223:
514:
468:"When we toured England in 1994 to hold musical shows, Vernon Corea who was in England requested me to sing this particular song. When I got on to the stage and started singing Vernon broke down and all of us were moved by this incident. Wherever we go, most people in foreign countries requested me to sing this song. Now I dedicate that song to my late father," he said.
404:
554:
to the BBC; This was a senior management appointment – he held this post at the BBC until his retirement. Vernon Corea played a pivotal role in introducing and mentoring young, gifted and talented people into broadcasting. He trained minority ethnic broadcasters and found placements for them on the
415:
Throughout his life and his broadcasting career Corea promoted the very best of Sri Lankan talent in the world of popular music. He was the first to consistently promote Sri Lanka's musicians through his highly influential entertainment column – EMCEE published in the Ceylon Daily News in the
481:
He appeared on television screens in
Colombo, in black and white, on a short TV programme, this was history in the making. Seven years later the first regular television transmission was conducted in Sri Lanka and the first TV presenter on that regular transmission was Vernon Corea's cousin,
672:'The BBC at this time was striving to be more inclusive, and Corea found himself at the forefront of an increasing thrust for diversity. His importance both as a figurehead and a consultant was recognised by his appointment as the first ethnic minorities adviser in 1978.' (The Times)
450:
placed Vernon Corea in the Top 5 Broadcasters of the World stating that he introduced
Sinhala Music onto the English Services of the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the first to introduce the talents of
666:'Vernon was a pioneering influence in the BBC and helped to lay the foundation for the work we are continuing to do to make sure our staff and our programmes are truly representative of our nation's diverse population.' (Greg Dyke – Director-General BBC)
466:, the Sri Lankan superstar Clarence Wijewardena composed a moving song about a father's love,'Ma Ethi Dedi Kala Piyaneni.' It was an international hit for Clarence Wijewardena and Annesley Malewana. In an interview, Annesley Malewanna recalls:
312:
for training into the priesthood. In
Calcutta he was elected President of the Ceylon Students Association and acted in drama performances. He felt that the priesthood was not his vocation and returned to Ceylon, after the death of his mother.
436:, were interviewed by Vernon Corea, for Radio Ceylon. Their music was also introduced to a vast audience across the Indian sub-continent – millions tuned into the radio station and Radio Ceylon announcers enjoyed iconic status with
420:
radio programme. He 'discovered' many young Sri Lankan stars through his radio programmes on Radio Ceylon and promoted their musical talents in the EMCEE column in the Daily News in
Colombo. Some went onto the international stage.
555:
BBC Local Radio
Network. His work contributed to the diversity of the BBC. Vernon Corea also lectured at the BBC Training Centre. Many of Corea's trainees are now presenters of mainstream radio programmes on
517:
Vernon Corea created broadcasting history in the United
Kingdom when he was appointed the first ever Ethnic Minorities Adviser to the BBC. He was the first Asian to be appointed to senior management at the
214:. He was well known not only in Sri Lanka, but right across the Indian Sub-Continent from the late 1950s to the 1970s – this was in the heyday of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia.
621:
Corea was a born broadcaster and racy raconteur, prone to making outrageous remarks with a straight face. But behind his frivolous manner was a generous and large-hearted
Christian, who was also a
669:'His sense of loyalty to his management and to his profession and his compassion and concern for those who worked under him were exemplary.' (Neville Jayaweera – former Director-General SLBC)
357:.Corea represented the Director-General of the station at a Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference, when he was in the United Kingdom, on a six-month fellowship with the Nuffield Trust in 1970.
486:– he introduced his cousin to radio by asking him to present 'Kiddies Corner' a popular children's programme on Radio Ceylon in the 1960s. Vijaya Corea was one of many young broadcasters
416:
1960s–1970s. Vernon introduced hundreds of musicians to listeners at Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka
Broadcasting Corporation and in the studios of BBC Radio London when he presented the popular
304:
a well known education institution, in Sri Lanka. He represented the school in tennis and was fully involved in the world of drama and the debating society. He was sent by his father to
178:, South Asia's oldest radio station, in 1956 and later the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. During his time he presented some of the most popular radio shows in South Asia, including
477:
Vernon Corea created television history on the island of Sri Lanka when he was invited to present the first ever experimental television broadcast on 15 June 1972 by the
1323:
505:
There are now several television stations operating on the island, a far cry from the early experiments of the Radio
Society of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1972.
