M. J. Perera

Who was M. J. Perera?

Mapatunage James "M. J." Perera was a Sri Lankan civil servant, born on 3 February 1915 with nine members in his family in Udumulla, Padukka. He created broadcasting history by being the first Ceylonese Director General of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia, taking over the helm from John Lampson of the BBC.

Perera witnessed the transformation of Radio Ceylon as King of the Airwaves in South Asia the radio station was the market leader and the number one radio station in the region during the 1950s and 1960s, with a loyal base of millions of listeners. Radio Ceylon enjoyed huge success under his leadership.

Clifford Dodd, an Australian administrator, was appointed as the first Director of the Commercial Service of Radio Ceylon and he contributed to the station's popularity across the Indian sub-continent.

M.J.Perera was also appointed the first Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation,the island's television station and the country's first competent authority.

Born on 3 February 1915 in Padukka, he was educated at Rajabisheka Vidyalaya - Padukka Nalanda College Colombo and at the University of Ceylon. He became an assistant Government Agent and went on to become the Permanent Secretary of the Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry and later as first Chairman of the Rupavahini Corporation, retiring from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service after 48 years public service.