Vernon joined Radio Ceylon in 1956 as a relief announcer. His father was then Vicar of St.Paul's Church, Milagiriya. He left the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation as Director News in 1975.

The family moved to England in June1975 when Vernon and Monica became the first Asian missionaries at the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade founded by the all England cricketer C. T. Studd. They worked for the radio arm of WEC, Radio Worldwide who were stationed in Upper Norwood South East London at the time.

After a spell in religious broadcasting Vernon was invited to present the first ever Asian programme in English. "London Sounds Eastern" on BBC Radio London. Vernon took up the post of Asian Programmes Officer at the BBC, he was in the forefront of training people from the minoritiy ethnic communities - this was a first for the BBC in terms of Local Radio. He was the first Sri Lankan to be appointed to senior management at the BBC.

In 1978, Vernon Corea was appointed as the first Ethnic Minorities Adviser for the British Broadcasting Corporation and held it until his retirement. The BBC were trying to be more inclusive and Vernon brought with him a whole new picture within Britian's multicultural mosaic. Vernon valued diversity and he certainly changed views at the BBC.

His appointment to the BBC was heralded by the 'Thunderer' the London Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times in the United Kingdom.The introduction of the BBC's new Asian Network is largely due to the pioneering work carried out by Vernon - in the late 1970s and 1980s.s Director News in 1975.

Ernest Corea has served with the United Nations in Africa -he was the Economic Reports Officer of the UN Operation in the Congo and, later, Director for Collaborative (North-South) Research at the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa. His publications include "North South: Beyond Dialogue" and "Non Alignment: The Dynamics of a Movement." He is a member of the Asia Society's Advisory Board in Washington DC in the United States.

Chilaw has been represented in parliament by Shirley Corea and Harindra Corea. Mrs.Kumari Corea wife of Carlton Corea was at one time a local councillor in Chilaw.

 

 

 

 

' Situated in no less an important province - the Wayamba or North Western Province which is a veritable 'Garden of Eden' for the historian and the archaeologist. For in this region lies the place where Prince Vijaya landed and the ancient kingdoms of Panduwasnuara, Yapahuwa, Dambadeniya and Kurunegala or Hasthisailapura.

 

Chilaw is known as 'Halawatha' in Sinhala. Denham's Census Report of 1911 throws some interesting light on the origin of Chilaw.

 

It is said that King Kavan Tissa sent a number of persons to convey honey from Negombo 'Meegomuwa' in Sinhala to Anuradhapura. It was at this spot 'Halawatha' that the bees were shaken off their combs.

 

Chilaw in early times was not only a reputed sea port it was also famous for its pearl fisheries. According to some writers like Donald Ferguson, Chilaw is connected with the Tamil term 'Salapam' which means diving.

 

The original inhabitants of Chilaw were descendants of a group of people who came from India on military service. Originally from Northern India from such towns like Kanchipuram, Kaveripattannam and Killakarai they subsequently made their homes in the south.

 

According to the 'Mukkara Hatana' it happened during the reign of King Parakrama Bahu VI (1412-1467) the ruling monarch of Kotte. The Mukkuvars from India had landed off the Puttalam coast and were preparing to capture the land. King Parakrama Bahu summoned help from neighbouring India. A battalion of fighting men were sent across to Sri Lanka. They belonged to the Suriya clans. Those that settled in Chilaw belonged to the Mihindukulasuriya clan. It may be interesting to note that there are five sub clans in Chilaw. They are the Fernando, Perera, Peiris, Pinto and Costa.

 

A good percentage of the Chilawfolk still bear these identical surnames. They settled down not only in Chilaw but even at its twin sister Negombo especially at Duwa and Pitipana. Chilaw being in the maritime region came under European influence. Portuguese influence is well marked by the hundred per cent Roman Catholic indigenous population.

 

Culturally the people of Chilaw have been always active and in the forefront. Chilaw has been the home of the Sinhala Nadagama - the first form of Sinhala drama in Sri Lanka.

 

The first Sinhala Nadagama the 'Rajathun-kattuwa' or the Visit of the Magi was written by Mihindukulasuriya Gabriel Fernando according to that eminent historian the late Dr. Edmund Peiris Bishop Emeritus of Chilaw.

 

And the sea board town of Chilaw has kept on forging ahead.....' wrote Dr.Granville Fernando.