297:, known as the 'Father of India,' visited Chilaw on his first and only visit to Ceylon in 1927 and met Vernon's grandfather in a Corea home called 'Sigiriya.'
174:(11 September 1927 – 23 September 2002) was a pioneer radio broadcaster with 45 years of public service broadcasting both in Sri Lanka and the UK. He joined
894:
930:
550:. Vernon Corea soon climbed the management ladder at the BBC – he was appointed Local Radio Asian Programmes Officer in 1978. He went on to become the
1293:
1338:
388:
1328:
30:
1308:
686:
491:
354:
498:
who went on to greater height heights in broadcasting and was the Sri Lanka
Broadcasting Corporation's Director of English Services.
1348:
1313:
1303:
1246:
847:
1228:
991:
691:
277:, also known as Edirille Rala who was tasked to take over Kotte in 1596 for King Vimala Dharmasurya I. His grandfather was Dr.
305:
736:
293:, founders of the Chilaw Association and the Ceylon National Congress. Recognising their role in the independence movement,
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952:
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800:
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commemorated annually, by churches and religious organisations across the world, on the second Sunday in February.
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607:
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over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. They became hugely popular in South Asia.
258:, a prominent journalist and former Ambassador to the United States. Rev. Corea was Vicar of St. Luke's Church,
640:
1201:"Vernon Corea's Prayers for Autism Sunday-The International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome"
333:
as a Relief Announcer in 1956, he was appointed by the Director of the Commercial Service, the Australian,
254:) on 11 September 1927. His parents were Reverend Canon Ivan Corea and Ouida Corea, and was the brother of
644:
301:
227:
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535:
222:
125:
230:. He represented his school in tennis, participated in drama productions and was a member of the Royal
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1283:
452:
322:
77:
286:
282:
643:. He raised awareness of the condition. In 2002 he attended a historic service for autism held at
594:
Vernon Corea was a Christian, he was very involved in the work of the church in the UK – he was a
1353:
1231:, 1969. (Photograph of Vernon Corea leading a brainstorming session in the Boardroom of the CBC)
526:
The Corea family migrated to England in 1975. Vernon Corea worked for Radio Worldwide based in
513:
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946:
910:
599:
502:
was another mentee, after a successful career with Radio Ceylon/SLBC he retired in Australia.
456:
408:
239:
54:
360:
From 1956 to 1960, Vernon Corea and other announcers of Radio Ceylon introduced the music of
329:(where he met his wife Monica) and as a salesman at Car Mart in Colombo, Vernon Corea joined
1238:
531:
135:
732:
546:. The BBC radio programme drew a huge audience in the capital and was even featured in the
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987:
433:
369:
274:
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851:
826:
564:
338:
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29:
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648:
527:
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848:"Vernon Corea – Radio presenter who paved the way for ethnic minority broadcasters"
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330:
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107:
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was something Corea cared deeply about, after his own grandson was diagnosed with
407:
Vernon Corea, the BBC's Ethnic Minorities Adviser and broadcaster, at his home in
1227:
By Stuart Wavell – Training Manual written by the Director Training of the CBC –
1034:
1013:
1123:
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437:
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1059:
1035:"Vernon Corea – on the first ever television experimental program in Sri Lanka"
758:
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622:
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in London and wrote Prayers for Autism. These prayers are now being said on
556:
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377:
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in South-West London and previous to that appointment he was Lay Reader at
579:
560:
353:, and western music. He was later Business Manager, News Director at the
231:
1146:"Vernon Corea-Broadcaster who championed minority community-based media"
804:
396:
326:
259:
81:
636:
270:
712:"Vernon Corea by Neville Jayaweera, (former Director-General, SLBC)"
873:
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by Vernon Corea – he went on to become the Director-General of the
571:
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447:
309:
221:
559:. Among those who came to seek Vernon Corea's advice was the top
1258:
1235:
Satchmo Blows Up the World: Jazz Ambassadors Play the Cold War
779:
711:
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at Emmanuel church in Wimbledon village, in south-west London.
519:
462:
As a special tribute to Vernon Corea's father, Reverend Canon
1263:
1102:
759:"Gandhi at Sigiriya – article in the Daily News, Sri Lanka"
635:
The struggles of parents, carers, children and adults with
459:, and others on English radio programmes, on Radio Ceylon.
