Padmasiri Gunawardena is a Polymath, Multipotentiality Renaissance person ,Professional Banker, radio Broadcaster, television Host, compere in musical Concerts, Lyricist and Author – By Sunil Thenabadu
Multipotentiality is an educational and psychological term referring to the ability and preference of an individual, specifically one of strong intellectual or artistic marvel to excel in two or more distinctive fields. The person’s whose interest span in multiple fields rather than being robust in just one field. One such unique individual is Padmasiri Gunawardena who has excelled in multiple fields such as a radio broadcaster, television presenter, compere in outdoor music concerts, lyricist, author and a professional banker for well over two decades. He reminisces that the former minister Kingsley T Wickremaratne had been instrumental in his access to the banking profession Padmasiri had excelled in these fields solely with his innate competencies’ sans any hereditary affiliations
Padmasiri was born as the second sibling in a family of five brothers and one sister to humble parents, father Arnolis Gunawardena been the only bread winner attached to marketing department while mother Janenona Gunawardena who remained a typical loyal housewife. Padmasiri reminisces that the family has had to navigate over many hurdles to make end meet as the family was largely having had to depend only on father’s paltry income, Padmasiri then felt the only option was to study to come up in life despite numerous adversities Their modest dwelling was in Ihala Bomiriya in Kaduwela electorate which was situated in a peaceful set up in the vicinity of the Kelani reiver , away from the hassle and buzzle busy life of the city. It offered a calm and simple lifestyle that’s so hard to find in urban areas. In the village, life moved at a slower pace, having a beautiful flora landscape beyond which was Malwana village historically well renowned as it had been reigned under the Portuguese regime in the ancient era.
Padmasiri has had his primary education at the village Ihala Bomiriya Junior school while the secondary was received at Bomiriya Maha Vidyalaya.Padmasiri recollects an incident while studying in the advanced level class. In the weekly commerce society meeting the Master in charge O K Lionel forced the students to perform whatever item from the meeting that followed, as initially no one was prepared to perform. But they were told that in the four classes the name of the student male or female in front of the list of names should come prepared. In this scenario there were altogether eight students, four male and four female students. The name of Padmasiri Gunwardens was second in the class list of students.This was the very first instance Padmasiri had to speak to an audience. The subject selected by Padmasiri was ‘proportionate’ electoral system. This speech on this selected subject was praised and applauded to esteemed heights. This was perhaps a premonition for his future career as a narrator. During the final year in School; Padmasiri served as the President of the school Commerce Society, also was the Leader of the debating team.
After leaving school had continued in the identical vein, been nominated as the first President of the Bomiriya village Youth Club.This had paved the way for Padmasiri to represent the Gramodaya Mandalaya in the Bomiriya village, very prestigious for a lad just after school. The colossal knowledge gained he had confessed cannot be obtained from even in an university Padmasiri had quipped. He had been automatically offered to broadcast as the presenter in many village activities which had prompted and induced him to be fascinated in media activities. In year 1984 to many functions he had been invited to be the compere also at the novice singing competition organized by the Bomiriya ‘Nawakatharu’sports club Padmasiri was entrusted as the compere which was a huge boost to his future career and also became a sought after individual in this type of functions in the village
On June 1st 1997 Padmasiri had received the position of relief announcer at the SLBC which he claims a s turning point in his media domain The first opportunity he received was the music program produced by Indunil Samarasuriya a series of classical songs program. Then popular music program “Salpil Savariya”.. was produced in Kaduwela and Homagama cities by Padmasiri Gunawardena himself. Padmasiri was subsequently was fortunate to present many other programs in the SLBC[s vivid channels. Had even entrusted to present news in RNN service also in the national sports channels .During th e war era had presented ‘Thal Arane Pareviyo’ which had added more features to his already decorated cap.He also presented the NSB sponsored “NSB Ranmasu” program from then to date delighting all audiences with his gravelly voice all listeners and members of staff of the NSB.In addition Padmasiri had presented in the channel of the Independent Television Network “Ridu Rekha Lottery’.. and ‘Computer Happannu’ etc. After joining to television presented ‘Aththa Neththa’ political discussion. Also presented ‘Rashi Manjari” and other vivid programs with co presenters both male and female presenters as Dulakshi Perera and Daya Abeysekera.
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As an announcer had got the unique opportunity to announce in UAE, Seychelles’ , Kuwait and India purely considering his competency and expertise which was a huge opportunity for Padmasiri. He had represented all Sri Lanka banks in India sponsored by Bank Employees Federation of India. Padmasiri also represented Sri Lanka Banks in Kerala state .At both these occasions in Kerala and India it was Padmasiri Gunawardena who had spoken on behalf of all colleagues in Sri Lankan banks which was an distinctive and unique occasion for him.
