Vernon Corea remembered

Former SLBC Director-General Vijaya Corea will be the guest speaker at the 10th death anniversary memorial service of Vernon Corea, one of Sri Lanka's pioneering broadcasters with Radio Ceylon (SLBC) on September 29 at 3 p.m at St.Paul's Church Milagiriya. It was Vernon who gave Vijaya Corea his beak in broadcasting when he asked him to take over presenting the iconic children's radio programme 'Kiddies Corner', when the presenter Craig Thompson had fallen ill. Vernon had also promoted young Sri Lankan musicians from the time the joined Radio Ceylon in 1956.

One such musician was Nimal Mendis - Vernon played his on Radio Ceylon in the 1950s. Nimal Menids, a top international star is well known for his classic hits such as. Master Sir, and 'Ganga Addara'. Nimal will speak about Vernon and sing his compositions at the memorial service on September 29 at 5 p.m hosted by St. Paul's Church Milagiriya.

Vernon Corea had a glittering career of 45 years in broadcasting in Sri Lanka and in the United Kingdom.

Top Sri Lankan musicians Rukshan Perera and Marizelle Goonetilleke will also sing at the memorial service.

Vernon Corea also met them in the 1960s and 1970s when he worked for Radio Ceylon/SLBC.