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Wednesday, 16 March 2011

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Announcing the supremacy

He is an individual who has acquired the knowledge and versatility of an announcer from academic and social spheres. A solid and uninterrupted service of 31 years at SLBC has brought him fame and great reputation as a veteran announcer. Dhammika P Ratnayake appears before me with the trademark friendly smile on his face.

Dhammika P Ratnayake

Dhammika Aiya, as he is addressed by his colleagues and fans, is a wholesome product of Radio Ceylon. His talents had been nurtured with the able guidance of the veteran radio personality Thewis Guruge. With this great Guru, Dhammika had explored the announcing galaxy to emerge as an ever glittering star.

Dhammika obtained a special degree in mass media and communications from Kelaniya University in 1975 and joined SLBC in 1979 as a trainee announcer. He got the rare opportunity to associate and learn from the greats such as Siril Rajapakse, Berty Galahitiyawa, Lalith S Maithreepala, Dharma Sri Wickramasinghe, Premakeerthie de Alwis, Kusum Peiris and Daya de Alwis. The announcers at the time had to strictly adhere to correct and precise usage of language, always bearing in mind the fact that children listen to radio. Hence the segments were properly and carefully lined up to cater to children and adults throughout the day in an appropriate manner.

"At the time, the country had only two radio channels. The credibility of these channels was immense. Once we produced a radio drama, the storyline of which said a ferocious demon has entered the Colombo city. This message sent shockwaves across the island. Thinking a real demon has come to town, people panicked. We had to carry a special segment to communicate to the masses, the message was a hoax." Said Dhammika diving in nostalgia.

The programs such as Sonduru Sewana, Gee Rasanga and Madhu Rasanga produced by Dhammika became very popular. Through these programs, he had groomed announcers: Vipul Dharmapriya Jayasekera, Subhashini Uthpalawanna, Chandana Thilakarathne to name a few. Dhammika had traveled to all corners of the country with the program Gamin Gamata, where he got the rare opportunity to mingle with people in many social strata. Dhammika's motto in life is 'helping people'. This had been inculcated in him at the time he learned at Vidyalankaraya Pirivena.

He is a member of a special breed of announcers. 1987 was a time terror reared its ugly head in the country. A mere anonymous letter in the wee hours of a morning could compel an organization or a person to hold activities of the day. Dhammika with few others who were bold enough, stayed inside studios spending sleepless nights doing justice to the nation. Thewis Guruge and Premakeerthie de Alwis sacrificed their valued lives in the process.

Dhammika (left) with Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera at a social event to donate food essentials to displaced persons coordinated by him.

Dhammika is the lyricist of Divi Katharata Gangawai and Sihina Genena Kumariye sung by Rohana Bogoda and Victor Wijayantha respectively. He has given a hand to many a budding singer to come to limelight through his programs Shithija Ima and Tharu Mal Yaya in the commercial service of SLBC.

Dhammika broadened his horizon as a television announcer too. He was the presenter of Rathna Weda Medura telecast over National television for five consecutive years. However, especially as a radio announcer one can open great vistas in the minds of listeners.

"We build relationships with our listeners merely with the magic in voice and depth in presentation. Hence a radio announcer must possess a voice which is rich with depth and credibility, apart from language proficiency." Said Dhammika.

An announcer should also have an acquired knowledge which could be used in program presentations. Going to library with the intention of gathering information for a forthcoming program would confine a presenter in a certain shell and deprive him of being innovative.

Dhammika P Ratnayake hailed from Maboda, a remote village in Kegalle District.

He was felicitated for his 25 years of service to SLBC in October 2004. He extends gratitude to Professors Wimal Dissanayake, J B Dissanayake, Sunanda Mahendra, Chadrasiri Palliyaguru and veteran media personalities Edwin Ariyadasa and Thewis Guruge for grooming him to be a good communicator.

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