Padmasiri had excelled as a lyricist contributing his lyrics to many popular vocalists song “ Supun Sanda Madale” sung by Jagath Wickremasinghe and the song “ Kiriuthuranawa’ sung by Chandrakumar Kandanarachchi, “Sandamadali Kiyapan” by Rodney Warnakula, “Durin Uwath Oba” of Priyani Jayasinghe,’ Sanda Diya Uthurai’ by Vasantha Thikangani and Visharada Ajith Rathnaweera, “Sanda Diya Uthurai” by Madhawa Gunawardena, “Anda Andurai Senehi’ , “ Res Dhahara Uga Nethaka by Mithara Gunawardena are some of the lyrics penned by Padmasiri As an author of books too to date he had written two books, they are titled “ Namai Asannai Obai’ and ‘Sanda Diya Uthurai’.
After a successful tenure had entered the Colombo University to follow a diploma course in Commerce Special .From the same University Padmasiri had successfully hurdled to obtain a Diploma degree in Mass Communication, After which Padmasiri had entered to Sri Jayewardenepura university to obtain a Masters degree in Mass Communication.Padmasiri did not stop his university education ,had entered Kelaniya University to successfully complete a degree in Commerce M.Com.Padmasiri continued his academic education obtaining a diploma certificate in English from the Sri Jinaratana vocational training centre, had also successfully obtained a certificate after following a course in English from the Colombo University .During the final stages and thereafter of his tenure at the Colombo university Padmasiri had taught Commerce at Rosmead Balika Vidyalaya.He also had performed as a lecturer at the JMC Management institution in Business communication. He also had performed duties as a lecturer in management in the National Cooperative Council .Padmasiri had also lectured at the Institution of Sri Lanka Bankers Association, Local Government Bodies, IMS institution, Skills Development Centre, Technical College Maradana, Colombo University Human resources Advancement Institution, and also in many other institutions Padmasiri had imparted his extensive knowledge possessed in numerous arenas during such lectures ..
In year 1996 Padmasiri Gunawardena was recruited to the National Savings Bank as a Junior Clerk despite having so many University degrees. But the Management recognising his esteemed qualifications was soon absorbed to the executive grade had served as Supervising officer, Executive Officer, Senior Manager and Chief Manager. After twenty seven years when Padmasiri retired on reaching the age of sixty he had held the prestigious position appropriately as the Chief Manager ,Training at the NSB where Padmasiri’s role was to guide and teach all subordinates important exquisite areas to employees serve in many departments in the bank. To this appointment to this position the management of the NSB had been very prudent for his proven supreme ability to teach all subordinates via his extensive knowledge to help NSB in all round activities.
There are many who had assisted. Padmasiri Gunawardena in this magnificent journey overcoming many hurdles.They are vocalist Dayaratne Perera, At the SLBC Jayantha Peiris,Wasantha Rohana, Kumara Ratnayake, Somapala Subasinghe, Lion EWA Harischandra (Owner of Leela Jewelers) ,Aruna Shantha ( Owner of Shan Printers) ,Jayasiri Chandrawansa Loku Pathirana , General managers of NSB NBSB Ballale, Ajith Pieris, Eastman Narangoda, Hennayake Bandara, Dhammika Perera and AGM EMMG Ekanayake, Then NS Perera and AHL Gunawardena , Astrologer Deshabandu Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena, Attorney at-law Saman Leelaratne, Sarath Kumara Perera (ITN), Thilak Mahagamage ( SLRC) and Shantha Sigera ( concert event organizer) Padmasiri owes a huge gratitude to all for assisting him in his successful unblemished voyage.
Padmasiri’s wife is Daya Nishanthi Gunawaedena in the reputed teaching profession. His son Madhawa Gunawardena is too muti talented is a qualified in business management administration could sing and play many musical instruments is about to be qualified as a pilot is almost at end of his gruelling course at a International Airline and Aviation College .The only daughter is Mithara Gunawardena is also talented like father has completed higher diploma in Business Management administration follows father’s footsteps as a hereditary affiliation is an announcer in Lakviru Frequency Modulated radio beam, she could also sing had recorded a few songs for father’s lyrics..
Padmasiri Gunawardena is a unique multitalented individual in several fields. It is very difficult to remember or identify a similar individual in the annals of archives in the history of native Sri Lanka .He is still an early sexagenarian in good health has many years ahead to exploit his diverse talents for the benefit of Sri Lankan arts. All followers would wish him good health and longevity.
