Vernon Corea 1927 - 2002

Whenever the Sri Lankan superstar, the iconic Annesley Malewana performs on stage, he never fails to talk about the legendary Radio Ceylon broadcaster, Vernon Corea. For it was Vernon Corea who helped Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana and the Moonstones reach a wider audience through his radio programmes over the the airwaves of Radio Ceylon in the 1960s when the Moonstones were yearning to reach the top in the world of music and entertainment.

The Moonstones who hailed from Ratnapura were first managed by Vernon's cousin, Sri Sangabo Corea. Sangey as he is known asked his cousin to help Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana and the group. Vernon helped them without hesitation - they visited him frequently in Maha Nuge Gardens and Vernon taught them the workings of public relations and marketing and above all he for the first time introduced their music on the English service, the Commercial Service, of Radio Ceylon. This was an absolute first, for Sinhala popular music to feature on English radio programmes in Sri Lanka. In a sense, Radio Ceylon 'discovered' the Moonstones and helped them on their way to stardom.

What's more the Moonstones topped the English charts on Radio Ceylon. They became household names as a result of the exposure on the oldest radio station in South Asia. Vernon also took to the print media to help Clarence and Annesley and wrote the first ever article on the Moonstones in his EMCEE Column in the Ceylon Daily News in the 1960s.

The late Clarence Wijewardena composed 'Piyaneni' as a tribute in song to Vernon's father, Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, who has been the vicar of St.Luke's Church Borella and St.Paul's Church in Milagiriya. Cannon Ivan Corea had served the poorest of the poor - the Rodiya Community in Sri Lanka. Clarence's tribute to Reverend Corea was a moving song about a father's love for his children.

Not only did Vernon help Annesley when he was in Radio Ceylon, in the 1970s he introduced them to London and a new audience of Londoners when he played the music of the Moonstones and the Super Golden Chimes on his popular BBC Radio London 206 programme, 'London Sounds Eastern,' produced by the legendary Keith Yeomans. Many people in London, in the United Kingdom, sent in requests for songs by Clarence Wijewardena and Annesley Malewana.

Whenever Annesley Malewana performs, whether it is in Colombo or in Melbourne he never fails to remember Vernon Corea's acts of kindness - he lifted them up when they were young musicians seeking to reach the top. Whenever Annesley sings 'Piyaneni,' he always thinks about Vernon Corea. Vernon broke down in tears when Clarence and Annesley performed the song to a packed London audience in 1994.

Vernon Corea mentored Sri Lanka's 'King of Pop' the late Clarence Wijewardena who sadly died on December 13th 1996. The early demise of the great Clarence Wijewardena was a loss to the nation as he was a pioneer of Sinhala Pop music.

Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana and the Moonstones hailed from Ratnapura in Sri Lanka. They were managed by Vernon's cousin, advertising man Sri Sangabo Corea. It was Sri Sangabo Corea who approached his cousin Vernon who was working in Radio Ceylon and asked him to help this new group from Ratnapura. Vernon Corea agreed to mentor Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malewana and the group - they visited him at his residence in Maha Nuge Gardens in Kollupitiya in the 1960s. It was the beginning of a very close relationship and friendship with Clarence and Annesley.

The very first news article on the Moonstones was written by Vernon Corea for his EMCEE Column in the Ceylon Daily News. Vernon who had created history by playing Sinhala music for the first time on the English Services of Radio Ceylon soon promoted the music of the Moonstones - 'Dunhinda Manamali,' 'Mango Nanda,' were huge hits over the airwaves of the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon.

Clarence asked Vernon if he would write the notes for an Lotus LP Sleeve. Vernon said: "We have all shared the treat of your lovely Lyrics, your tuneful compositions, your friendly presentation and your spontaneous sense of sharing with your followers, your treasury of talent. Keep going, keep growing, keep glowing".

