Premakeerthi de Alwis

Premakeerthi de Alwis
Born July 31, 1947(1947-07-31)
Sri Lanka
Died July 31, 1989(1989-07-31) (aged 42)
Nationality Sri Lankan
Other names Samaraweera Mudalige Don Premakeerthi de Alwis
Education Ananda College
Occupation Radio & Television presenter , lyricist
Spouse Daya De Alwis, Nirmala de Alwis
Children Surangi de Alwis, Poorna Sampath de Alwis

Premakeerthi de Alwis (June 1947–July 31, 1989) was a Sri Lankan broadcaster, lyricist and television personality. He worked as an anchorman on state-run television. He was murdered on July 31, 1989.

Premakeerthi is renowned to be the best song writer that Sri Lanka has ever produced.

Contents

Comic songs

 

Premakeerthi had a talent for comedic lyrics. His first contribution was Aluth Kalavak Soyagaththa Man Diyunuvenna One Nam, sung by Freddie Silva for the film Sujeewa. Alwis aimed to introduce satire to his songs, providing humour but allowing criticism of society.[1] Later he wrote Pankithha tharikita tharikita, Teakoode pitethiyan ,Aron Mama,Handa Mama,Kekille Rajjuruwo, Parana Coat such as comics songs.[2]

Death

Alwis, who was 42, was dragged from his house and murdered on the night of July 31, 1989. The murder has been blamed on the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, although no official ruling has been made.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "Premakeerthi's 20th Death Anniversary". dailynews. 2009. http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/29/art30.asp. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
  2. ^ "Freddie Silva: He took our breath away and we did not care". infolank. http://www.infolanka.com/org/srilanka/people/18.htm. 
  3. ^ Goshaka. "The JVP and LTTE are two of a kind". Daily News. http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/12/10/fea03.asp. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 
  4. ^ Senadhira, Sugeeswara P. (1996). Under siege: mass media in Sri Lanka. Segment Books. pp. 165. ISBN 8185330336. http://books.google.com/books?id=ckZiAAAAMAAJ. 

External links