Don Premakirthi de Alwis

  Don Premakirthi de Alwis

Samaraweera Mudalige Don Premakirthi de Alwis was born on July 31, 1947 in Colombo.  He received his primary education from Maligakanda Maha Vidyalaya.  After that I entered Ananda College, Maradana.  Young Prime was a gifted student of Ananda and was the editor of the annual magazine 'Anandaya' published by the college and the co-editor of the 'Dhamma Jayanthi' monthly newspaper.

 Premakirthi's father worked in the Sri Lanka Railway Department.  That is why he thought of involving his son in the work after him.  But the young son showed no interest in it.  Instead he wanted to join Ceylon Radio and become a radio artist.  He was a regular contributor to the popular radio announcers of those days, DM.  Colombage, Karunaratne Abeysekera, Sarath Wimalaweera, Chithrananda Abeysekera, Thevis Guruge, Purosfer Fernando, Thilaka Sudharman de Silva followed the voices and announcements of Uva.  His father soon learned of his son's artistic talents and abilities.  He decided to hire Arthur U., a talented former journalist.  Meet Mr. Amarasena.  He is the former editor of 'Visithura' weekly film newspaper published by the 'Day' group.  Young Premakirthi gets a job as a feature writer for 'Visithura' newspaper.  Arthur U., an experienced journalist.  Amarasena quickly identified the hidden talents and talents of the young Prime.

 Meanwhile, on December 17, 1967, as a relief announcer, Premakirthi accepted a great opportunity from Radio Ceylon.  His advisor was Karunaratne Abeysekera.  He was a multilingual linguist, composer and publisher of Radio Ceylon at the time.  Here Premakirthi has the opportunity to gradually develop his unique writing skills as well as news release skills.  The song 'Hada Puda Asune Senehasa Mavuna' sung by Rupa Indumathi and Malkanthi Nandasiri was written by Prim in 1969 as his first lyric.  K.A.W.  The song 'Old Coat' sung by Freddy Silva for the film 'Lokuma Hinawa' directed by Perera was written as the first film song of the film in the same year.  Gradually, Premakirthi became a popular and market-oriented lyricist and began writing songs for many popular singers.

 In a time when there was no such thing as private channels or television as there is today, listeners spontaneously flocked to national radio.  As a result, they enjoyed many of the songs broadcast by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.  Premakirthi wrote lyrics for many popular singers who touched their hearts.  His creative lyrics were based on humor and satire, as well as love, affection, friendship, values, and even gambling.

 These are some of the most beautiful songs in between.  There is no doubt that they are still delicious today.

 Mother of the source of love, I had seven dreams to sing to the birds, a single star - Victor Ratnayake

 This city, one moment, you in the rainbow sky - Mervyn Perera

 Butterfly flower and - Edward Jayakody

 Broken Love - Rohana Weerasinghe

 Flower Youth - Gunadasa Kapuge / Rupa Indumathi

 Far Ran Viman, Beloved Neranjana, Beyond a Country - Priya Suriyasena

 A horseman riding on a man, tied to a rope and walking towards Rajarata - Sunil Edirisinghe

 Suranga felt sad - Nanda Malini

 That night, me and that day, because of me you, full of beauty - Milton Mallawarachchi

 I'm not moving - TM  Jayaratne

 I fly to infinity - Srimati Tilakaratne

 Malini Bulathsinhala - Malini Bulathsinhala - Malini Bulathsinhala - Malini Bulathsinhala - Malini Bulathsinhala - Malini Bulathsinhala

 Kings of Kekille, Under the Uncle of the Moon, Bread Kirintha, Kundumani - Aphrodite Silva

 In 1974, Premakirthi was promoted to second class announcer and producer.  Then he has many opportunities to get closer to the listeners.  He performs on a variety of popular programs such as 'Saturday Party' (every Saturday from 8am to 12pm - with other announcers), 'Soduru Sevana' (Monday to Friday 5-6pm), and 'Sarisara News' (once a week).  Do  At that time listeners were not able to connect to live programs over the phone.  But Premakirthi initiates this new idea by engaging the listeners live in his 'Sarisara News' program.  It was very successful at the time and was highly acclaimed by the fans.