Clarence and Annesley were frequent visitors to Maha Nuge Gardens when they visited Vernon. It was in Maha Nuge Gardens in Kollupitiya that Clarence and Annesley met Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, Vernon's father, before he died in 1968. Reverend Corea was a gentle human being who had championed the rights of the poor, particularly Sri Lanka's Rodiya Community when he was Vicar of St.Luke's Church, Borella. Clarence composed the heartwarming tribute to a father, 'Piyaneni' in memory of the late Reverend Canon Ivan Corea.

The recording took place one morning in 1972 at the recording studio of Augie Ranaweera in Bambalapitiya. Clarence and Annesley were backed by the Super Golden Chimes. The musicians needed someone to provide music from a Yamaha organ - Vernon contacted the famed Helen Lucas who agreed to play. Her Yamaha organ had to be transported from her home via a lorry to Augie Ranaweera's studio. Clarence had used the Bossa nova rhythm for this beautiful tribute to Reverend Corea.

'Piyaneni' soon became a huge hit in South Asia for Clarence Wijewardena, during his lifetime. The vocals were provided by Annesley Malewana. 'Piyaneni' has been sung by Annesley Malewana at music concerts all over the world. When he sings it Annesley can never forget the help and support of Vernon Corea when they were young musicians yearning to hit the big time in the world of popular music in Sri Lanka.

Annesley recalls: "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.

'Piyaneni' is a moving tribute to a caring and loving father and it was composed by Clarence Wijewardena in memory of the kind hearted priest Reverend Canon Ivan Corea.

You can listen to 'Piyaneni' on an mp3 here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tmi3hv

Here is CNN's Max Foster interview with Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK marking the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April 2008:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/04/02/intv.austism.corea.cnn

The UK Autism Foundation has called for action on Poverty and Autism on United Nations World Autism Awareness Day scheduled to be held on 2nd April 2009.

World Autism Awareness Day was launched for the first time on 2nd April 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on the recommendation of the State of Qatar.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a message to mark UN World Autism Awareness Day 2008, paid tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, who strive every day “to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope.”

In his message marking the Day, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, stressed the need to build enabling environments for children with disabilities so they can prosper as future members of their communities, citizens of their countries and as fully-fledged members of the global community.

“Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow,” he stated.

The Secretary-General noted that throughout its history, the UN has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities.

“It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights, and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006,” he added.

The UK Autism Foundation is appealing to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN General Assembly to take action on Poverty and Autism. The credit crunch and the the deepening global economic recession has placed huge pressure on families and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. There are many more families below the poverty line. Many have to decide between heating and eating.

In the United Kingdom 42 parliamentarians of all parties have signed David Drew MP's early day motion 710 on Autism Sunday, calling for greater financial support for people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome and for an end to re-possessions of homes belonging to families with autism.

Ivan Corea said: 'The United Nations Secretary General and the UN General Assembly must address the needs of the poor on United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April 2009. The global economic recession has brought enormous pressures onto families and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Many still suffer without proper public services. Now some have to decide between heating and eating as they face Fuel Poverty. They need help in 2009 to face the economic crisis. We appeal to the United Nations to take real action on WAAD.'

The leaders of G20 countries meet in London on UN World Autism Awareness Day. President Barack Obama is also due in London to attend the G20 Conference. It affords an opportunity for G20 leaders to reach out to families with autism below the poverty line on WAAD.The UK Autism Foundation has urged G20 leaders to help the poor.

Vernon Corea supported the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

Proposals intended to improve support for people with autism have been debated in Parliament, with families affected by the disability hoping the plans could eventually transform their lives.

To read Stephen Robb's feature on BBC News please see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7913873.stm

Here is the song for Autism, 'Open Every Door' released as a film on YouTube. The song is sung by the Asian superstar Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis. 'Open Every Door' is released through Media Eye Music in London.

The song was written about Vernon Corea's grandson, Charin. Radio stations around the world including many BBC and independent radio stations in the UK played 'Open Every Door' on Autism Sunday 2009 on 8th February.

