “Buddhist Ladies College in Colombo 7 and the Stafford Women’s College, he also worked as a freelance writer for the Janatha newspaper. Mr. Nimal wrote the feature “Dannoo Danithi” under the name “Triloka Pujitha”. Due to the opposition from the committee, he stopped the series of articles and published a weekly series of articles on drama criticism in the “Dinamina”. He joined the Lanka Board in 1966 and served as a regional manager and examiner of the examination.
Origins and Establishment
The origins of Lassana Printers & Publishers can be traced to 1967 , when it operated under the name “Lassana Poth Kade”, a book and magazine outlet known for the distribution of the Sinhala-language magazine Lassana. This early phase marked the firm’s initial engagement with Sinhala literary culture. Although formal documentation of its transition into a fully established printing and publishing house is limited, the company is verifiably active as a commercial printer and publisher by the early 1970s, operating primarily from Wellampitiya
Publishing Activity and Cultural Significance
During the late twentieth century, Lassana Printers & Publishers emerged as a notable contributor to Sri Lanka’s print culture through its publication of works by respected literary and cultural figures. Among its significant publications is “Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi” (1982), a collection of songs authored by the eminent broadcaster and poet Chitrananda Abeysekera. Such publications positioned the firm within the broader landscape of Sinhala literary dissemination.
In addition to original works, the firm has been involved in the production of translated materials, some of which have received international recognition, thereby extending the reach of Sri Lankan literary content beyond national boundaries.
Role within the Printing and Publishing Industry
Lassana Printers & Publishers has functioned as a commercial printing and publishing service provider for a wide range of local authors, institutions, and organizations. Its activities have included collaborations with schools, educational seminars, and cultural exhibitions across Sri Lanka, contributing to educational initiatives and the promotion of literary engagement at the community level.
The firm also achieved popular recognition through the production of Vesak greeting cards, which became widely circulated and culturally significant during the latter decades of the twentieth century.
Why Choose Us?
Our books were designed to teach valuable life lessons — encouraging young readers to become wise thinkers, use their brains, learn from mistakes, and grow into responsible individuals.
Innovation with Experience
Value-Driven Content
Future-Focused Approach
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