SL Lyricists unite
View(s):Bringing all lyricists in the country under one umbrella, Sri Lanka Lyricists Association was recently formed uniting lyricists from several generations. The first-ever organisation was formed at a meeting held at the New Town Hall, Colombo recently. 
Yesteryear lyricists like D. C. Jayasinghe who penned songs for C. T. Fernando and others like Wimaladasa Perera, D. B. T. Edirisinghe, Hector Wijayasiri, Jayantha Kalupahana, Tissa Dias have joined with Bandula Jayasinghe, Daya de Fonseka and Amila Thenuwara representing the new generation.
For the first time, the office bearers were selected as follows. Veteran poet Rathnasri Wijesinghe and Nilar N, Cassim are joint Presidents, George Robsons de Silva- Secretary, Manuranga Wijesekara-assistant secretary and Bandula Nanayakkarawasam- the treasurer.
The moderators of the association are Ven. Rambukkara Siddhartha Thero, Saman Chandranath Weerasinghe, and committe members are Geethanath Kudaligama, Sunil Yogendra, Shehan Galahitiyawa, Asanka Ruwan Sagara, Sampath Fernandopulle, Ravindra Samaraperuma, Indika Appurala, Prithi Randeniya, Shamila Housain, Upali Bandara Weerasekara, Yapa Bandara Seneviratne, Lasitha Jayaneththi Arachchi, Rasika D. Duminda,, Aradhana Ekanayake and Chanaka Jayasekara. Ruwan Nanditha, Vimalaka Muhandhiram, Saman Priyadharshana, Rohana Hettiarachchi and Bandula Jagoda are in the organising committee and media coordinators senior journalist Rodney Vidanapathirana and Anton Fernando and Sathyajith Lakmal for digital media. The main coordinator of the association is singer Keerthi Pasquel.
Plans are underway to expand the association and its membership and to organise number of events in the future.
From L to R, George Robson, Rathnasri Wijesinghe, Nilar N. Cassim, Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Manuranga Wijesekara and Dilan Gamage