By, Claude Fernando ,Brampton, Canada

I still remember that mournful day. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  my daily routine to listen to the news aired by SLBC.(National radio). TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  particular day wasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Feb.16^th 1988. I turned on my radio, as usual to hear the mid day Sinhala news by 12.45 pm.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The newscaster(I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t remember his/her name) suddenly interrupted the reading &remainedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  silence for about 2-3 minutes. I had anƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  curiosity, why the news reading was put on hold. Out of the blue another familiar voice broke the stillness. He Premakirthi De Alwis, who made a most sorrowful ,heart-breakingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  announcement to the whole nation. It was about the brutalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  assassination of famous film star ,honest politicianƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Vijaya Kumarathunga. I had no words to articulate after hearing that stunning news. PremakirthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s emotional& excitableƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  voice clearly divulged that fearful & unimaginable message to the peace loving people in the country.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Yes,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  another miserable day came exactlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  one year, five months& fifteen days later. It was July 31^st 1989. State-run radio disclosed a mostƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  terrible, shocking& heartbroken news in itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s 6.00 am. news bulletin. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s an unbelievable headline to hear that the prominent news caster who stated about the VijayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s death, was also gunned down by an unidentifiedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  gang.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  I stood transfixed& poignant eyed to make out that horrible news.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  True, Premakirthi De Alwis was shot dead!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  by merciless people at the age of 42.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  According to the media reports, they knocked the door of poor PremakirthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s half built house in HomagamaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  in the dreadful midnight of July 31^st 1989.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  GrabbedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  forcibly that humble person( innocent as a butterfly) out of the house under the cover of darknessƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for unknown reason while helpless NirmalaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  young wife of Premakirthi was weeping, screaming& appealingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  them not to harm to his husband. But heinous group ignored her cry& destroyed PremƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s invaluable life.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  (Unfortunately not a single ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Good SamaritanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in the neighborhood came forward to rescue him.)

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His corpse was found nearby ditch in that area by the astonished residents next day morning. Peaceful society together with entire nation raised their eyebrows with tearful eyes, sorrowful heart& confused mind to hear that most sad, inexplicable& patheticƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  incident occurred in the country.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Samaraweera Mudalige Don Premakirthi De Alwis was born in Colombo on June 03^rd 1947. His primary education obtained from Maligakanda Maha Vidyalaya. Then entered to the prestigious Ananda College in Maradana. The young PremƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  wasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  one of the brilliant students in AnandaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  College &became an editor of annual Sinhala magazine ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-AnandayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as well asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  co-editor of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Damma JayanthiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ monthly newspaper published by the College. He belonged to the same generation of Anandian who did the academic work with him. They were Bandula Padmakumara(current chairmen of Lake House &renowned journalist),Ranjith Lal Silva(Director of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-NimwallalaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ film), well-knownƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  journalist A.D Ranjith Kumara etc.(ex editor of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SarasaviyaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ weekly newspaper).

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  PremakirthƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  father was an employee of Railway Department(CGR) therefore he intendedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  his sonƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  to be joined to the same place after his retirement. But young son never showed any interest to work in CGR, insteadƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  exhibited his enthusiasm towards Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka BroadcastingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  co-operation to become a radio artist. Always imitated the voices& presenting styles of then legendary radio announcers such as D.M Kolambage, Karunarathna Abeysekara,Sarath Wimalaweera,Chithrananda Abeysekara,Thevis Guruge, Prosfer Fernando,Thilaka Sudarman De Silva etc. His father quickly realized& understoodƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  his sonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s artistic talents& abilities.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Then decided to meet Veteran Journalist Arthur U Amarasaena ,ex. editor of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-VisithuraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ weekly cinema newspaper published by ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-dawasaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ group. Young Premakirthi had gotten the job in ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-VisithuraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as a feature writer, as being an experiencedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  journalist in the media circle Arthur U AmarasenaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  virtually identifiedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  young PremƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s hidden capabilities& talents.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In the meantime Premakirthi acquired a golden opportunity to join the Radio Ceylon on December 17^th 1967 as a relief announcer. At that time he was guided by his mentor late Karunarathna Abeysekara,( anƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  erudite wordsmith, lyricist &excellent announcer of Radio Ceylon). Premakirthi showed his exceptional skills as script writer, news reader & then slowly rose from there towards progress. He penned his maiden song in 1969 ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-hada puda asune senehasa mawuneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ sung by Rupa Indumathi& Malkanthi Peiris Nandasiri. In the same year He got a chance to write his first film songƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-parana coat parana coatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ sung by late Freddy Silva for the film named ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-lokuma hinawaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ directed byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  late K.A.W.Perera. Gradually Premakirthi became popular& marketable lyricist & wrote many more songs to the famous vocalists.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Those days avidƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  listeners were attached only to the National radio, as no other TV or private radio channels were functioningƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  like today. Ipso factoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  we used to listen to the lovely songs from the radio operated by SLBC. Premakirthi penned so many significant lyrics for famous songstersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  which deeply touched in our hearts. His creative writings were themed of with love, affection, friendship, ethical obligation, addiction of gambling(back the horses)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  as well as comical/ satirical

