Author: Esteem Magazine

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“Furniture may be a status symbol for some, but we are in the business of designing functional furniture that speaks of comfort, which is pleasant on the eye yet with a serious focus on ergonomics.”

— Dhanushka Fernando, Director of Finez Furniture & Interior

As an island nation, Sri Lanka is facing more than its fair share of challenges with many businesses not taking stock of current trends and changes when it comes to the economic, social and technological spheres.

More and more people are traveling abroad and the local millennial generation is holding top-level jobs in the corporate sphere while also moving up the ranks from an economic standpoint. Consider the alacrity with which financial institutions and banks are focusing on the disposable income potential of this generation. In one of my interviews with the legendary Murad Ismail back in 2016, he rightly predicted how living spaces will be more vertical with apartment living being a popular option. This coupled with a burgeoning millennial generation, brands would be prudent to focus stringently on the needs and requirements of this age group. Consider TRI-ZEN by the John Keells Group, which is not only focusing on the millennial-esque group but also on a healthy number of expats who will work and live in Sri Lanka in the foreseeable future.

This is where forward-thinking companies like Finez Furniture comes in. Headed by Dhanushka Fernando, who is part and parcel of the millennial generation itself, offers a progressive evolution of his brand with a great many innovations being lovingly petted and planned.

Dhanushka is convinced that there is a space even in the furniture market for the typical iPhone-wielding millennial. The tastes and desires of a young 30-year old is far different from that of a Babyboomer, and this is something that he has smartly identified.

Remember how I mentioned innovations in an earlier paragraph? Finez Furniture is focused on embracing an absolute first by utilizing virtual technology and having a future-ready online store soon. Smart indeed. With time becoming a limited resource and people showing reluctance to visit brick-and-mortar establishments while food, clothes and other products plus services being accessible via a spate of apps, an online furniture store sounds very appealing indeed. Finez Furniture has its current concept store in Pepiliyana, which lends the whole philosophical vision of its founder a degree of credibility.

What do I mean by this? Refer his quote at the beginning in a larger italicized font where Dhanushka speaks of functionality over luxury and where ergonomics and simplicity is a long-lasting trend worth embracing. Mahogany is mahogany and timber is timber yet it is what you do with it that counts. With a nod towards the retail market and also a hand in project-based initiatives like supplying apartment complexes, Finez Furniture has set itself apart by investing in its design capabilities. The well-crafted Instagram images padding the company’s social media accounts are real and could be experienced at its concept store.

Expect the store’s design consultants to understand your personality and requirements before beginning the task of arduously conceptualizing furniture that is right for you. But how does the philosophy of Finez Furniture push the envelope? By designing furniture for human behavior is the short and sweet answer. Thus aesthetics (add functionality and ergonomics to this) are of extreme importance. Fabric suppliers are from exotic destinations like Belgium while India offers modish palettes of fabric too. The proof is in the pudding and a 5-year comprehensive warranty on all furniture products increases the benchmark on that aspect of credibility.

Believing in social capital is also a progressive tenet that Dhanushka espouses where he opines that helping and investing in his staff — which at the time of this article being published stands at a number of 35 — is integral to the sustainability of the business. Providing education, leadership and imparting an individual desire to do better is what his staff are grounded on.

In conclusion, I’d like to mention Prof. Uditha Liyanage who referred a few years ago to the mod-tradi consumer who is susceptible to both modern and traditional forces, which have manifested in consumption behaviour; an example of this would be the purchase of a brand new vehicle while making a trip to a respective place of worship to bless the said vehicle. However, these nuances — I personally feel — are transitioning into more global trends; the main reason for this is Lankans are widely accepting what’s global in place of what’s local. And it is the acceptance of THIS insight that is important for businesses that are focused on a new generation, which is unlike what we have seen before in the past.

Text: Rohitha Perera

Photography: Sampath Munaweera

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Sub rosa. The latter is a Latin term that carries a sense of mystery and is known to denote confidentiality and secrecy. Sub rosa when it comes to a literal translation means— under the rose. The rose has varying connotations but most people would agree that maternal creativity is something that it symbolizes across various cultures throughout history.

