Swarnavahini scotches baseless rumours

Commenting on recent web reports that the channel was up for sale, Swarnavahini’s Director Programmes Buddhika Kulasekara told Daily Mirror Life that a well-organized group appeared to be behind these dirty tricks aimed at scuttling the booming journey of Swarnavahini.

“We are contemplating on taking legal action against such culprits who are being identified now. We have received vital information about these elements who have stooped to such degrading levels. Such cheap actions stemming from corrupt elements will only motivate us to rise up the ladder faster and stronger and will in no way affect us in any manner,” he said paying splendid compliments to his staff members whom he termed as talented, dedicated and committed to make Swarnavahini the number one channel in the country.

Speaking about the instant success of Swarnavahini’s much-hyped reality programme ‘Mega Star’, Buddhika said he was overwhelmed by the success and feedback the mega programme was getting from day one.

“We are extremely particular about the quality of the prorgamme in every department. We have some of the best personalities handling the judging process, the music department, the choreography and the production. The 36 contestants here are not amateurs. They are popular figures from various fields with a flair for singing,” said Buddhika.

Is there any chances of songs being distorted in this programme?

“Is there any criteria to measure the levels of distortion? But our participants do their best to do justice to the original songs. It must be remembered that originals are originals. Nobody can reproduce an original. Anything sung after the original will obviously be a duplicate, irrespective of whether it is being sung in a studio, party, at home, on any media or even in the bathroom. But what has to borne in my mind is that this is just a competition like what is being done elsewhere and these songs are not being aired in a different place other than during the competition. It is only being used to gauge the singing talents of the participants who are popular faces. We always try to do our best to retain the best of quality in these songs,” he said.

“This competition will see the gradual improvement of the participants whose fate in the competition will solely depend on sms votes of the people. Besides this our panel comprises veteran musician Visharada Shirley Waijantha who is regarded as the perfect man for the job. Minister Mervyn Silva’s comments are also going to be a crucial factor in shaping the mindsets of the people and then come other panelists like seasoned campaigners Rosy Senanayake and Rajiv Sebastian. All-rounder Aruna Lian who is an expert in several global music technologies handles the music direction in Mega Star. I strongly believe we are blessed with the best and competent team and I will guide them to make Swarnavahini the number one channel of this country. I have confidence in me and my team and that is why I accepted the challenge head-on by airing Mega Star on the best time belt in the country. We have already made it a hit,” said Buddhika Kulasekara who has indeed made significant progress in fortifying Swarnavahini’s position within the past 18 months in his capacity as Director Programmes.

Besides Mega Star, Swarnavahini has a whole array of electrifying programmes catering to the young, old, youth and the children alike. Among the other hits are Talent Sri Lanka, 100% Live, Coffee With Lahiru and Muditha, Hello Sri Lanka, The Great Travel, Satharalankaraya and on top of all that the well-balanced ‘Live at 8’ is rated as the most-watched number one news bulletin. The ‘Rathu Ira’ political segment is also seen and respected for its credibility.

“We have no political agenda and that provides us the ideal platform to work and discharge our duties independently. I must also place on record that it was my senior programmes producer Sajeewa Prathapasinghe who came with the suggestion for a programme like ‘Mega Star’. I took it seriously and worked on it and I am proud that it is not a carbon copy of any foreign reality programmes.

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