Nimal Mendis is one of Sri Lanka's greatest singer/songwriters. His hits such as 'Master Sir,' 'Razor Edge,' 'Feel Like A Clown' and other songs have become all time classics in South Asia.They have been played not only on Radio Ceylon but also on Radio Luxembourg and the BBC among a number of radio stationsaround the world.
Vernon Corea introduced Nimal Mendis' music over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon and subsequently the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Nimal Mendis paid a tribute to Vernon Corea:
' Vernon Corea, Livy Wijemanne and Jimmy Barucha were instrumental in highlighting my first song " Kiss Kiss Kiss " on Radio in Sri Lanka.The song was recorded with Mary Marshall and a group I formed called the Kandyans. All Sri Lankans, the group consisted of Mano Chanmugam, Percy de Silva and Anura.The producer of the record was Dennis Preston who later had that great number one hit with Acker Bilk " Stranger on the Shore" . He became the hero of the fifties and sixties British Traditional Jazz revival. It was Vernon who picked up on the publicity and when I came back to Sri Lanka the song was already making waves on Radio Ceylon of the time.
Vernon became more than the Radio Journalist to me. He was to become a friend, not only he, but his entire family. I remember the hours spent with them in their home in Maha Nuga gardens in Kollupitiya. The friendship picked up again when the family moved to London . Vernon now had become the ' international ' broadcaster with the BBC. The stature he had received was no bar to his personality. He was still the same, friendly and always ready to help.With pleasure I write this little piece in memory of Vernon.....'
Nimal Mendis
-Sri Lanka's international musician and TV Producer
