Sri Dharma Daja Deshamanya award to Kothalawala

The Institute of National Honorary Awards under its program to award titles to eminent persons has conferred its prestigious award, Sri Dharma Daja Deshamanya title for Politics, Social welfare on Director General of National Rupavahini Corporation(SLRC), Sisira Kothalawala. This is in recognition of his long service to the community, political field, religions and art.

Kothalawala who counts over 30 year experience in electronic media, joined the Department of Information in 1978 and was attached to its film unit as an editor and assistant director. In 1981, he joined the Independence Television Network (ITN). Later he joined the SLRC when it was incepted in 1982.

Since then, Kothalawala has served over 25 years at the SLRC. He held several responsible positions including Producer, Senior Producer, Executive Producer, Head of Non formal Education and Religious Unit, Director Program, Deputy Director General and Additional Director General during his tenure at SLRC, until he was appointed Director General in 2005.

He has received training in television broadcasting in Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, India, Thailand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA and represented Sri Lanka in many other international seminars and conferences.

In recognition of his contribution and service, he has also received awards from community organizations such as Lions Club.

Kothalawala was appointed president of Gampaha Lions Club in 2000 and, in that capacity he represented the World Lions Conference in Korea in the same year.

He served as a visiting lecturer at the Sri Jayawardanapura University in 2006 and received an award from the University of Colombo in appreciation of his service and leadership in 2006.

He was a Director of the National Youth Service Council and a member of the Advisory Council of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission in 2006.Kothalawala is also an award winning stage drama actor. He has also contributed articles to various newspapers and has written several lyrics during this period.