GALLE : K.U.G. Somapala, a retired school principal and veteran provincial journalist, passed away on Tuesday at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle due to a brief illness. He was 86 years old at the time of his death.
Somapala graduated from the Balapitiya Teacher Training College and subsequently taught at a number of schools in Ratnapura, Baddegama, and Akmeemana. Thereafter, as a school principal, he served at the Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya in Akmeemana and the Ukawatta Maha Vidyalaya in Galle.
Somapala was a leading activist who struggled constantly for media rights and freedom as a member of Southern Province Media Centre (SPMC). Moreover, he was a popular trade unionist who was very active in related activities in the country.
The body is at his residence at Manigewatta in Uluwitike, Galle. The funeral will be held today, at the Akmeemana Crematorium at 4:00 pm.
