Prem’s passion and stance in life
“Then my newspaper craze began to re-emerge. I started the Rasanduna film magazine with Srimali cassette producers"
Fast Ads Chief Prem Dissanayake who is no stranger to the field of arts, says the pillars behind his success story were dedication and commitment to work.
“I had this trait of completing brief stints at all the places I worked; therefore I had no place to go seeking employment after I gave up my one-day old teaching career. It was indeed a tough period. I did freelance work as an artist. I did not want to burden my parents. I always wanted to be independent. I drew hoardings, pandals, lorry bodies, made award-winning floats for May Day rallies, but I derived happiness from whatever I did. Meeting CW Advertising Chief Yasarathna Tennekoon also gave me good opportunities to cement my place in the business,” said Prem. “With the advent of the open economy, cassette business in Sri Lanka also started in the late seventies. The printing of cassette covers were done in Singapore. I created the first cassette cover in Sri Lanka for Vijaya Ramanayake’s Tharanga label. That was Milton Mallawarachchi’s ‘Sanden Eha’. It was a challenging task but soon I became popular as a cassette cover designer. I always took risks and accepted them as challenges. Then with ‘Aradhana’ my name was established as a film poster specialist too. That was followed by offers for film titles as well. I had to open my own office in Thunmulla junction but since it was too small to cope with the glamour visitors who came to see me,” he said. “Then my newspaper craze began to reemerge. I started the Rasanduna film magazine with Srimali cassette producers. Minister Sarath Amunugama who had seen the paper wanted me to do a better paper. So I started Vichitra, and then moved to the Kala magazine which was closed down in 1989 due to threats. Among those who worked in my paper were Sunil Mihindukula, Aruna Gunaratne, Athula Mahawalage, Ralex Ranasinghe, Thusitha Jayawardana and Lalith Milroy. In 1991 I started Fast Ads opening an office in Fort. I got a lot of advertising work largely because I met deadlines and satisfied my clients. Then I bought a small printing machine which got more work. Today I am the owner of a sophisticated printing plant which was opened with the launch of 50 books published by Fast Ads. The secret to my success was the level of dedication and commitment to whatever I did. Moreover I enjoyed whatever work I did. That’s very important. You should enjoy what you do. I start work here by 6.15 in the morning and by the time my staff members come in at 8 am, I have planned the whole day’s work. I am thorough with the work in every department of my company so I can plan it well. I don’t believe in slipshod work. Customer satisfaction is the key in our business. My staff members are very disciplined and they grow with the company. I am grateful to my wife Thusitha Vijayanthi Dissanayake for understanding me, my profession, and giving me the freedom to engage in it. My children Sarani is a doctor, my son Isira works for SriLankan Airlines and youngest Isuri is still studying. I lead a simple lifestyle and have no big dreams,” he said in conclusion.