Sub rosa was a term that cropped up quite a few times in my mind during my association with Caryll Van Dort. The fact that she has been a veritable mover and shaker in the PR industry is proof of her resilience and persistence in ensuring that she delivers the best for her clients.

But I digress; what I mean by utilizing a legal term is to state that Caryll practices a professional level of discretion that is enviable to say the least — a quality that is of paramount importance in both the PR world, and when managing clients. It’s no wonder that she has flourished to such an extent; in 2017 she became the first Sri Lankan to be named in Campaign Asia’s ‘Top 40 Women to Watch’ list, which celebrates women in the Asia-Pacific region who are disrupting the marketing communications industry and achieving success against all odds.

With Media Relations, Corporate Communications and Crisis Management being her forte, Caryll has managed to carve herself an enviable position in an industry that is rife with competition. Always at ease and with a winning and ready smile, I was fortunate to have associated her for a short span of time that has proved to be rewarding and enriching. More than anything, I feel honoured to call her a close friend and confidante.

At Lowe Lintas (now known as Mullen Lowe) she built brands such as Pizza Hut, Anchor, Unilever Sri Lanka, Caltex, Maliban, HSBC during her brief flirtation with Brand Management; at Leo Burnett, she invested a great deal of effort in building SLT, Mobitel, SLC, UNICEF, PABC to star class levels before changing careers and moving to Public Relations and Corporate Communications.

She reads like a book at times, each chapter of her life offering an exciting insight into a career and life that’s a rich and exuberant mosaic of élan and panache. In this particular chapter of her life where she has embarked on a new journey with her own startup named Fahrenheit, she answered the question of — How important is PR as a vertical in the industry?

She replies — I believe it’s an extremely important aspect. You can spend millions on advertising but if you forget to build a relationship with your stakeholders then your brand can simply wither and all that money is lost. This is showcased best in times of crisis for a brand. If you have good PR with your stakeholders then you can come out of a crisis with minimum brand damage.

At the heart of her belief system is a stringent adherence to a set of values that are somewhat rare today. She pointedly asked during one of our many food excursions — What is a person or any kind of relationship if you don’t have integrity or loyalty and discipline?

With an unexplainable fascination for owls and a more acceptable desire for fruits, Caryll truly embodies a level of professionalism in an industry that requires a mandatory application of hard work and smarts. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that PR is something that goes beyond a mere press release. With so much of clutter being present in all media platforms these days, the real requirement is to ensure that your brand stands out.

Being extremely family-oriented, the whole concept of sacrifice and delivering on stated promises is something that has been inculcated in her. In an evolving and progressive industry, which now has accepted the role of social media and digital media long with influencer marketing, that is as chaotic as it is deadline-oriented, one wonders how an individual of Caryll’s caliber keeps a level head. Yet just like her favorite chill out spots — think the hill country and beach — she stays calm as a cucumber delivering on her promise for exceptional PR solutions.

Text: Rohitha Perera | Photography: Sampath Munaweera | Location: 55TG Boutique Suites, Colombo

A 2017 article penned in the DailyFT puts the number, albeit conservative, at 150,000 when it comes to those who are employed across the entire value chain – think miners, dealers, lapidarists, jewellers, goldsmiths, retailers etc. – in the gem and jewellery industry. Moreover, it must be stated that the local gem and jewellery industry provides US $350 million worth of foreign exchange on an annual basis. In concise terms, this is the seventh largest in terms of export contribution, and has consistently been within the Top 3 Earners for the last 3 decades.

In terms of value addition, there is no brand name that showcases the infusion of value into this industry than Tiesh. Bauhaus-like is how I would describe most jewelery brands and what they churn out, yet Tiesh has maintained its unique sense of originality. Like any business worth its salt, the current market forces and economic environment should be taken into consideration along with changing demographics; one should always ensure that the brand evolves into something that adds value and becomes highly desirable.