827:"Vernon Corea by Baron De Livera (Sunday Times, Colombo)"
1056:"Yesteryear's voice of showbiz (Daily News, Colombo)"
538:. He interviewed many Asian stars, including Pandit
273:
in Sri Lanka and were direct descendants of General
157:
149:
141:
131:
121:
113:
103:
95:
62:
36:
20:
897:. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008
582:to train broadcasters and was introduced to the
931:"Those Golden Voices (Hindu Newspaper, India)"
391:Pioneering broadcaster, Vernon Corea(left) at
269:His family hailed from the west coast town of
1259:Vernon Corea The Golden Voice of Radio Ceylon
1103:"Radio Society of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon"
613:Recalling his life, Reginald Massey noted in
8:
1124:"Vernon-Sri Lanka's pioneering broadcaster"
424:Some of Ceylon's first music stars such as
933:. Archived from the original on 7 May 2005
874:"Sir Cliff Richard and Radio Ceylon(SLBC)"
28:
17:
801:"A History of Bishop's College, Calcutta"
1269:Obituary on Vernon Corea in The Guardian
402:
386:
1014:"Annesley Malewana: 40 years in music!"
703:
321:Following brief careers in teaching at
944:
908:
739:from the original on 16 February 2009
7:
1324:English people of Sri Lankan descent
1170:Massey, Reginald (15 October 2002).
1144:Massey, Reginald (15 October 2002).
780:"Royal College, Colombo, Sri Lanka"
1241:, Harvard University Press, 2006,
733:"The Golden Voice of Radio Ceylon"
687:Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
492:Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
355:Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
14:
586:on a visit to Male, the capital.
1294:Alumni of Royal College, Colombo
1264:Official Tribute to Vernon Corea
1082:"Happenings:La Musique d'Yvonne"
994:from the original on 5 June 2011
895:"When Ceylon ruled the airwaves"
658:in London on 23 September 2002.
343:The Golden Voice of Radio Ceylon
1229:Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation
692:List of Sri Lankan broadcasters
534:as a presenter for the popular
1339:Sri Lankan radio personalities
988:"Musical "Moonstone" Malewana"
1:
1329:People from Wimbledon, London
300:Vernon Corea was educated at
1172:"Vernon Corea-Broadcaster,
1370:
604:Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon
570:Corea was also invited to
341:. He became well known as
306:Bishop’s College, Calcutta
226:Vernon Corea attended the
1309:British radio journalists
951:: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
915:: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
608:Christ Church, Gipsy Hill
584:President of the Maldives
552:Ethnic Minorities Adviser
440:listeners. The respected
279:James Alfred Ernest Corea
262:, and St. Paul's Church,
165:
88:
27:
1349:British health activists
1314:British radio presenters
1304:British radio executives
654:He died of diabetes, in
641:autism spectrum disorder
479:Radio Society of Ceylon.
345:, representing shows of
145:7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sundays
41:Hector Vernon Ivan Corea
281:, brother of the famed
153:Eastern Music Show Host
662:Quotes on Vernon Corea
610:in South-East London.
523:
494:. Another protégé was
412:
400:
302:Royal College, Colombo
235:
228:Royal College, Colombo
536:London Sounds Eastern
516:
418:London Sounds Eastern
406:
390:
225:
126:London Sounds Eastern
1344:Anglican lay readers
453:Clarence Wijewardena
78:Kingston upon Thames
854:on 14 February 2012
807:on 5 September 2008
645:St.Paul's Cathedral
287:Charles Edgar Corea
196:Take It Or Leave It
524:
413:
401:
337:and his assistant
238:Corea was born in
236:
600:Church of England
457:Annesley Malewana
411:, London in 1985.
