Obit

Ben Gamos, 85

JOURNALIST Ben Gamos died in his sleep at his residence in Malolos, Bulacan on  September 7. He was 85.

Gamos was the contributing editor and editorial consultant of MetroNEWS Bulacan, the province’s oldest english weekly based in Malolos.

Fondly called “Mang Ben,” Gamos is a lifetime member of the National Press Club of the Philippines and the Pampanga Press Club, and one of the founding officers of the Bulacan Press Club.

His long career as a journalist included his stint as stringer for the Associated Press,  defense reporter of the Manila Chronicle and correspondent for Times Journal and People’s journal for which he covered the Central Luzon beat .

Gamos’ remains lie in state at his residence in Del Carmen Village, Barangay Sumapang Matanda, Malolos City, Bulacan. Interment will be on Sunday, 13 September.

He is survived by his sons Percival, Gabriel and Emilio, daughters-in-laws Flor and Beth, and grandchildren Aldrin, Gabrielle and Paul Angelo.

Priyantha Rathnayake, 46

A wild elephant attack in Minneriya, Sri Lanka killed provincial media correspondent Priyantha Rathnayake on September 8. He was 46.

Rathnayake was covering the human-elephant conflict in the village of Pasiya Wewa when he was attacked. A witness claimed Rathnayake stumbled and the animal trampled him. He was rushed to the Hingurakgoda Divisional Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. He suffered serious head injuries.

Rathnayake was a reporter for News 1^st and was recognized as the best U-Reporter from the Polonnaruwa District.

According to a report by News 1^st, Rathnayake “was passionate about his dream of becoming a journalist. His dream was realized when he joined News 1^st U-report family”.

Sri Lanka’s Daily News reported that Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilake would donate a house to Rathnayake’s wife and three children.