Cultural personality and journalist Kamal Lohani passed away. He died of coronavirus (Covid-19) at 10 am on Saturday (June 20) while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sheikh Russell Gastroliver Institute and Hospital in Mohakhali. 

He was 65 years old.

Confirming the matter, Kamal Lohani's son Sagar Lohani wrote in a Facebook status, ‘We couldn't hold on. Kamal Lohani left '.

This great cultural warrior of the country was suffering from various problems due to old age for a long time.

Kamal Lohani was born on 26 June 1934 at Santala village of Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj. Although known as Kamal Lohani, his full name was Abu Naeem Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Khan Lohani. He started journalism with the daily Millat. Since then he has worked in important positions in Azad, Sangbad, Purbodesh and Daily Barta. He has also served as the President of Dhaka Journalists Union.

Kamal Lohani has twice served as the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. He also served as the president of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi and the editor of Chayanat for four years.

His Excellency President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their condolences on his death.

The President said that besides journalism, Kamal Lohani has made a huge contribution to our great language movement, liberation struggle and liberation war. He was a pioneer in the development of Bengali culture and the spirit of the liberation war, including the cultural movement. In his death, the country lost a great journalist and cultural figure. His death is an irreparable loss to the cultural scene of the country.

The President prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep grief over the death of Ekushey Medal-winning journalist, eminent cultural personality and heroic freedom fighter Kamal Lohani.
In her condolence message, the Prime Minister said Kamal Lohani has played a leading role in the Bengali language movement, freedom and independence struggle. As an idealistic and virtuous man, he was a leading figure in the movement for the establishment of the ideology and non-communal consciousness of the great liberation war and for the development of the culture of the country.

Sheikh Hasina further said, “We have lost a progressive personality and an extraordinary warrior of non-communal consciousness.|

The Prime Minister prayed for the forgiveness of the soul of the deceased and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.