Autism Sunday 2009 - the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome was observed on 8th February by Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations all over the world. People remembered over 60 million people with autism around the world in prayer. Autism Sunday was also used to lobby and campaign on the serious issues surrounding autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Vernon Corea wrote prayers for autism in 2002 Autism Awareness Year in the United Kingdom. These prayers were used in many churches around the world. Vernon Corea's grandson has autism - he had a deep and abiding love for his grandson.

Vernon Corea (1927 - 2002) was a pioneering broadcaster with Radio Ceylon/SLBC and the BBC. He was the BBC's Ethnic Minorities Advisor in the late 1970s-1980s. His grandson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United Kingdom. Vernon Corea fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign.

He was present at the first ever service for autism at St.Paul's Cathedral in London in 2002 Autism Awareness Year. He was also a Lay Reader at Emmanuel Church in Wimbledon, South West London and at Christ Church Gipsy Hill in South East London. Vernon Corea was a frequent guest on 'Thought For the Day' on BBC Radio 2.

He wrote these prayers remembering people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome all over the world.

Autism is on the rise in the United Kingdom and across the world, it is now a serious health and education issue facing our nation.

A Prayer for the Autistic Community

Gracious Father,
Thank you for giving us your Son
To teach us and forgive us.
He suffered and died for us,
And while he was on this earth
He healed the sick
And touched the lives
Of everyone.

We now commit the lives
Of all autistic people in our nation
Into Your loving care.
We ask you to lay Your hands on them
And give them Your peace.
Give them the power of the Holy Spirit
To make them whole.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

From a Child -

Jesus,
Thank you
That you are there for me
There are many things I'd like to do better-
Like speaking and writing.
I ask you to help me.
You have already helped me in many ways.
Sometimes I see the world in pictures -
I like to draw, to watch TV.
I like to do many more things,
Which I can't do.
So please lay your hands on me
And bless me.
Be with me Lord Jesus
At home and in school.

Thank you for my parents, my family,
My teachers and support workers
And all those who are helping me.
Thank you Jesus, Amen.

CNN - the international channel really highlighted autism for several days -it was unique coverage by the news channel to mark the first ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, declared by the UN General Assembly and tabled by the State of Qatar, on Wednesday 2nd April 2008. WAAD was fully supported by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. This event was historic and CNN dedicated so much television time to autism.

CNN has now released the 'Fighting for Autism,' Report by the respected CNN anchor Max Foster from London. CNN interviewed Ivan Corea, son of Vernon Corea who has spearheaded the Autism Awareness Campaign.

Vernon Corea fully supported the work of the the Autism Awareness Campaign UK.

The distinguished singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis who wrote the song for autism, 'Open Every Door' will be releasing a new cover version sung by the South Asian musician Gresha Schuilling to mark the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in New York for Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

Nimal Mendis was a close friend of the late Vernon Corea who promoted his music over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon in the 1950s. Nimal Mendis wrote the song for autism 'Open Every Door' for Vernon Corea's grandson,Charin.

This is the first ever song for autism written by a South Asian singer/songwriter. The song is being released through Media Eye Music in London.

For further information please see:
http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com

Sri Lanka's 'Ambassador for Autism,' Gresha Schuilling has released her first single in the United Kingdom - it is a Christmas single titled: 'Cold Cold Night' released by MediaEye Music in London.

'Cold Cold Night' was written by the distinguished Sri Lanka born singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis and his son Paul Marie Mendis who live in the UK. Nimal Mendis was a close friend of Vernon Corea. Vernon has played his music not only on Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation but also on BBC Radio London's 'London Sounds Eastern.'

To download Gresha Schuilling's 'Cold Cold Night' Christmas single for only 49 pence please access the website:

http://www.mediaeyeproductions.com/gresha.html

To read the World Music Central article on Gresha Schuilling: http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20071117184314243