‘Grand Salute’ to a Legend… Dr. Vijaya Corea
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
‘Grand Salute’, a felicitation Ceremony to honour Dr. Vijaya Corea, who completed 60 grand years as a broadcaster and a media personality was held last week at the Light House Auditorium of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute.
Dr Vijaya Corea counts 60 continuous years with a microphone in hand and continues to uphold the description ‘Sri Lanka’s Legendry Broadcaster’, Compere, Actor and Media personality. ‘The Grand Salute’ is organised by the OBA Batch of 2011 of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia to pay a tribute to the Grandmaster in Broadcasting.
The distinguish guests at the ‘Grand Salute’ includes Rev. Marc Billimoria, the Warden- S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Hudson Samarasinghe, Chairman – SLBC and as a keynote Speaker Chevaan Daniel- Group Director- Capital Maharaja Group joined the ceremony.
Piyal Perera of Gypsies, Priya Peiris of La Bambas, Indarani Perera, Brian Cooray, Lincoln of Super Pink ‘N’ Purple, Annesley Malawana and Mariazelle sang the salutation song at the ceremony specially created by Priya Peiris in recognistion of Dr. Corea.
Born into an aristocratic lineage from Chilaw on the 28th of January 1943, Jawaharlal Vijaya Srikumaradas Corea, was a child to Amybelle and Dr. Sid Corea, who was the pioneer of the Homoeopathic system of medicine in Sri Lanka.
Educated at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Vijaya Corea began his career in broadcasting as a Relief Announcer at the Commercial Service of then Radio Ceylon in the year 1964 and became its CEO as Director General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in 1991.
He has The distinction of being the first ever television announcer in Sri Lanka, to stand on the BMICH stage to present at the inauguration of the 5th Non-Aligned Summit Conference in the year 1976, which was telecast ‘live’ on Global Television on July 31st 1976.
Vijaya has contributed immensely towards developing the local music industry in Sri Lanka, by identifying and actively promoting talented musicians, some of whom have gained international recognition. It was he who opened the doors to Clarence Wijewardena, Indrani and Three Sisters, Annesley Malawana, Paul Fernando, La Bambas, Dharmaratne Brothers, Mendis Foursome, La Ceylonians, Super Pink ‘N’ Purple, Luke Henricus and a host of others, enabling them to come into the limelight and make careers for themselves.
Vijaya was recognised by the State with a Gold Award at the National Media Awards in 2007, when Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake acknowledged his contribution towards uplifting the broadcasting medium in Sri Lanka, who worked hard towards this goal over a long period of time. In 2017 he was once again conferred the Award of ‘Prathibha Pranama’ after receiving special honours at the State Radio Awards Ceremony held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.
He has received numerous accolades in recognition of his unparalleled service and contribution to Radio in Sri Lanka. The awards he received referenced his phenomenal presence and influence across Radio history from the 1960’s right up to the present era.
He is also credited with having successfully engineered and implemented measures that caused a revival of the popularity and success of the SLBC’s English Service in the early nineties, during his tenure as Director General of Broadcasting.
Vijaya has also served as Director on the Board of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the National Film Corporation.He has been an active old Thomian, having served on the Executive Committee of the Old Boys Association of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia for many years, where he also edited the ‘Old Boy’ magazine for four years in continuity. He also founded the Thomian Society of Colombo in 1996, of which he is currently the Patron. He then went on to be appointed as a member of the Board of Governors of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.
Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
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