Launch of the English Edition of Gotabaya and My Cover Design

Date: 06 September 2020
Location: Kularatne Hall, Ananda College, Colombo
Book: Gotabaya
Author: Major General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired)
My Contribution: Cover illustration and layout for both the Sinhala and English editions

6 September 2020 marked a special moment in my creative career. On this day, the English translation of Gotabaya, written by then Defence Secretary Major General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired), was launched at the Kularatne Hall of Ananda College in Colombo. His book Paathalayo was also launched at the same event. Then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other invited guests attended the ceremony. Army.lk

This publication has a special place in my portfolio because I designed the covers of both the Sinhala and English editions of Gotabaya. My contribution is officially credited inside the English edition as "Cover illustration and layout by: Isura Wickramarachchi (Desa)." Seeing my name printed within the publication alongside my design work made this an important milestone in my career as a graphic designer.

The Sinhala edition had been published earlier, while the English translation was launched on 6 September 2020. The English edition was translated by Deepthi Horagoda and published by Vijitha Yapa Publications. President of Sri Lanka

Being present at the ceremony and seeing a publication carrying my design work officially launched by its author was a memorable experience. Major General Kamal Gunaratne also signed my personal copy of the book, adding another personal significance to the occasion.

For me, this project represented more than simply designing a book cover. It became a permanent part of my professional portfolio, with my work and name formally recorded in the publication itself. Having my design used for both the Sinhala and English editions makes Gotabaya one of the memorable book design projects in my creative journey.