 Although he was steadily rising in popularity, in 1977 he too fell victim to the guillotine of political revenge.  The jealous administration of the radio station, which could not bear the brunt of his reputation, suspended him for no reason and sent him on compulsory leave.  They made absurd and distorted allegations against Prime and appointed a disciplinary committee to investigate.  However, the committee found him guilty and immediately acquitted him.  Accordingly, the administration that re-established the Prime Minister in his original position forced him to perform his duties as usual without letting the listeners know about the injustice done to him.  He enters the studio angrily while a live show is airing.  At that moment he angrily pulls back the chair next to the table.  The chair falls to the floor with a loud noise that interrupts the live program.  Then the primer approaches the microphone and addresses the listener in a normal tone.  "Sorry dear, I'm Premakirthi de Alwis. I'm back with you.

 He was later transferred to Rajarata Sevaya Radio in Anuradhapura.  Like him, he meets former Gunadasa Kapuge who was transferred and artists like Ranbanda Seneviratne, Karunaratne Divulgane, Ratna Sri Wijesinghe, Jayatilake Bandara, Mahinda Dissanayake and Swarna Sri Bandara of the Rajarata service.

 Premakirthi makes a huge contribution to Victor Ratnayake's 'Sa' solo concert.  He shapes 'S' by announcing the concert as well as introducing the meanings of the songs.  The other announcers who are working with him are the late KDK.  Dharmawardena and Kularatne Ariyawansa.

 With the popularity of visual media in Sri Lanka in the eighties, he had the opportunity to get involved in various television productions.  Premakirthi writes memorable songs for the children's cartoon program 'Doctor Good Heart' sung by Titus Thotawatte.  The other program he participated in was a program on national television called 'Anduna' which exposed the social injustices.  He presented the program in a way that only his own eyes could see.  It was quite popular in those days and was talked about.  Premakirthi also graced everyone's Sunday with other Tamil and English announcers on the 'Ayubowan' program every Sunday.

 I still remember that sad day.  This day is February 16, 1988.  Listening to the broadcasts of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation was a part of my day.  As usual I turned on the radio at 12.45 pm to listen to Sinhala news.  The newscaster suddenly stopped reading.  There was silence for 2-3 minutes.  I was curious about stopping the news broadcast.  But unexpectedly another familiar voice broke that silence.  Premakirthi de Alwis conveyed that sad and tragic message to the nation.  It is about the brutal assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga, a popular film actor and a respected politician.  After that news, I lost the words to speak.  Premakirthi conveyed his unimaginably dangerous message to the people of a peace-loving country with his emotional turmoil.

 Another miserable day dawned on July 31, 1989, exactly one year, five months and fifteen days later.  The tragic news was aired on government radio at 6.00 in the morning.  Even the great announcer who announced Vijay's assassination could not believe the headline when he heard that an unknown gang had shot him.  I was stunned and stunned, unable to believe the news.

 Premakirthi de Alwis had been shot and killed by some cruel people.  At the age of 42.  According to media reports, they had knocked on the door of Premakirthi's half-built house in Homagama on July 31, 1989.  Premakirthi's wife Nirmala cried and begged him not to bother her but they forcibly dragged him out of the house into the darkness.  He is an innocent respectable man.  No 'good' man in the neighborhood came forward for him at that time.

 The next morning his body was found by villagers in a nearby ditch.  In a peaceful society the whole nation was filled with tears.  They listened with troubled hearts and sad hearts to what had happened.

 If he were alive today he would be a very good example to present day news anchors.  He could have been a good teacher of how to approach the audience by manipulating voice and language.  He could also have written many other beautiful songs.

 It is no secret that his departure is a serious loss not only to his wife Nirmala, daughter Surangi and son Purna but also to anyone who loved and composed his songs.  His unique creations are not creations that can be destroyed as they are embedded in the hearts of the fans.  There is no doubt about that.

 Before concluding, I remember the last few verses of the song 'Me Nagaraya' written by Premakirthi to the late singer Mervyn Perera ...

 'I think life itself is a dream.