409:Wimbledon Village
212:Old Folks at Home
192:Two For the Money
169:
168:
66:23 September 2002
51:11 September 1927
1361:
1334:Sinhalese people
1299:Autism activists
1239:Penny Von Eschen
1225:The Art of Radio
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1109:
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1071:
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1067:
1058:. Archived from
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1004:
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861:
859:
850:. Archived from
844:
838:
837:
835:
833:
823:
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803:. Archived from
797:
791:
790:
788:
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769:
767:
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755:
749:
748:
746:
744:
729:
723:
722:
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708:
532:BBC Radio London
283:freedom fighters
180:The Maliban Show
136:BBC Radio London
99:Ponds Hit Parade
69:
50:
48:
32:
18:
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664:
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475:
434:Cliff Foenander
428:, Bill Forbes,
370:Louis Armstrong
319:
275:Dominicus Corea
220:
204:To Each His Own
117:7 p.m. Weekdays
84:
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1253:External links
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1094:
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1062:on 4 June 2011
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565:George Alagiah
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339:Livy Wijemanne
318:
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295:Mahatma Gandhi
285:of Sri Lanka,
219:
216:
208:Kiddies Corner
200:Saturday Stars
188:Holiday Choice
167:
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161:United Kingdom
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1247:0-674-02260-2
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649:Autism Sunday
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528:Upper Norwood
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508:
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497:
496:Nihal Bhareti
493:
489:
485:
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458:
454:
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446:newspaper of
445:
444:
439:
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427:
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419:
410:
405:
398:
394:
389:
385:
383:
382:Cliff Richard
379:
375:
371:
367:
363:
362:Elvis Presley
358:
356:
352:
348:
347:popular music
344:
340:
336:
335:Clifford Dodd
332:
328:
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316:
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250:(present-day
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65:
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56:
39:
35:
31:
26:
19:
16:
1319:Corea family
1234:
1224:
1219:Bibliography
1204:. Retrieved
1195:
1183:. Retrieved
1180:The Guardian
1179:
1174:The Guardian
1173:
1165:
1153:. Retrieved
1150:The Guardian
1149:
1139:
1127:. Retrieved
1118:
1106:. Retrieved
1097:
1085:. Retrieved
1076:
1064:. Retrieved
1060:the original
1050:
1038:. Retrieved
1029:
1017:. Retrieved
1008:
996:. Retrieved
982:
970:. Retrieved
961:
935:. Retrieved
925:
899:. Retrieved
889:
877:. Retrieved
868:
856:. Retrieved
852:the original
842:
830:. Retrieved
821:
809:. Retrieved
805:the original
795:
783:. Retrieved
774:
762:. Retrieved
753:
741:. Retrieved
727:
715:. Retrieved
706:
682:Radio Ceylon
671:
668:
665:
653:
634:
620:
616:The Guardian
614:
612:
593:
569:
551:
540:Ravi Shankar
525:
504:
500:Leon Belleth
487:
484:Vijaya Corea
478:
476:
467:
461:
441:
426:Nimal Mendis
423:
417:
414:
393:Radio Ceylon
359:
342:
331:Radio Ceylon
320:
299:
291:Victor Corea
268:
256:Ernest Corea
237:
211:
207:
203:
199:
195:
191:
187:
183:
179:
176:Radio Ceylon
172:Vernon Corea
171:
170:
108:Radio Ceylon
89:
68:(2002-09-23)
22:Vernon Corea
15:
1289:2002 deaths
1284:1927 births
1206:4 September
1185:4 September
1155:4 September
1129:4 September
1108:4 September
1087:4 September
1066:4 September
1040:4 September
1019:4 September
998:4 September
967:"Sri Lanka"
937:4 September
901:4 September
879:4 September
858:4 September
832:4 September
785:4 September
743:4 September
717:4 September
590:Church Work
563:Presenter,
548:Radio Times
530:, then for
438:South Asian
366:Patsy Cline
351:baila music
323:Uva College
184:Dial-a-Disc
57:, Sri Lanka
1278:Categories
698:References
656:New Malden
623:lay reader
596:Lay Reader
576:Bangladesh
544:Usha Uthup
473:Television
464:Ivan Corea
374:Jim Reeves
264:Milagiriya
244:Katunayake
218:Early life
74:New Malden
47:1927-09-11
1354:Gandhians
972:18 August
811:1 October
557:BBC Radio
430:Des Kelly
378:Hank Snow
252:Sri Lanka
142:Time slot
114:Time slot
992:Archived
947:cite web
911:cite web
737:Archived
676:See also
580:Maldives
578:and the
561:BBC News
488:mentored
399:in 1958.
232:debating
764:25 July
598:of the
509:The BBC
397:Colombo
327:Badulla
260:Borella
158:Country
132:Station
104:Station
82:England
1245:
637:autism
631:Autism
380:, and
317:Career
271:Chilaw
248:Ceylon
240:Kurana
210:, and
90:Career
55:Kurana
572:Nepal
448:India
443:Hindu
310:India
234:team.
150:Style
1243:ISBN
1208:2008
1187:2008
1157:2008
1131:2008
1110:2008
1089:2008
1068:2008
1042:2008
1021:2008
1000:2008
974:2010
953:link
939:2008
917:link
903:2008
881:2008
860:2008
834:2008
813:2008
787:2008
766:2011
745:2008
719:2008
542:and
432:and
289:and
122:Show
96:Show
63:Died
37:Born
1237:by
602:at
520:BBC
325:in
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