Western Musicians Association’s first band leaders conference
View(s):More than 40 band leaders and musicians converged on the Bourgainvillea Ballroom at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo last Monday, September 16, for the first band leaders conference of the Western Musicians Association (WMA). Those who were not already registered as members wasted no time in signing up for membership of the Association which was formed in 2016.
No doubt the aftermath of 21/4 made the musicians realise the value of coming together to form a broad alliance which could address the nagging issues in the entertainment circles. Industry veterans Mignonne Fernando, Jehan Rajapakse and Nihal Perera (Advisory Council Members) as well as Sohan Weerasinghe, Rajitha Rupasinghe, Fabion Bonny Paul, Ricky Bahar, Naushad Rassool and many others shared their success stories, providing useful ground information to the younger band leaders and musicians.
The current office bearers of the WMA are 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.