Tiesh is a very compelling story; and, in my opinion, is the best jewellery store when it comes to offering premium sapphires that are truly Sri Lankan. This particular jewellery brand has embraced the whole concept of transparency in trade, and the information they share with their clients is such that they can make an educated decision. Having known Ayesh for quite some time now, it is the company’s ethos when it comes to premium customer relationship that has ensured that they will always be return customers.

As he stated over lunch one day, “Our sapphires are sourced locally; we only trade with the best Sri Lankan sapphire gem mines, and all these precious gem stones are selected personally where it will pass through my hands or my father’s before it hits the showroom floor. It’s a lot of hardwork, but it’s the best way to make sure each client will get a Sri Lankan sapphire that has passed the selection criteria.”

An interesting back-and-forth will follow; however, let me state this – The task of running Tiesh is indubitably Sisyphean with so many aspects that need to be looked into. Yet having achieved so much of success thus far, it needs to be stated that the expansive potential of Tiesh has not yet been tapped completely. The majority of us have been made aware of Tiesh, and its expertise in the gem and jewellery industry; however, with this particular article we decided to go down a more business-oriented route when it comes to this up-and-coming jewellery store in Sri Lanka.

1. How has Tiesh grown throughout the years, and how has it contributed to the relevant industries?

We started as a small business which is the brainchild of my parents Lasantha and Bryony De Fonseka almost 30 years ago in the 1980s. With beginnings that were very humble, we initially only focused on the export market. It goes without saying that we worked extremely hard to ensure that the business flourished up to the standard it is today. A new chapter was created in 2008, when my sister and I returned from Australia to take an active role in the business and to differentiate Tiesh by means of innovation. Having initiated a market study many years ago, we both took an active role in the company, and decided to open our local arm of Tiesh in Colombo during the early part of 2014.

2. How does Tiesh want to be remembered? What is your value proposition?

What is business without ambition? The fact that my sister and I took over the business in terms of running it shows that we are geared to push the envelope when it comes to this particular industry in Sri Lanka. I would state that as a stakeholder, Tiesh wants to remembered as the best gem and jewellery company in Sri Lanka, and amongst the best in the world. I can state with confidence that as a company, which is based on transparency and trust, we maintain a thorough and strict quality standard to ensure that all international standards are met.

3. What is the demographic split when it comes to your customer base?

The Tiesh head office in Kandy is the largest gem and jewellery emporium in Sri Lanka and caters exclusively to a foreign clientele where almost 95% of the business in Kandy is driven by tourism. Colombo however is a 50-50 split between locals and foreigners alike.

4. What value addition do you offer?

I will say it succinctly: Tiesh is the home of the Ceylon sapphire. We specialise in custom made or bespoke creations, where our customers have a hand in designing their own individual masterpieces.

We also believe in offering a superlative customer service that is par excellence. We believe that we have achieved and have created exemplary customer service as a benchmark; I will go further and state that the relationship we have with our clientele is almost familial with trust playing a huge role.

Let me further express the importance of stating that as a company we invest greatly in our staff where innovation and technology are absolutely key in redefining a product thereby making it industry standard in the eyes of the world. Our staff are imbued with a hunger for excellence with the company taking an invested role in offering more knowledge via gemology courses, new methods of manufacturing including new testing methods.

5. What are your forecasts for the economy as a whole?

As Panglossian as it may seem, I frankly do believe in the resilience of Sri Lankans as a whole and also that of the entire economy. If history provides any indication, we have always bounced back with a sense of alacrity and positivity. Having said that we like all other companies across the board have had a rough time since attacks in April; the enthusiasm and hopefully changes in policy will ensure that Sri Lanka gets back on its feet. Multiple publications are reporting that tourist numbers are increasing steadily.

6. Who buys jewellery in general locally?

Jewellery is still bought for special occasions most of the time; think birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings et cetera. Yet a recent interesting trend is that a lot of clients buy gems and jewellery as a security option.

7. What current and future trends in your industry can assist Sri Lanka attract more tourists? One of the main cornerstones of being Sri Lankan is the concept of hospitality, and how as a nation irrespective of caste, creed and ethnic origin, we’re all very hospitable. For such a small nation we have a lot of natural resources, and we also offer a great many wonderful things that has ensured Sri Lanka been named as the top destination for many occasions. I believe a current publication has named Sri Lanka as the ‘World’s Best Island’ at the influential Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual awards scheme judged by readers’ survey. I only see the situation improving.

