Weera Fonseka addressing a community gathering in Toronto
Weera Fonseka is a man who believes that dreams are not just thoughts or hopes; they have life.
As a young man growing up in Sri Lanka, he had many dreams – some are still unfulfilled – but dabbling in web television broadcast was not certainly one of them.
Weera Narayana Mudalige Nalin Shirley Fonseka pioneered the first Sinhala web telecast in Toronto. As he told Sunimal Balasuriya of Sawana web radio, Rupana online magazine was an accident.
He studied at the Colombo Royal from sixth grade onward and was passionate about arts. “My drama teacher at the school was the famous TV and stage actress Ratna Lalani Jayakody who inspired us. I took an active role in radio and drama society and Sinhala Sangamaya,” he said, adding that he was a bit of a rebel during his school days.
Weera studied biology in preparation for a medical career – his elder brother is a doctor who owns a hospital in Colombo – but changed plans when he did not have enough marks to enter the medical college. He joined National Institute Business Management (NIBM) in Sri Lanka and pursued IT studies.
His first brush with video editing and digital media happened as he dabbled in impressing his girlfriend, whom he later married. “When I was dating Chamika, now my wife, love letters were a thing of the past. So I made short video clips about our relationship, also adding a lot of pictures we took together and got the first-hand experience of digital editing,” he told Sunimal.
Sawana, incidentally, is gaining rapid popularity among the Sri Lankans living in Canada. It was launched by Vasantha Lankatilleke, a well-known programme producer in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
Despite his hectic IT career, Weera started taking pictures and videotaping events like friends’ parties and weddings as a hobby, but soon he became most sought after by the Sri Lankan community. That is how his popular online telecast Rupana was born.
“Before I launched my channel, I gained experience by working for Kala Kavaya TV launched by late Nimal Perera,” Weera said. His first TV programme was a stage show presented by dancer Rashanthi Hettiarchchi, who manages Rangara Performing Arts.
During his time with Kala Kavaya, he was in contact with Omni TV that hosted the channel but was surprised by the rigid conditions and rules guiding community broadcasting.
The only solution was to have his own broadcast, thought Weera. After quitting Kala Kavaya, he built two modern studios in his basement in his Oshawa home equipped with the latest video and sound devices and started his weekly online magazine, the first Sinhalese to pioneer such a venture in Toronto.
Rupana’s debut TV programme was a stage show presented by child star Colombo-based Himasha Manupriya. It was a huge success.
By trial and error and dedicated learning on the job and with the help of friends he mastered every aspect of online broadcasting to bring Rupana up to date with the modern digital technology.
He has a lot of people to thank for his success. Few whose technical and creative guidance contributed to Rupane’s progress were architect Sampath Peththawadu who provided considerable help to build his studios, Bandula Kuruwita Arachchi, Dinesh Peiris, Anurudhdha Weligamage and the army of volunteer presenters that also includes talented young adults.
Every week, Rupana covers community events of Sri Lankans living in Toronto, presenting interviews with prominent personalities who contribute to their adopted country’s success.
“It was hard work all the way. I have a full-time job and a family with two kids making things a bit more tiring. I have lost money initially, but now it is breaking even. Things will be tough when the time comes to buy new equipment,” Weera says, adding that he may seek financial aid from the Ontario government, which helps community media in a big way.
He laments the lack of opportunities for talented immigrants in the Canadian mainstream media. “There are so many talented people from all over the world in Ontario but sadly their talent and capabilities are not recognized most of the times. The situation is the same in Sri Lanka, where I was born. If we go back, it will be very difficult for us to find suitable positions in our field even with foreign experience,” he said.
Weera has one more dream to achieve. From his school days, he wanted to make a film or a television serial. “This is a passion I developed during the days I studied art and drama at the Royal. A couple of friends who studied with me are ready to help me. We have not still decided whether the backdrop will be Canada or Sri Lanka, but it is definitely happening,” Weera added with an optimistic tone. (© newstrails.com)
