M.J Perera
| M. J. Perera | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Mapatunage James Perera 3 February 1915 Padukka, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 14 March 2002 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Government Bilingual School, Padukka (currently M.D.H. Jayawardena Kanishta Vidyalaya) Nalanda College, Colombo |
| Occupation | Education / Broadcasting / Television executive |
| Employer | The Government of Sri Lanka |
| Known for | The first Ceylonese Director-General of Radio Ceylon first Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation |
| Predecessor | John Lampson, Director-General, Radio Ceylon |
| Spouse(s) | Gnathie Ratna |
Mapatunage James "M. J." Perera was a Sri Lankan civil servant (3 February 1915 – 14 March 2002) with nine members in his family in Udumulla, Padukka. He created broadcasting history by being the first Ceylonese Director General of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia, taking over the helm from John Lampson of the BBC.
Perera witnessed the transformation of Radio Ceylon as King of the Airwaves in South Asia the radio station was the market leader and the number one radio station in the region during the 1950s and 1960s, with a loyal base of millions of listeners. Radio Ceylon enjoyed huge success under his leadership.
Clifford Dodd, an Australian administrator, was appointed (via the Colombo Plan) as the first Director of the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon and he contributed to the station's popularity across the Indian sub-continent.
Perera was also appointed the first Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation,the island's television station and the country's first competent authority.
Perera was born on 3 February 1915 in Udumulla, Padukka, in a family of nine. He was educated at Rajabisheka Vidyalaya (Primary education) - Padukka Nalanda College Colombo and at the University of Ceylon. He became an assistant Government Agent and went on to become the Permanent Secretary of the Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry and later as first Chairman of the Rupavahini (Television) Corporation, retiring from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service after 48 years public service.
Desabandu Mr.M.J.Perera
Curriculum Vitae
Born – 3rd February 1915 at Padukka
Student Career
Attended Government Bilingual School, Padukka from 1920 – 1927. (Later renamed as Rajabhisheka Kanishta Vidyalaya and currently M.D.H. Jayawardena Kanishta Vidyalaya. Passed B.S.L.C. and E.S.L.C. in 1st Division. Entered Nalanda College, Colombo – 1928 to 1932. Cambridge Senior 1st Division with exemption from London Matriculation twice as underage to enter University first time. Entered Ceylon University College 1933, Intermediate in Arts (London) 1939 with Pali, Sanskrit, English and Logic. Bachelor of Arts (University of London) Indo-Aryan (Hons.) 1st Class in 1936, Honours Course covered in 2 years. Won Government Scholarship and joined London School of Oriental Studies and studied under Professor Turner, Dr. Stede and Mr. Rylands for a post-graduate course but interrupted studies and returned to Ceylon on passing the Ceylon Civil Service Examination in 1938 getting 3rd place in order of merit in the whole examination. (1st place in the written papers.)
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