Wanigasekara. Arachchilage. Karuna Premalal was born on September 28, 1965 in the family of Mr. W.A. Premarathna and P.K. Karolain Nona at Sandalanka Maternity Home in Sandalankawa, Sri Lanka.
Little Premalal read his alphabet at Hundirapola kindergarten in January 1971.
He completed first form education there and entered Ku/Napokuna rural school.
His artistic skills began to flourish since tender ages. He achieved the first place for his tiny school for the pottery creations he produced for a district level competition when he was studying in grade three. The competition was held in Maliyadewa College, Kurunegala.
Later, he entered Sandalanka Central College for secondary education. He began to show a rapid improvement of his brightness since his first year in that school. He studied wood work, metal work, agriculture, sculpture and music as extra curricular subjects.
But he never studied painting until he bid farewell to school.
Once, the agriculture section of the school made Premalal to represent the section in a general association of the school. Premalal sang a famous children song ‘Danagaddi avidinnata mata atha dunna,’ an ode to father. That was the first stage performance by Premalal.
Premalal was an active member of the school scouting squad and the cadet platoon. He completed his school education in 1980.
Youth
After 1980, Premalal further improved his knowledge, skills and attitudes and joined Sri Lanka Army on October 01, 1986.
A group of 580 youths including Premalal were sent to military strategic training school of Konduwatuwan, Ampara for training.
Premalal won the trophy for the best soldier bringing his platoon to the first place as well.
On the very first night the training was completed, he was sent to operation duty in Pulukunawa.
After three months service there, Premalal was transferred to Military Logistics Regiment in Panagoda in March 1987. He completed the unit training course and achieved highest marks in an interview to be selected to the computer section.
Premalal had an opportunity to follow a computer training course in John Keels because of the brilliance he displayed.
Later he joined Lionel Wendt Art Gallery to study photography.
He was talented in shooting as well and therefore he was offered an opportunity to enter the M.S.T.S sniper training school in Diyathalawa to improve his skills.
Premalal participated in 1995 annual shooting competition representing his regiment. He competed from the seventh position and achieved high marks to gain third place for his team.
As a born craftsman, he led his unit to win the first place for 12 years successively in the Vesak lantern competition of Panagoda Army camp until 2004.
Due to this variety of skills, the Regiment Central Commander Brigadier J.P.A. Jayawardhana, USP, promoted W. A. Karuna Premalal to the post of sergeant.
Late Presedent Ranasinghe Premadasa provided space for Premalal to display his creations in Gam Udawa exhibitions until the last of the series held in Buththala.
Although Premalal was promoted in 1995, circumstances made way for him to leave the country in November same year for joining in a company in Doha Qatar as an artist.
He performed his duties honestly and neatly and no sooner won the hearts of all foreign employees of the company.
He had a chance to improve his skills as a vocalist while working in Doha Qatar.
He met vocalist Sumana Sri Jayawardhana and participated in his music programmes.
Later he released an album with his own lyrics, composing, singing and cover design also.
The first set of songs broadcast by Doha Qatar FM was Premalal’s.
On November 22, 1998, Premalal participated in the open painting, sculpture and carving competitions held by the Art and Sports Society of Al-Sholy Center of Doha Qatar. He won the first and second places in painting and first place in sculpture. This competition included 75 painted pins, 35 painted rice seeds, 35 crystals, a nail carving, seven sculptures and 14 large size paintings.
Premalal returned to Sri Lanka in 1998 after terminating his contract in Doha. He rejoined his Army unit in January 1999. Premalal was generous to offer his skills improved in service in a foreign country for his unit and the Army.
Premalal won first place in the painting competition among Army artists held to mark the golden jubilee of Sri Lanka Army. Amazingly quotations were called from the artist as well and he did not receive at least a note of thanks for his creation.
In 2000, Premalal participated in ’09.05’, Nugasevana, Induwarasara, Live Band Show programmes in Rupavahini, Nevum Mihira and many other programmes of commercial, sports and Swadeshiya services of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and several programmes of Hiru FM.
Premalal participated in several press interviews as well. In 2004, the Association of Pensioners awarded him a special certificate for his excellence.
Yet, due to some injustice Premalal had to face, he decided to leave the motherland once again. The company he was employed previously invited him back to Doha.
Premalal is now providing services as a computer graphic artist, photo grapher and a wedding album creator.
Further education
Theater art
Media presentations
Media presentations
Positions held
Ahievements
Schools studied
