125th Anniversary of the Buddhist Flag

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication,
     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

It is being organized to celebrate the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of the Buddhist Flag worldwide on the 28th of April, 2010.  The inaugural ceremony of the Buddhist Flag designed and introduced by Sri Lanka was held on April 28, 1885 on a Vesak Full Moon day an Adhi Vesak day. The special feature this year is the coincidence of the 125th anniversary and Adhi Vesak Full Moon happens to be on the very same day.

In view of media publicity 125th Anniversary of the Buddhist flag has been scheduled to be celebrated at Deepadutharamaya, Kotahena.

Sri Lanka with nearly 500 year long history as a leading nation of Theravada Buddhism was ruled by three Western Colonial Powers since 1505 until 1948 when Independence was gained from the British rule. Sri Lankan Buddhists had to launch an island wide campaign to secure Buddhism from external interference by repeated foreign invasion. During 1850s various local groups of powerful movements rose up hand in hand by explicit campaign over tendency for the renaissance of Buddhism.

Power of solo exhibitions

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication,
     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

The business community in Sri Lanka is enchanted to hear that the Sri Lanka Expo Exhibition would revive again. This pleasing news was made by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Janaka Ratnayake recently.He emphasized that the Expo Exhibition in 2011 will be organized to be a grandiose display of local productive skills on par with the international market.

The export community is highly complacent of the opportunity to participate at this exhibition after a lapse of 13 years. EDB leadership has taken a remarkable step towards a new era utilizing the maximum benefit of the peaceful environment created in the country.

The National Development Program at its ten year development framework specifically emphasizes that Government continuously supports for exports through improving market access, encouraging export diversification promoting backward integration and value addition. The implementation of this solo exhibition on a large scale will help build promotion of exports to bring Mahinda Chinthanaya a reality.

Solo exhibitions are categorized under trade fairs as a promotional tool. A Trade Fair is traditionally defined as a temporary market place that encourages people to gather to purchase products and a meeting point for buyers and sellers to deal with their business transactions. On a commercial point of view it is appropriate to define as a market place with profitable opportunities advantageous for both buyers and sellers. Today a trade fair is recognized as a place of facilitation not only as a meeting point for buyers and sellers but also for producers and consumers.

Dr Lester James Peiris - Father of Sri Lankan Cinema celebrates 90th Birthday

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication,
     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Dr Lester James Peiris
Father of Sri Lankan Cinema

The pioneer who dedicated his wide knowledge of cinematography for amelioration of cinema industry reaches 90th birthday on April 05, 2009. The inestimable contribution made by this great son of Sri Lanka to bring Sinhala cinema to the pinnacle of its glory is historical. At the time Indian film industry had the influence in Sri Lanka monopolizing their power of technology on production of Sri Lankan films, the cultural background was almost South Indian.

Sri Lankan producers were inclined to produce films on commercial basis caused by the want of technical infrastructure. It was this young cameraman contemplated to exert his cinematic know how toward resilience of the film industry by his influence of productions depicting indigenous culture. He is the world acclaimed cinematographer Dwho established the global image of Sri Lanka in cinema industry.

Lester James Peiris was born to a well reputed Roman Catholic family in Dehiwala on April 05, 1919 residence of which was known as ‘Sinhagiri’ His father Dr James Francis Peiris was a medical doctor graduated in Scotland. Ms Ann Gertrude Winifred Jayasuriya a student of St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo was his mother who became the first girl to pass the Senior Cambridge Examination from the same school. He had two brothers Ivan & Noel and a sister Erica.

Lata Mangeshkar - celebrates her 80th birthday

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, 

     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India, turns 80 on September 28, 2009. The contribution made by this Queen of Indian Music with her immaculate golden voice is ineffable. Most Indians believe she is the national treasure of the Indian nation gifted by God. Starting from scratch in 1942, she rose to the loftiest heights in her musical career during the last six decades. She has made history by recording songs in more than 1000 films in 20 regional languages of India. Her sensational voice made Sri Lanka Matha immortal, a vastly popular song. It was recorded with Mohdeen Baig in the Sinhala film Seda Sulang (Stormy Wind) released on June 24, 1955. The number of songs recorded during the period 1948 to 1987 amounts to nearly 30,000 as released by the film authorities. Indications are that she has done nearly 40,000 songs throughout her career.   

Lata was born to a Marathi speaking family in Maharashtra, Madya Pradesh, India, on 28th September 1929. Pandith Dinanath Mangeshkar was her father. Dinanath’s second wife, Shudhamati was her mother. In recognition of his native village Mangesh in Goa India, he changed his ancestral family name Hardikar to Mangeshkar. Lata’s three younger sisters Asha, Usha and Meena are also singers while her younger brother, Hridayanath Mangeshkar, is a musician. Lata’s second sister later became the world renowned playback singer Asha Bonsle.   

