page_title: Vijaya Corea
section_title: Radio
hierarchical_section_title: Vijaya Corea / Radio
caption_attribution_description: English: Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
context_page_description: Vijaya Corea is a radio and television broadcaster and one of Sri Lanka's most well known media personalities. Corea is a household name in Sri Lanka, synonymous with broadcasting and show business for over four decades, and has often been referred to as Sri Lanka's No. 1 Compere.
context_section_description: Corea joined the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon in 1964, lending his voice to the popular children's program Kiddies Corner.  The American presenter, Craig Thompson, was unwell at the time, so Corea who was visiting Radio Ceylon was asked to step in, by his cousin Vernon Corea, despite having no prior broadcasting experience.  He proved to be a natural, however, and lost no time in establishing himself as the most sought after commercial broadcaster. The impact of his voice and style before the microphone captivated the hearts of listeners. He joined Radio Ceylon at a time when the station was ruling the airwaves, right across the Indian sub-continent.The announcers of Radio Ceylon enjoyed star status in South Asia.
  Corea climbed the management ladder and in the 1990s he was appointed Director-General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.  While there, he succeeded in bringing a resurgence to Sri Lankan radio. Corea has been given numerous tributes and awards through the years. He is included in the list of notable individuals from the island of Sri Lanka.
  Vijaya Corea is widely recognised as a pioneer in the introduction of Sinhala pop music at Radio Ceylon and the English Service. He was the one man who allocated time for indigenous songs at Radio Ceylon, via his radio programmes such as Saturday Star and Lanka's Talent in Focus.  He has continued that effort throughout his career and has extensive knowledge of the history of Sinhala pop groups and songs. Musicians of that era could not hold an event without Corea, as his presence was an absolute must for the introduction. 
  He has The Distinction of being the first ever, to stand on the BMICH stage to present a musical evening and cultural pageant inaugurating the 5th Non-Aligned Summit Conference in the year 1976, which was designed for television and telecast 'live' on global television".
  He also holds the unbroken record of presenting 16 sponsored programs per week,
  Many professionals and others still recall how, in their youth, they would skip or delay attending classes in school and university to listen to Vijaya Corea's Morning Show programmes aired over radio.
  Vijaya Corea has introduced over one hundred pop musicians to the recording studios at then-Radio Ceylon.  As one of his protégés, the late Stanley Peiris, recounted:
  The "Fortunes," led by Peiris, played a popular composition by Clarence Wijewardene, "Kalu Kelle," on the twin saxophone. Wickremesuriya was convinced that the group would go far. While Peiris was directing music for Upul de Almeida's son Jude, he remarked with gratitude to the elder de Almeida, "If not for this man Vijaya, I would not be directing music for your son."
caption: Vijaya Corea was appointed Director – General of the oldest radio station in South Asia, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in Colombo, in the 1980s. He served SLBC with distinction.
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