Among them are ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-adaraye ulpatah woo ammaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚kurullanta gee kiyannaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚sihina sathak dutuwemi mama,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚thani tharuweƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ (Victor Rathnayaka),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Me nagaraya ma obaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚eka mohothak,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚oba dedunna akasayeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Mervin Perera)ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢samanalaya mala haƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Edward Jayakody),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚bindunu pemataƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Rohana Weerasinghe,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Mal tharuna samayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Gunadasa Kapuge) ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚aatha ran wimanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Adaraneeya neranjanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ratakin ehaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Priya sooriyasena),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚miniseku pita nagi asaruwekiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚banen banda rajarata pedesinƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Sunil Edirisinghe),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Surangeeta duka hithunaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Nanda Malini),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚eda raa guwanthotupaledee maƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ma ha edaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Ma nisa oba,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Sundarathwayen piriƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Milton Mallawaarachchi),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚sithin ma nosaleeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(T.M.Jayarathna),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ananthayata ma igilenaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Srimathi Thilakarathna),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Maath ekkala amanapawa wee dabaraƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Malini Bulathsinhala),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚kakille rajjuruwoƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚handa mama udin yatheƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢paan kirithaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Freddy Silva) &many more beautiful songs that were highly embraced by listeners which areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  still echoing in our hearts.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In 1974 he was promoted as grade 2 announcer &program producer. Then he hadƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  marvelous chances to approach to the listeners. Presented most popular different type of programs such as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-sanida sadayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm with other announcers),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Sonduru sewanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Monday to Friday 5 pm to 6pm),ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚sarisara puwathƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(once a week). those days listeners were not able to connect the live programs over the phone. But PremakirthiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  experienced that new concept& initiated ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to connect the listeners on hisƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚sarisara puwath ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  &chattedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  with them on live. It was really successful & highlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  captivated by the radio fans during that time.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Although Prem was gradually rising at the zenith of the popularity, he too had to encounter the kind of political revengeful ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-guillotineƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ during the 1977 era. He was interdicted &sent compulsory leave for no reason by then arrogant ,envyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  controllers of the SLBC who didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t tolerate his gleaming fame. They laid baseless, fabricated charges & appointed a special ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-disciplinary committeeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to probeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  so-called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-allegationsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ against him. Anyway the board of inquiry found him not guilty for any of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-chargesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ &exonerated him forthwith. Therefore Prem was reinstated for the same position by the management &advised himƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  not to mention anything about his unfair, unethical interdiction to the listeners &urged him to resume his work as usual. He entered to the studio while live program was being aired, with annoyed state of mind. Actually Prem lost his rag at that moment& pulled the chair very fast upon entering,( which was kept besideƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the table). It fell on the ground& making a loud noise through the airingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  program ThenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  talkative Premakirthi approached to the microphoneƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  &called to the listeners by using his common sense, as saying ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-samawanna hithawathuni mama Premakirthi de Alwi nawathath oba hamuwata awaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ,ea obata asunu vihsala shabdaye putuwa peralena shabdaya misak mama vatuna shabdaya nemeyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(Dear listeners, I beg your apologize , IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m Premakirthi back again after long silence. You may have heard a big noise just now. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the din of chair falling not the sound of me toppling on the ground. IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m always straight forward).

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Again he was transferred to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-rajarata sewayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚radio station in Anuradapura, where he met &made a good companionship with late Gunadasa Kapuge(already got punishment transfer to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-rajarata sewayaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚then),Ranbanda Senavirathna,Karunarathana Divulgane,Rathna Sri Wijesinghe,Jayathilaka Bandara,Mahinda Dissanayaka, Swarna Sri Bandara etc. (As far as I know Premakirthi who made suggestion to Karunarathna Divulgane to use his last name as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-DIVULGANEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚,(one of the names of village in Anuradapura district where present Governor of North-Central Province& popular singer, Karunarathana Divulgane was grown& became an inhabitant).

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Premakirth had given a magnificentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  contribution as a compere for Victor RathnayakaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SAƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ the greatest single song show, performing the introduction of meanings of the songs sung in that extravaganza.(late KDK Darmawaradana&Kularathna Ariyawansa was another partners who did that task with Prem).ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  When the visual media became popular in early 80ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s in Sri Lanka he had gottenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  many opportunities to engage in various TV productions. Specially he penned nice unforgettable songs for the children programs named ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-dostara Honda hithaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚directed by veteran artist Titus Thotawatta. (we still remember those popular songs).Prem was invited to present another well-liked production of National TV, named ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-AndunaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(the program whichƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  focused on unjustice &unethical things happened in the society &made revelations to the people as well asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  made aware of the relevant authorities for remedial solutions).Certainly It was one of the most marketable programs among the people because he presented ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-AndunaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ showing only his ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-both eyesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(not full face) on TV screen. Viewers who watched that &wondered who the presenter was in that program.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Every Sunday PremakirthiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  used to appear in the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-breakfast showƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚in Rupawahini with other English ,Tamil presenters &made an enjoyable, pleasurable& pleasant morningƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  for everyone.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Had Premakirthi still alive he would be at the age ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  64ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  today .If so he could have been an exemplary example& a mentor for the current novice radio& TV presenters of private channels( some of them talk neither Sinhala nor English in Sinhala programs) & much more useful media tactics to learn how to speak in polite way & approach to the listeners or viewersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  through the faultless language while respecting our greatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  mother tongue. Also being an expert lyricist He could have been writing many more lovable& inspiringƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  lyrics for the common people through the renowned artists.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  For sure, his sudden demise was an irreparable loss NOT ONLY for his loving wife Nirmala, daughter Surangi, son Poorna Sampath BUT ALSO the people who loved his significant lyrics &admired hisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  remarkable skills.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Premakirthi De AlwisƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  extraordinary creations could never ever be erased or deleted by any forcesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  as they were almost deeply deposited in their minds &engraved in their hearts forever There is no any argument or debate regarding this.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In conclusion I would like to write the last line of very famous songƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚Me nagaraya ma oba muna gasunu nagarayaiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ which he composed for late vocalist Mervin Perera.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Jeewithayama Heenayakei kiya SithenawaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚(I feel that whole life is a dream)ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