Written by Rohitha Perera

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The subject of this particular feature article really requires no introduction especially for someone who is active on social media, and who is also socially conscious when it comes to issues pertaining to mental illness and mental health in general. I was fortunate enough to have an Q&A interview with Nivendra Uduman who came across as an erudite individual who really does wear his heart on his sleeve. His life’s mission? That mental health be treated like how physical health is treated.

1. How would you explain who Nivendra Uduman is to a complete stranger?

I consider myself a humane individual who thrives on passion and love. I am comfortable when pushing boundaries and like being thrown in the deep end. Life experience is something I hold very important and is often seen opening myself up for new experiences. Challenging environments is something I regularly put myself into, be it providing first aid at a road traffic accident or swimming in flood waters, to save lives and deliver aid.

I studied at Royal College, Colombo 7, where I experienced my first major failure, which is not passing the Ordinary Level exam; yet my parents were very supportive and helped me explore various options. I joined the British School in Colombo to pursue the International Baccalaureate; it was a turning point since it created opportunities for me. I pursued a degree in Social Sciences, and I chose Psychology, Sociology and English Literature at Christ University, Bangalore. I found an affinity towards Psychology by the second year. At University I was involved with the Centre for Social Action at Christ University. I was interested in volunteering, and I would ride my bicycle after finishing classes, to teach English and life skills. My work at the Centre took me to Norway in 2009, where I was a part of the Peace Corps programme at the Sund Folk School for 10 months.

I pursued my Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Christ University (2012-2014) and have been practicing in Sri Lanka since. One of the most life altering events for me personally took place in 2016 where I met Maj. Ruvan Ranatunga (ex-army) during flood rescue in Colombo, who narrated his journey from Dondra to Point Pedro, which he had completed in 2014. On the 18th of August, 2016 with the support of family, friends, students and others, I took off from the Dondra lighthouse along with Hansini Gunasekara. ‘Footsteps to Freedom’ took me 550 km across Sri Lanka to Point Pedro in 44 days where I consistently had conversations with people and communities about mental health. It would be at a post office, teashop, military camp, or a school where we stopped and delivered short talks on mental health. During this year I was awarded a citation for excellence in service in the field of mental health as an alumnus by Christ University, Bangalore. In 2018, I along with Sara and Ranil took off from Mount Lavinia for Footsteps to Freedom-II. Over 73 days, we managed 1460km around the entire coastline of Sri Lanka averaging 20km a day, and conducted over 100 awareness programmes around suicide prevention and mental health in different communities.

Since the end of Footsteps to Freedom II, I have been practicing Psychotherapy and Counselling at my clinic that my parents set up as a surprise gift after the walk. I am still involved with training both government health workers and also people in the non-governmental sector. I am currently a part of the core team of The Ohana Project, which is a collective of mental health professionals from a multi-disciplinary background. I am also the co-founder of the Community Crisis Response Team LK, which is a group of individuals trained in emergency response who can be deployed for various emergencies.

2. Please explain your life’s mission?

My life’s mission is to live a life of service. To inspire other people and to help people grow. I hope to grow in the field of mental health, and to continue working in the grassroots.

3. You have been quite active in the sphere of mental illness, and it certainly is a topic that started off as being taboo, but now is slowly being discussed about. Explain the challenges you have faced with regard to bringing this conversation into the public arena.

Stigma is the greatest challenge in bringing conversation around mental health into the public sphere. There is still a great deal of apprehension, fear and shame surrounding mental illness in Sri Lanka due to mainly the lack of education and awareness. There is insufficient initiative from the government to bring mental health into mainstream education and this causes a significant portion of young people to not have adequate coping skills and knowledge around well-being. The scarcity of resources is another serious challenge we face in the field of mental health, where it really is not treated as a priority. There are archaic attitudes that still exist in our society that also contribute to stigma.

