The Sri Lanka’s first female television news anchor and a pioneering figure in broadcasting, Sumana Nellampitiya, who had been battling illness, passed away at the age of 80.

Born on May 23, 1944, in Colombo, Nellampitiya's early education at Nugegoda Mixed School, Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda, and Gotami Balika Vidyalaya set the stage for her remarkable career. She joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in November 1967, where her distinctive voice soon became familiar to listeners across the country.

Nellampitiya broke barriers as one of the few women in radio during her time and later made history as the country’s first female television news anchor. Over her five-decade career, she left an indelible mark on both radio and television, producing and hosting beloved programs like "Pibidena Ga'yaka Parapura," "Forens Vasana 7," and "Ovalteen Pana Podi."

Beyond her work as an announcer, Nellampitiya was a vital force in program production and played a significant role in promoting Sri Lankan culture internationally, conducting Sinhala-language programs that resonated with audiences around the globe.