Able to captivate anybody

by Lakmal Welabada

It was the day the LTTE blasted a Claymore mine at Kebithigollewa and killed nearly sixty two civilians. It is usual on days like this for any media institution to be busy. We were waiting at the Swarnavahini TV Reception foyer. We were to meet Harindra Jayalal, News Producer and Programme Presenter of Swarnavahini. It looked like a busy day for him. A bad day to catch him for a personal interview. We had to wait, and he had to be interviewed. Being on a tight schedule , he got a few minutes off and gave us the interview.

"Sometimes, I become emotional. Now I have built up resistance and credibility within me and strengthened myself to face any situation. If you have the dedication, talent and discipline nothing can put you down," he believes. "I may not go out of the way to help others, but I am extra careful not to be a disturbance to them. Hurting someone's feelings on purpose is not my motto. I want to tread a path with a clear conscience," he continues.

Harindra's intellectual and wit has always won the TV audience. No matter what topic he discusses, his unique accent captivates anybody who sits before the small screen. It's a marvel this 'six footer' has been blessed with such skill to convey to the audience exactly what he wants to say. As a child Harindra was a bright student.

But his cleverness once put his mother into deep trouble. "During that time I was schooling at Liyanawala Primary School, Homagama which was close to our residence at Watareka. My mother wanted my brother to enter the present school I am attending. Simultaneously she tried to put me to Piyarathana Vidyalaya, Padukka.

The Principal at Liyanawala school who got really offended with my mother for removing me from her school put a strange condition. 'I will take your elder son to my school, only if you let Harindra to continue to study here' was her demand. My mother who really wanted to put me to Piyarathana had to find another school for my brother. That incident was so memorable," he smiles.

Harindra's mom was the inspiring soul in his life since he lost his father when he was seven years. His mother brought her three sons up by running a little Montessori at her place. Children of the village from around their place came here. It was a great opportunity for little Harindra as well.

This foundation helped him to be where he is today. Harindra has a BA special in Philosophy from the University of Sri Jayawardhanepura.

He is studying for his Masters in Mass Communication at the University of Kelaniya.Harindra was clever and had special skills for language, writing, oratory, debating and organising many activities in student societies while he was in school. Pannaloka Daham Pasala at Watareka taught him discipline and helped him to sharpen his inborn writing and oratory skills.

His by line and little drawings could always be seen in children's papers like 'Handa Mama', 'Wijaya' and 'Mihira'.

Haven't you ever tried to improve your drawing skills?

I haven't put any special effort to it. But I draw cartoons even now, that is during the little break we get while at the live news bulletin. When the sports news is on, and the camera is turned away from us, I scribble on the reverse side of the newsprint and exchange it with my counterpart beside me at the news reading desk who also scribbles back. (laughs)

He is well informed both locally and internationally.

"I feel feverish if I don't read all the daily papers in the morning. And that is not merely because I have to be vigilant on current issues.

This habit is already in my blood now," he says.

Harindra thinks a media person should be like a computer. "We should be well versed and should have the ability to talk on any subject," he stresses. So he collects information and stores them in his brain for future use bulletins.

Harindra was just an eighteen year-old A/L student when he got the opportunity to contribute to 'Shriyavi' weekly women's magazine as a health reporter in 1995. Just after sitting for the A/Ls on the following year, he went for the interview at 'Lak Handa' and was selected. After a successful training period there and while enjoying campus life, Harindra joined 'Tharu FM' (now 'Sha FM').

His very first TV appearance was in 'Miyurasa Dahara', a musical programme on 'Channel I'on Rupavahini. He joined Swarnavahini in October 2001. The news brief he presented with Edwin Ariyadasa won fame at that time.

Harindra has been really fortunate as he got the chance to handle many subjects and issues with out any restriction - religious, cultural, arts, current affairs, news, national events and election transmissions at Swarnavahini. He acknowledges Hema Nalin Karunaratne, Programme Director with gratitude for his never ending encouragement.

"I have travelled abroad thrice; that was to India, Thailand and Malaysia either to attend a workshop or as a representative of our TV institution.

I have collected information about thirty to fourty UN member countries. Publishing a book with information of all these countries is one of my future ambitions. I think this will be useful for our school children as well," he expects.

Being the co-ordinator between French well- wishers and the tsunami children's Montessori at Unavatuna, Galle, and rendering his duties to the fullest for the 'Jana Sarana' programme are his main charity work.

Harindra leads a simple, serene and a well- planned systematical life. His ultimate aim is to reach the top of his profession and to achieve the highest academic qualifications.