Another challenge I have experienced is integrating mental health and mental health care in key populations. The LGBTIQ+ community, people living with chronic illnesses, sex workers etc., have very limited access to mental health care, and I really want to change that. Easy access to care really promotes positive outcomes in terms of recovery and well-being, and this is a basic resource that everyone should have access to. Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, we do not have enough professionals and services. I believe that mental health requires a holistic approach where physical health, social well-being and sometimes even spirituality needs to be integrated into mental health care. This is something we are striving for at The Ohana Project.

There is also the lack of cohesiveness amongst mental health professionals in Sri Lanka and this is a challenge as we work in our own silos. The flow of knowledge is often hindered due to this reason. The government and other healthcare professionals still do not really recognize Psychology as a science and a discipline.

4. When it comes to mental illness, what illnesses are commonly focused on locally?

Depression and Anxiety are some of the most prevalent mental health problems in Sri Lanka cutting across social strata and different communities. There are also people who live with serious mental health problems like Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder in different social structures. Sri Lanka has had a history of increased suicide rates with us having the world’s highest rate of suicide in the 90’s. The number of deaths by suicide has dropped significantly since then, but suicide attempts continue to increase every day. There is also self-harm or non-suicidal self-injury that is seen quite frequently amongst young people. Alcohol is another key factor that contributes to mental illness and other psychosocial problems that we have to address.

5. What factors contribute to mental illness?

A mix of factors like genetics, biology, our environment and our circumstances may cause mental illness. There is often no single cause, and there is no specific kind of individual who is vulnerable. I believe that mental illness can happen to anyone from any socio-economic background, and it does not discriminate. I strongly believe that stigma, prejudice and discrimination contribute significantly to poor mental health, especially in the LGBTIQ+ community and those who already have been diagnosed with a mental health problem. People who have experienced war and violence are also at risk of developing mental health problems. People living with certain physical health problems like cancer, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. can also be vulnerable in terms of developing mental health issues.

6. What advice would you give to someone who has a family member who suffers from mental illness? Who can they reach out to?

Read about the illness that your loved one has, ask their doctor/therapist, speak to other people who have loved one’s living with mental illness. I acknowledge that it can be very stressful and difficult sometimes to care for someone with mental illness in a country like Sri Lanka where there is not much education and support. However, this is gradually changing with more information being out there. I would also encourage family members to listen instead of offering advice or solutions (because advice hardly ever works), and to really validate their loved one’s experience.

I also believe that family members require support and someone to talk to. Find a mental health professional who is supportive and understanding, and use them as a source of information and support. There are also telephone helplines operated by organizations like Sumithrayo, Shanthi Maargam and 1333 (crisis support service) family members can reach out to, for support. Take breaks, prioritize your self-care, and remember, it is not your fault that your loved one has a mental health problem, and you cannot pour from an empty glass. Make sure your glass is full before you pour into another glass.

7. Elaborate on how corporates should address the issue of hiring employees who suffer from mental illness?

Employing people with disabilities is increasingly the focus of conversation around human rights these days. Rightly so, because people with disabilities have the right to. People living with mental health problems are still capable of contributing to society and they are not ‘damaged goods’. I think corporates really must prioritize not just hiring people with mental health issues, but really having conversations around stigma, discrimination and well-being in their respective workspaces. Hiring employees with mental health issues, comes only after existing employees and management are sensitized about mental health, rights of those with mental illness and of course around combatting stigma and discrimination.

8. What should an individual who is feeling suicidal do?

Suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone from any background. You do not have to be mentally ill to have thoughts about ending your life, and there is no ‘specific kind’ of people who have thoughts about suicide. It is important that we understand that suicidal thoughts are often temporary, they do not last forever. So, I think a person feeling suicidal can reach out to someone they trust, or a helpline in order to talk about what they are feeling. There are often options an individual can consider, and sometimes when someone is suicidal they are often see the world through a very narrow lens. Therefore, talking things through with someone can really help. It can be helpful to engage in a distracting activity like painting, exercise, household chores, or maybe writing about what you are feeling. There are other ways one can cope with problems and suicide is definitely not a healthy coping mechanism. I also want to say that feeling suicidal is not a sin, a bad thing, or a character flaw. It can happen to you and me. We can try to be more compassionate towards ourselves.

