Unforgettable Ariyadasa Peiris

The second death anniversary of veteran broadcaster Dr. Ariyadasa Peiris fell yesterday, February 10. Ariyadasa Peiris who was born on April 30, 1926 had his early education at Thalawakelle Maha Vidyalaya and later at Hatton Sri Pada Vidyalaya and Gampaha Lawrence College. His secured his first job as a telephone operator at the Diyatalawa Army Camp. Later he worked as a stenographer at the Gampaha Courts where he excelled in all three languages that helped him translate court documents. At the age of 22 he was the Tholka Mudali of the Gampaha Courts. But the main goal of the ardent arts lover was to find a job in Colombo. He fulfilled his dream when he clinched a job at the Inland Revenue Department as a clerk. But the biggest turning point in his life came when he accidentally took part in an interview held to select new actors for a stage play. That paved the way for him to associate with legends like Laddie Ranasinghe under whose guidance he entered Radio Ceylon where he excelled in many spheres. In 1963, he married Pushpa Wijerathne and the couple were blessed with two daughters Malika Peiris and Charitha Priyadarshani. Ariyadasa Peiris, was the first announcer whose voice was heard across the nation through the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon in 1951. He presented radio programmes such as “Adunika Peya”, Maliban Guwan Thotilla”, “Pibidena Gayaka Parapura”, “Pena Podi”, “Suhada Pathum” and “Ambiga Geethayen Geethaya” which are still remembered and cherished by listeners. He directed films such as “Sobana Sitha”, “Deva Sundari” and also acted in “Kurulu Bedda”. After a 44-year break he made a comeback to cinema directing the movie ‘Suba’.