Rukmani Devi –Nightingale Queen of the Silver Screen

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, 

     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Rukmani Devi
Nightingale Queen of the Silver Screen

 Thirty (30) years have lapsed since the startling news on the unendurable demise of the acclaimed the Nightingale Queen of Silver Screen shocked the entire country on October 28, 1978. Every Sri Lankan around the world was emotionally disturbed by this horrifying accident that stilled the colorful life of a legendary jewel worthy of treasure. She was the beauty queen, cynosure of all eyes indisputably the Nightingale Queen of Nightingale Queen of the Silver Screen. The brimful gratitude disported by the Sri Lankan citizenry paying their highest tribute in commemoration of the 30th Death Anniversary of Rukmani.

She became popular in the theatrical arena by the name of Rukmani Devi even though her congenital name was Daisy Rasamma Daniels. It has been the common practice in Sri Lanka and India to introduce the artist by a prognostic name depending on talents. It is believed that it was her father who introduced the portentous name Rukmani Devi to this future Singing Queen of the Silver Screen.

Some people are of the view that her music teacher, singer H.W.Rupasinghe master introduced this insightful name by her magnificent performance of many inborn talents. Another disputing argument is that this name was presented by Jayantha Weerasekera and Michael Sannas Liyanage two famous personalities on the stage. Rukmani Vasundara was another unconfirmed name rejected by her father.

Susil Premaratne - An Artiste of All Times

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication, 

     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

 Susil Premaratne 

The renowned creative artist of beauty 

and popular playback singer

Susil Premaratne the renowned creative artist of beauty and popular playback singer is no more.He was a great performer skilled with varieties of talents rarely found in the field of Arts. The vacuum left by the demise of an artiste of his caliber can never be replaced.This veteran artist not only entertained the public by his deep melodious voice singing in his own unique style but also enthralled the people with his fascinating paintings of natural beauty and comic stories (Chithra Katha)."Ru rese andina lese", "Somnasa ho santhapaya hamuwe" and many of his songs recorded in 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s are still spellbound household favorites in Sri Lanka.

At the age of 16 Susil Premaratna was first introduced to Mr U.A.S.Perera known as Siri Aiya of Radio Ceylon by late Mr. Herbert M. Seneviratne.He associated with famous drama writer C.A. Fonseka, Singer V.P. Leelawathie and Violinist Vincent de Alwis at Radio Ceylon and became a regular artiste at Radio Ceylon (SLBC).The famous song Namawu Namawu recorded with the then popular singers Kingsley Jayasekera, Priscilla Opatha & Leela was true to form his cordiality with his associates.He was promoted as 'A' Grade artiste at the audition held by Mr Ratanashanka the Indian Musician assisted to Radio Ceylon in early 1950s.In the latter part of 1940s Mr. Gabriel the Manager of Recording Department, Cargills Ltd influenced by his musical skills invited Susil for recordings with H.M.V. Records widely recognized publishers of music at the time.In 1950 it was Susil who introduced Rita Jenevi Fernando as Lata the future Nightingale of Music in Sri Lanka since her voice was richly melodious as Lata Mangeshkar of India. He observed the innate talents of Lata and encouraged her to achieve her ambitious goal in singing.

Latha Walpola – Nightingale of Sri Lanka

By T.K Premadasa

    Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication,     Sri Lanka Export Development Board

Latha Walpola
Nightingale of Sri Lanka

In the year 2007, Latha Walpola – celebrates 60th Anniversary of her reign in singing overwhelmingly rising to the highest echelons as the incontrovertible Nightingale of Sri Lanka.

Latha, born and bred in Galkissa emerged her inborn talents of singing as a leading singer in a Church Choir. Known by her childhood name as Rita Jenevi Fernando she was introduced to then Radio Ceylon (Now-Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation) at the age of 13 years with her mother’s permission by her family friend C.A.Fonseka, a popular Radio dramatist at the time. She started her career in playing different characters in C.A,Fonseka’s radio dramas very popular from late 50s to mid 60s. He was the father of Radio artist C.D.Fonseka.

In 1947 she made her debut in singing “Kandulu Denethe Vehena”, song composed by Vincent de Alwis, the versatile violinist at Radio Ceylon and sang duets with him in his Sarala Gee Programs conducted by Radio Ceylon. Observing her congenital talents and skills Vincent de Alwis introduced her to Susil Premaratne and C.T.Fernando. “Namo Mariyanee” recorded by her in 1948 with her melodious voice became a household favorite in Sri Lanka showered upon with outstanding success. “Seethala Duruthu Mahe”, “Mihiri Suwanda Vihiduwa” “Nunwa Jaya Handa Pem”, “Soka Nege Den”, “Oba Prema Raja Mage” and many other songs recorded in 1948, 1949 and 1950 became highly popular together with Carroll songs composed by Fr Mercelyn Jayakody.