9. The younger generation is being actively involved in this movement to drag this polarizing topic into the forefront. Are there any individuals like Shavintha Fernando and his project — Semicolon Effect — you’d like to give a shout out to?

There are a few young people who are really taking the conversation around mental health forward in Sri Lanka and they need to be acknowledged. I want to mention Nathali Devinka, who after having recovered from Schizophrenia is using her experience to help other people and families cope with the illness; her book ‘Naked and Exposed’ has really shifted perspectives around mental illness. There is also Shmana Whitall who lives with mental illness, and she founded a charity called ‘Fearless Charities – Mental health Awareness and Support’, which aims to combat stigma around mental illness in Sri Lanka and she spends a lot of time helping the National Institute of Mental Health with funding and resources. There is also Shanuki De Alwis, who openly speaks about her experiences with mental health problems and I know for a fact that many young people have been influenced positively by her. Lastly, Shavintha is really a game changer in the field of mental health. He runs a support group called ‘The Semicolon Effect’ where people can come and feel supported, and talk about their mental health in a non-judgmental atmosphere. This group is a first of its kind, and it has really turned out to be a lifeline for people. I am happy that we have people like this in Sri Lanka, who push through socially-constructed boundaries and they give other people a voice.

Text: Rohitha Perera | Photography: Sampath Munaweera | Location: Mount Lavinia Hotel

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His charismatic nature sends some kind of an aura through the crowd, which creates a magnetic sensation, and his powerful voice which comes from deep within, marks his personality. His ability to call a spade a spade is something that we do not often see in the Sri Lankan society these days, and he takes criticism as another way of doing better and climbing further up the success ladder. The moment you listen to that beautiful medley ‘’Nadee ganga tharanaye’’ which was released 21 years ago, still captures our hearts and pumps up our adrenaline, our heart beat faster and all the energy vibes start running, thus making us feel enthusiastic and asking us to” go for it”. Taken out from the jimmy cliff’s original, ‘’ many rivers to cross’’ and released in 1998, it made a landmark in the Sri Lankan music history taken as one of the most iconic songs with sung with Sinhala lyrics, with a hard rock / Metal accompanied by a Bluesy touch. This veteran musician creates music to inspire and motivate people, thus bringing a difference and making each song he sings or composes turn to a work of art. That’s what makes him so unique as a musician and stands out from the rest off the crowd. There’s a lot the present generation learn from this international rock icon, and he is none other than the legendary Chitral “Chity” Somapala, always and forever.

As an international rock sensation, he has worked with many bands such as Power Quest, Fire Wind, Avalon, Faro, Domain and also the front man of his own bands Civilization one and Red Circuit. He also conquered the Cinema industry by showing his exemplary skills in music in Chandran Rutnams film, “Me wage Adarayak” Priyantha Colombage’s “Adaraneeya Kathawak “Ashoka Handagama’s Age Asa Aga” ( Let her cry) and as the music director in several other films. Chity released many memorable hits such as “Miringuwa Parada”, “Dambulu Gale” (Re make), “Man Adarei”, “Vilpaththuwe”, “Dreams of Fire”, “Believing the dream” ( Cricket World Cup 2011), to name a few. His success as a musician was not offered to him on a silver platter; but it came with years of hard work, dedication, experience and commitment.

Born to a famous singing duo, the late P.L.A and Chitra Somapala, obviously music was in his blood, and he showed signs of a promising music career, as early as age 10, when he first learnt the guitar. During his schooldays he was also a good sportsman, playing Hockey, Soccer and Cricket for Isipathana College, Colombo, but at the end he chose what he always wanted to do – becoming a musician. Expressing his views on his latest release, “Sinhalokaye Sinhaya”, and also about the music industry in general, Chitral joined us for a chat, despite his busy schedule.

Q: So tell us about your latest details of your music career these days.

