The Western Musicians Association was formed in 2016 with a view to bring together all Western musicians under one umbrella with a purpose of uplifting the standards of Western Music in Sri Lanka and creating an environment in which musicians can grow professionally.
On its priority list, the spotlight first turns towards bands and smaller groups – down to trios, duos and soloists. The WMA’s first band leaders conference for 2019 was held on September 16, 2019 at Hotel Galadari in Colombo, and witnessed a turnout of more than 40 enthusiastic band leaders and musicians.
The agenda spanned issues faced by musicians in the aftermath of 21/4, the general pattern of contracts and work, and most importantly the need to create a cohesive group of musicians encompassing all Western Musicians in Sri Lanka in order to enable the WMA to effectively organise events, workshops and activities to raise the bar of all musicians, pitching against international standards.
The lively discussion spanned all manner of components that make up the fabric of the entertainment industry in Sri Lanka. Veterans in the business including Mignonne Fernando, Nihal Perera, Jehan Rajapakse, Damien Wikkramatillake (all members of the Advisory Council of the WMA) as well as Sohan Weerasinghe, Rajitha Rupasinghe, Fabion Bonnie Paul, Ricky Bahar, Naushad Rasool and many others offered useful insights into their success stories which would no doubt help up and coming musicians.
The current ExCo consists of Fabion Bonnie Paul (President), Julie Seneviratne (Secretary), Janappriya Weeraratne (Treasurer), Donald Pieris and Rajitha Rupasinghe (Vice Presidents), Suraj Gunawardena (Asst Secretary), Kara Baliah (Asst. Treasurer) and ExCo members Niroshan de Silva, Timal Jayamanne, Judy de Silva, Trevin Joseph, Neomal Peiris and Neranjan de Silva. So here’s wishing the WMA the best of success and may it become a force that cannot be ignored for the future of the Sri Lankan music industry.