Suranga Mama:

From children’s world into Guinness Records

Mahinda P Liyanage Galle correspondent

Ananda Kumarage, popularly known as Suranga Mama (Uncle Suranga), a children programme producer of Sri Lanka, has set a new world record by creating the world’s longest series of children’s programmes, to enter the Guinness World Records.

Suranga Mama is credited with revolutionizing Sri Lanka’s television presentations on children. He has presented over 5,000 children’s programmes in schools, more than 1000 children’s programmes, about 100 radio presentations and around 200 television programmes.

This renowned Sri Lankan artiste in a unique rainbow coloured costume is the only global programme producer with a registered logo, stage name and costume.

Following the agreement entered with Guinness World Records Limited in UK Suranga Mama on March 16 performed a series of items for children continuously for 24 hours under the scrutiny of P L U Niranjana and S R P Rajanayake, authorized officials from the Sports Medical Unit of the Sports Ministry directed by its Director General Dr Geethanjana Mendis.

The series of programmes commenced at 6.30 am on March 16 and concluded at 7.30 am the following day.

It was held at selected public places within the Galle municipality with the participation of children and their parents.

Suranga’s world record included five different entertainment items as registered with the Guinness World Records. Under record claim Identification number 33411 he successfully accomplished the 24 hour performance of children’s activities and as part of the same under claim ID 334112 he completed a live dancing programme with the participation of 1200 children.

Under claim ID 33116, Suranga Mama conducted a live nursery children’s programme which included his popular play school drama Sellam Pasala. The series of performances also comprised of a children’s variety show under claim ID 334373.

Sports Medical Unit officials who observed and examined Suranga’s 24 hour record breaking children’s entertainment programme, have expressed their satisfaction over his record effort and submitted their report with recommendations to the Guinness World Records for final sanctioning.