Sunday Times 2
Diplomat by day, guitarist by night
View(s):UNITED NATIONS – Madhuka Wickramarachchi, Minister Counsellor at Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, is successfully juggling two jobs simultaneously: a diplomat by day and an amateur guitarist and vocalist by night.
Musical diplomacy: Madhuka Wickramarachchi (centre) and his multinational band playing at a UN event
The manager of a new musical group called ‘Red Lines’, he is leading a band of junior UN diplomats from Europe, Asia and Latin America. The group, which is performing pro-bono, is being viewed as a much-needed musical break from hours of long-winded speeches and delicate negotiations behind closed doors.
Although only three months old, the group has already made a name for itself in diplomatic circles and performed at various events, including a Christmas Eve concert at the UN, the Valentine’s Day concert on February 14 (sponsored by Indonesia and Belgium) and Thai Break (sponsored by Thailand and Denmark).
The multi-national band includes Gio Mikeladze Prusecki (Georgia-Electric Guitar), Purna Cita (Indonesia- Drums/Vocal), Erma Rheindrayani Siswowaluyo (Indonesia- Vocal), Nawin Chirapant (Thailand – Piano) Madhuka Wickramarachchi (Sri Lanka – Acoustic Guitar/Vocal/Manager), Angie Jenie (Indonesia – Vocal), Juan Camilo Díaz (Columbia/Conga and Cajon), Tina Breiner (Denmark/Vocal) and Leonetto Matilo (East Timor/Bass Guitar).
The next big event will be held in May by the Portuguese-speaking countries at the UN. The band has been invited by the Maldives and Latvia to perform at receptions in March. One of these events will be at the UN’s Express Bar, where the group is expected to play some Jazz.
As for non-UN events, Madhuka said the band is planning to play this summer at the New York band fest which will be held in the borough of Brooklyn.