The Hassina and Deeptha Leelarathna Photographic Collection

by Prach Prasertwit, Larry Kushner Fellow for Photographic Preservation, first-year graduate student in the UCLA MLIS program - April 18, 2023

The Hassina and Deeptha Leelarathna Photographic Collection is an invaluable historical archive that offers a glimpse into the lives of two Sri Lankan immigrants who made significant contributions to the Sri Lankan community in the United States. Moving to California in the late 1970s, Hassina and Deeptha Leelarathna founded the first Sri Lankan newspaper, the Sri Lankan Express, in the U.S. The collection, consisting of over 800 color images from 1977 to 1985, covers their early years in the U.S., their travels across Sri Lanka, and their involvement in Sri Lankan media and culture.

One notable aspect of the collection is its documentation of the Leelarathnas' involvement in Sri Lankan media. In addition to their newspaper, the Leelarathnas also ran a bilingual radio program called Tharanga. The program featured famous Sri Lankan musicians, including Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, and Jothipala. The collection includes photographs of an interview between Deeptha Leelarathna and the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranasinghe Premadasa, which took place three years before the Prime Minister's first official visit to the U.S. in April of 1983. These photographs offer a unique insight into the Leelarathnas' contributions to Sri Lankan media in the U.S. and their interactions with prominent figures in Sri Lankan politics.

The collection also contains extensive documentation of the Leelarathnas' travels across Sri Lanka. The photographs capture many notable landmarks, such as Sigiriya Rock and the Mahathupa of Anuradhapura, as well as images of Sri Lankan culture, including traditional Kamdyan dance and beauty pageants. The photographs of Sri Lanka offer a fascinating glimpse into the country's rich history and cultural heritage, and they provide a unique perspective on the Leelarathnas' experiences traveling through their home country.

Moreover, the Leelarathnas' passion for celebrating their fellow Sri Lankans is evident in the collection. They dedicated an entire column of their newspaper to celebrating the achievements of Sri Lankans in the U.S., and the collection includes over 100 images of Sri Lankans in the U.S., including dozens of portraits of celebrating Sri Lankans. These photographs demonstrate the Leelarathnas' commitment to their community and their desire to showcase the accomplishments of their fellow Sri Lankan immigrants.

The Hassina and Deeptha Leelarathna Photographic Collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Sri Lankan culture and history, as well as the experiences of Sri Lankan immigrants in the U.S. during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The collection provides a unique and intimate perspective on the lives of the Leelarathnas and their community during this period. The photographs capture important moments in Sri Lankan history and culture, as well as the Leelarathnas' contributions to Sri Lankan media and their commitment to celebrating their fellow Sri Lankan immigrants. 

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Post tagged as: bradley center, photographs, united states, international