Sri Lankan Film Director G.D.L.Perera’s ‘Rata Giya Aththo’ teledrama

Vernon Corea knew the celebrated Sri Lankan film director G.D.L.Perera who directed ‘Rata Giya Aththo.’ (Photograph courtesy Sunday Observer Sri Lanka)

Vernon Corea knew the celebrated Sri Lankan film director G.D.L.Perera very well. G.D.L.was living in London in the 1980s – at the time Vernon was the BBC’s first ever Ethnic Minorities Advisor and he was also presenting his hugely popular radio programme, ‘London Sounds Eastern,’ on BBC Radio London 206. He has mentioned the iconic teledrama ‘Rata Giya Aththo’ by G.D.L. Perera in 1980 on the BBC. G.D.L.’s teledrama was filmed in the United Kingdom and in Sri Lanka. Vernon also met G.D.L. at several functions in London in the 1980s.

Here are some clips on youtube of G.D.L.Perera’s famous teledrama ‘Rata Giya Aththo.’

Scenes from ‘Rata Giya Aththo in this television documentary on the life of film director G.D.L.Perera:

Vernon was also invited by G.D.L. to a special screening of his English Language children’s film in London called ‘Peter of the Elephants.’

Ceylon in 1940

Sri Lanka in 1940 seen through the eyes of an American traveller. Rare footage of Sri Lanka.Vernon Corea was only 13 years old in 1940 and lived at the Vicarage in St.Luke’s Church Borella.

Calling on Colombo, Ceylon in 1961

The Dutch freighter SS Johore called on Colombo,Ceylon/Sri Lanka more than fifty years ago. The time that container shipment was still unknown and there were far more Dutch executive crew on board. One of them has shore leave and enjoys the City of Colombo. Marine engineer Kees Renard took this film. Rare footage of Colombo in 1961.

Rare photographs and maps of Sri Lanka – more than 100 years ago

This is an interesting collection of rare photographs and maps of Sri Lanka from more than 100 years ago.

Sri Lanka – Ceylon in 1948

Some rare footage of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon in 1948, the year the island won her independence from Great Britain. Vernon Corea was 21 years old in 1948. An old German educational film showing the interior of the island as it looked like after World War 2.

Top British Chef Rick Stein in Sri Lanka

Top British Chef, Rick Stein visited Sri Lanka as part of his Far Eastern Odyssey which was featured on BBC 2. Rick Stein brought Sri Lanka’s famed cuisine to the forefront of mainstream television in the United Kingdom – he certainly focused on cuisine that Vernon Corea loved. Here are some films on youtube of Rick Stein’s journey to Sri Lanka. Vernon knew Chef Publis who is a celebrity chef at the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Sri Lanka. Rick Stein met and interviewed Chef Publis.