Recipe for a contented life

by Lakmal Welabada

"Wherever I go, there will be a child of any age who would greet. this means much more to me than all the money in the world" says a famous TV personality, Hasantha Srilal Hettiarachchi alias"Dadibidis".

His famous programme 'Atapattama' telecast every Tuesday, and 'Doramadalawa', TV a talk show that enlightens the mind. This programme is telecast on Monday nights Both programmes are on ITN. These programmes are an instant draw and have held the audience spell bound for many years. Survey Research Lanka (SRL) shows that more than 7 lakhs TV viewers switch onto ITN to view these two programmes.

'Doramadalawa' means 'Dwara Mandalaya', the doors are opened to every facet for discussion . Although Buddhist philosophy and Sinhalese culture is highlighted and discussed in the programme, Hasantha is careful not to hurt the sentiments of any other religion.

This is why 'Doramadalawa' has become so popular in areas where Christians and Muslims live, the SRL survey reveals. "People like to extract good things from anybody and apply it to themselvesin order to lead a contended life. It is my philosophy, and that is the reason that made my programmes so popular among TV viewers of all sections of society," explains Hasantha.

"I, myself have learnt a lot through my own programmes. I might be the only person who has sat and listened to the whole series of programmes on 'Doramadalawa' without missing a single episode from the time I began doing the programme since I have been conducting it.

Nearly 175 discussions have been telecast so far. In each programme we have discussed a very timely and important social issue," says Hasantha who holds the post of Manager - Creativity Development at ITN.

Hasantha first appeared before a TV camera when he was a 11-year-old school boy on the 'Muthuhara' children's programme produced by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

His very first poetry book 'visa katu' (poisonous thorns) published in the same year was brought forth on this programme. Born to a business family in Warakapola amidst three siblings, Hasantha had his education at Bandaranaike Maha Vidyalaya, Meerigama.

He was a bright and popular student at school. His school days were spent reading good literature, writing stories, composing poems, scripting stage plays and producing and acting in his own school plays. He headed many school societies and was the school captain too. His school was everything to him.

After attending 'Muthuhara' and a number of other children's TV programmes on Rupavahini, Hasantha had an intermission period away from the TV presentations. He decided to try out his luck before the camera once again when he was in the final year of the Colombo University doing a Sinhala Special in Mass Communication as a sub-subject.

All the three channels he applied for, immediately called him to work. Among them was ITN. He joined ITN as a Guest Producer and a Presenter in 1996. From then onwards there was no stopping this creative youth trying out his ideas.

'Sigiriya' and 'Siripada' were the very first documentaries produced by this young guest producer. 'Siyathrawaya', 'Vee Man Saa', 'Vishva Yaathra' and 'Kedella' were among some of the other popular programmes produced by Hasantha before he left the country to obtain his Masters degree at the Wako University in Tokyo. "There I got the chance to work closely with the NHK, Japanese National TV channel.

This helped him to get a good knowledge especially the technical side of TV. This experience was a great exposure for me," he reminisces.

Though Hasantha was given the opportunity to continue his studies for the PhD by the Wako University, he returned to Sri Lanka, and then went back to ITN because of his committment and dedication to it Hasantha has authored ten books.

His short story 'Parajithayo' won the best Youth Award in 1990. He won the tele award for best announcer in 2004 and 2005, and was one of the Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka at the award ceremony organised by the International Junior Chamber of Commerce in 2003.

'Doramadalawa' won the Excellent TV programme award at the Sumathi Tele Awards in 2004. Hasantha was offered 'Keerthi Sri', an honourary degree by the Sabaragamuwa University, and won the Best TV presenter award at the first State Tele (TV) Award festival held two weeks ago.

His programmes have been an eye opener to many. Reading, watching wildlife, camping in jungles and bathing in rivers and canals are among his pastimes.