A fulfilling experience

by Lakmal Welabada

Susara Dinal de Silva organised the 'Sirasa Super Star'show. Susara, Director-Station overseas the administrative and operational matters at Sevena TV and radio channels - Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, Channel 1 MTV, Sirasa-FM, Shakthi-FM, YES-FM and Y-FM at Depanama, Pannipitiya.

Leisure has no place in his life. Susara hardly finds time for a proper meal at lunchtime or dinner. Breakfast would be the only 'sit and eat' feast for the whole day. Otherwise it would be just a quick snack while driving from Depanama to Colombo head office or vice versa. Though he just turned thirty, he has been able to prove his competency and acumen.

Question: How do you face the storms that come your way?

Susara:Well, there was a time that I used to react to them. But now I think it's a waste of time and energy. Today I have no time to think of rivalry or evil and I direct my thoughts to creativity.

Susara stayed completed his studies at Mahanama College, Colombo. He learnt his first letters at Doonagaha Ranasinhe Vidyalaya, Peellawatta Kanishta Vidyalaya, Minuwangoda area and Kumara Vidyalaya, Mahara. Parents had high aspirations for him to end up as a professional - a doctor, engineer or a lawyer. "I entered the University of Colombo, following International relations, Journalism and Sinhala. I have one more year to complete," he laughs saying his busy life does not give him to study.

Though he is stuck with his Bachelor's Degree, he is a qualified lawyer.

Susara excelled as a debater and orator when he was schooling.

"When I got results for A/Ls in Arts, I needed one mark more for university entrance. At this point it was my extra curricular activities that helped me. The University Grants Commission decided to let me in after considering my achievements at island wide level," he explains.

Susara was called by 'Lak Handa-FM' of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Simultaneously he got the chance to be one of the first batch of announcers recruited by 'Swarnavahini TV' as well. He excelled in both TV and radio. He mastered the art of announcing on both .

Swarnavahini news filler 'Live at 8' was one of the turning points in his life. He entered Sirasa as a News Producer in August 2002. After handling many special assignments, and going through greasy tunnels aiming 'possible-impossible' goals and missions day and night, the young producer honed his abilities. He was appointed Manager Weekend TV in July 2003, and after fulfilling the set targets within six months Susara became the Director- Weekend Programming.

In 2004, he was appointed Director Sirasa FM. "After relaunching Sirasa FM, I wanted to introduce something novel. At that time Y-FM was producing a 'Super Star' programme, and I was inspired.

'Either lead, follow or get out of the way'... the motto embossed on a brass plaque stood on the executive table right in front of him seems to be the slogan of the young Director.