The popular compere and broadcaster, the charismatic, Dr.Vijaya Corea preached at the Memorial Service of one of Sri Lanka's outstanding broadcasters, Vernon Corea, on Saturday 23rd November 2002 at 10 a.m. The service was held at the beautiful Colombo church - St.Luke's Church in Borella.

 

Vijaya Corea preached to a packed congregation inside the church designed by Vernon and Ernest's father Rev.Canon Ivan Corea.Vernon's parents Canon Ivan Corea and Ouida Corea spent many years at St.Luke's Church in Borella they were hugely involved with the local community.

Vijaya is a cousin of Vernon - together they were the formidable Corea duo in the history of public service broadcasting - in the island of Sri Lanka.Vijaya is also an outstanding broadcaster from Sri Lanka and he paid a tribute to his older cousin Vernon at the service at St.Luke's Church in Borella. Vijaya is a former Director-General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

It was a moving experience - Vernon and his brother Ernest (one time Editor of the Daily News and former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States) grew up in the Vicarage at St.Luke's.

 

Among those present were parishoners of so many churches in Sri Lanka and old boys of Royal College, Colombo. The Royal College flag was draped on the site as a tribute to a distinguished Old Boy.

A tribute to a loving father was given by Vernon's eldest son, Ivan, at the Service. Ivan recalled childhood memories in Colombo and spoke on the role played by Vernon in public service broadcasting in Sri Lanka and in the UK.

Ivan flew from London to represent Vernon's wife- Monica and children Vernon jr and Ouida, Vernon was the father- in- law of Charika, Fidelma and Praveen and grandfather of Charin, Rohan, Mark, Emily, Rebecca, Jeremy and Rachel - who all live in the United Kingdom.

Former lawyer, Chas Ernie Corea read the lesson so did another lawyer - Viran Corea who represented the distinguished UN economist Dr.Gamini Corea. The service was led by the Vicar of St.Luke's Rev. Abraham Coilpillai and the prayers were said by Pastor Leslie Keegel.

Vernon had a strong faith - he believed in Jesus Christ, in his own words 'the joy of the Lord was his strength.'

 

Donations in Vernon Corea's name will be for the on-going work of St.Luke's Church, Borella.