Upali Wijewardene
Encyclopedia
Philip Upali Wijewardene (1938–1983) was a well-known businessman in Sri Lanka
who established the Upali Group. At the time of his death, Wijewardene had branched in to newspapers, confectionery and even started a domestic air line named Upali Air
. He was killed when his private Learjet exploded in mid air on February 13, 1983.
of Cambridge University in England
.
On his return to Sri Lanka Upali commenced his business career as a Management Trainee at Lever Brothers. Thereafter, he ventured out on his own and founded the Upali Group of Companies under the sign of the eternal symbol of energy "THE SUN"
es. Within a few months, the magazine reached a circulation of 200,000 eclipsing its competitors Sittara (100,000) and Satuta (75,000). Media initially described the magazine as "romance, booze, money, travel, dreams, adventure, wild women" crammed into 16 pages. It quickly expanded into 32 pages with a different story on every page. Editor Janaka Ratnayake noted that the publication had "many topics–romance, detective, sci-fi, heroes, two pages built around movie stars, and almost a page of pen pal" (1993). All the stories were serialized and in black and white with a spot of one color.
The comic magazine fell apart after Wijewardene's death and ceased publication in 1986 with a circulation of 15,000. Ratnayake cited the failure of the magazine to Wijewardene's early death, sub-standard printing quality of the paper due to unskilled mechanics and competition from other magazines.
.
In 1980 he also won the Singapore Derby
at the Bukit Timah Race Course
in Singapore
and the Perak Derby at the Perak Turf Club
in Malaysia with his horse, named "Vaaron". He raced "General Atty" too and won many races in England. He flew to all these countries where his horses were racing, in his private aircraft. He made it a point to fly from Newmarket to Nuwara Eliya to watch his horses and ponies racing there too.
He would land in Katunayake Airport and make a quick tarmac change to his private helicopter to fly to Nuwara Eliya
. Wijewardene was responsible for reviving pony racing and thereafter, horse racing during the time there was a lull in racing
A British journalist, Matt Miller, described him in Insight Magazine: ‘Largely through bravado and wit, Philip Upali Wijewardene parlayed a bankrupt confectionery plant into Sri Lanka’s only multi national business group and one of Asia’s leading cocoa based products conglomerates. Intriguingly he accomplished his overseas empire-building at a time when his country strictly prohibited the export of currency. And now the 43-year-old commodity wizard (this was 1981) has started what could be Upali's Third Plan... He would be willing, he says with uncharacteristic restraint, to become Sri Lanka's president someday’.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
who established the Upali Group. At the time of his death, Wijewardene had branched in to newspapers, confectionery and even started a domestic air line named Upali Air
Upali Air
Upali Air is one of the defunct airlines of Sri Lanka. It was the island's first domestic airline.Upali Air was founded at the end of the 1960s by Sri Lankan entrepreneur Upali Wijewardene. This businessman was well-known for his skill in buying companies in the brink of bankruptcy and making them...
. He was killed when his private Learjet exploded in mid air on February 13, 1983.
Early life
The young Upali who lost his father at the age of l 1/2 years was brought up by his mother Anula Kalyanawathie Wijewardene. Upali was educated at Royal College, Colombo. He later graduated from Queen's CollegeQueens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
of Cambridge University in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
On his return to Sri Lanka Upali commenced his business career as a Management Trainee at Lever Brothers. Thereafter, he ventured out on his own and founded the Upali Group of Companies under the sign of the eternal symbol of energy "THE SUN"
Comics
Wijewardene entered the medium of comics with Chithra Mithra (Picture Friend) in February (1981) because it offered a large market to begin a publication without advertising and it allowed him to test his printing pressPrinting press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
es. Within a few months, the magazine reached a circulation of 200,000 eclipsing its competitors Sittara (100,000) and Satuta (75,000). Media initially described the magazine as "romance, booze, money, travel, dreams, adventure, wild women" crammed into 16 pages. It quickly expanded into 32 pages with a different story on every page. Editor Janaka Ratnayake noted that the publication had "many topics–romance, detective, sci-fi, heroes, two pages built around movie stars, and almost a page of pen pal" (1993). All the stories were serialized and in black and white with a spot of one color.
The comic magazine fell apart after Wijewardene's death and ceased publication in 1986 with a circulation of 15,000. Ratnayake cited the failure of the magazine to Wijewardene's early death, sub-standard printing quality of the paper due to unskilled mechanics and competition from other magazines.
Horse Racing
The name Upali Wijewardene was synonymous with "The Sport of Kings", Horse Racing. He was the Chairman Board of Stewards of the Sri Lanka Turf Club and was a keen turfite, who raced in Sri Lanka and England, where he won the "Royal Ascot" with "Rasa Penang" ridden by the world famous jockey Lester PiggottLester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
.
In 1980 he also won the Singapore Derby
Singapore Derby
The Singapore Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid July at Kranji Racecourse in Singapore. Contested on turf over a left-handed course, the domestic Group One race is run over a distance 2000 meters and is open to four-year-old horses only.Inaugurated in 1880 at the Serangoon...
at the Bukit Timah Race Course
Bukit Timah Race Course
The Bukit Timah Race Course was a venue for Thoroughbred horse racing in the Bukit Timah area of Singapore. Built by the Bukit Timah Turf Club, it was opened on April 15, 1933 by the Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor of Singapore...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and the Perak Derby at the Perak Turf Club
Perak Turf Club
Perak Turf Club is the major Thoroughbred horse racing facility in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. The Club is a part of the Malayan Racing Association. The Club's major annual races are:* Perak Coronation Cup* Perak Derby* Sultan Gold Vase-References:*...
in Malaysia with his horse, named "Vaaron". He raced "General Atty" too and won many races in England. He flew to all these countries where his horses were racing, in his private aircraft. He made it a point to fly from Newmarket to Nuwara Eliya to watch his horses and ponies racing there too.
He would land in Katunayake Airport and make a quick tarmac change to his private helicopter to fly to Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya , meaning "city on the plain " or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka...
. Wijewardene was responsible for reviving pony racing and thereafter, horse racing during the time there was a lull in racing
A British journalist, Matt Miller, described him in Insight Magazine: ‘Largely through bravado and wit, Philip Upali Wijewardene parlayed a bankrupt confectionery plant into Sri Lanka’s only multi national business group and one of Asia’s leading cocoa based products conglomerates. Intriguingly he accomplished his overseas empire-building at a time when his country strictly prohibited the export of currency. And now the 43-year-old commodity wizard (this was 1981) has started what could be Upali's Third Plan... He would be willing, he says with uncharacteristic restraint, to become Sri Lanka's president someday’.
Personal life
Upali was married to Lakmani Rathwatte in 1975. The marriage did not produce any children. Later, 12 years after his death, Lakmani married Nimal WelgamaExternal links
- Jaye's nephew with 5 in missing Learjet (Articles + Illustrations) Page 1, NST, The Straites Times, Singapore on 15 February 1983
- 6 Nations join search for Upali Page 1, The Straites Times, Singapore on 16 February 1983
- The Wijewardene Ancestry
- Upali Wijewardene – rare business genius