A: I have started a new international rock project ‘THE SIGN’ in Sweden with the former Hammerfall bassist Magnus Rosen, the rest we have a talented musicians in the project who have been in the session field for more than 25 years, we are writing our own material at the moment and planning to release a single ‘The Land Gone Dark’ a composition of mine about the  tragic terror situation took place in Sri Lanka lately and we have planned to raise it as a fund for all the victims and their families.

Q: What inspired you to be a musician and to select music?

A: Rock is very special and I always wanted to be different from others doing something different.

Q: What was the support from your family like, in making your decision?

A:  I didn’t have any obligations; my parents advice was be careful from the jealousy of others.

Q: Do you think the local music industry scene has a long way to go, compared with the international music industry scene?

A: Indeed! I’m very critical about it, first of all we don’t have internationally related record labels and for that we need to collaborate with other countries in the world, Our people are so close minded and arrogant for some reason, Politically we are corrupted, we need to stop piracy, we need to have a specific control on illegal downloads via internet, we have become slaves without any confidence to the entire world, people may blame me but I don’t care, this is all because lack of being open minded to the world culture.

Q: You are mostly known as a globally acclaimed rock artist. How do you feel about also switching on to classical music alongside rock music?

A: I do have classical influences in my music cos. Rock is coming from a classical background.

Q: How was the response for your recent single, “Sinhalokaye Sinhaya” and what is the audience do you think embraced it most?

A: The song itself has a positive vibe but there are jealous musicians think that it was done for an advertising purpose who are lack in their creativity, they’ve got no backbone at all, The Eye Specialist and National Title Winner Athlete Dr.Pandula Basnayake sent me a message saying I was able to win the national title after listening to it, he said that gave him the courage after hearing those words, I meet a lot of people when I go for performances and after having few conversations I felt these people have lost their confidence and courage all because of politics, so I need to give them some motivation and I decided to get hold of kelum srimal to write lyrics according to my idea and he did it, I did the entire production in Europe having Hussain Jiffry – Bass, Chandresh Kudwa – Guitar and Oscar Seaton Jr. on Drums, It’s an International Line Up, I did the rest arranging, singing and playing the keyboards on it.

Q: I believe the story behind releasing the song was very unique. Can you tell us a bit about it?

A: To give courage and confidence to all those believers in dirty politics and have lost their mind believing lies.

Q: You seem to get criticized for your way of creating music and being westernized. Do you think Sri Lankans are being a way too traditional and backward?

A: We’ve been always westernized as a family, We’ve been thought to be open-minded, In my younger days I remember my parents friends/musicians were all westernized people, I can’t help that certain people have been bullied by politicians to be nationalists, I feel sorry for them cos. They are losers, I won’t change, I shall always be Chitral Somapala who I have been and still, Nationalists should consult immediate physiological help I must say.

Q: You also worked as a music director for several films like “Let her cry”, “Dedunu Akase” and “Me wage adarayak” what was your experience like, working under different film directors?

A: With Certain Directors I got along and with certain ones NO, My argument is the director should not get involved in the music department, A director is a person who should look for the picture and not for the sound, If you’d look at the international film industry they have a special department for music to take care of, in Sri Lanka Director wants to be the Jack of All Trades, That doesn’t work but That’s our downfall, But I must say after few arguments we have come to certain agreements so it still does work but that’s not the correct rule though.

Q: Do you have any inspirational figures when it comes to the music scene?

A: A lot but Frank Zappa is my favorite cos. He did not give a damn about anything.

Q: You recently held a solo concert called “Lalitha Kala” which was based on your parents’ songs. Do you hope to continue with it as a concert series?

A: It was great, a very special crowd, a decent crowd and of course I shall continue.

Q: What are the techniques you would focus on when composing a melody or a song?

A: So many, I never sit on the instrument without an idea cos. I don’t wanna jam and confuse my mind, I need to be focused and clear what I’m gonna produce.

Q: What would be your advice to those who wish to enter the music scene?

A: Get yourself educated in humanity and respect others.

Q: Finally, how would you describe yourself in a nutshell?

A: I’ll always be CHITRAL “CHITY” SOMAPALA

Written by Sureshni Pilapitiya