The Sooriya Village On WTF

12 October 2016

What - The Sooriya Village
Where - No. 49, Skelton Road, Colombo 05
Who - Sanchitha Wickremesooriya
When - Monday to Sunday 11AM to 11PM

This week dressed in my LOVI Sarong I went to a place which is charming and refreshing to be at, a place dedicated to the wonderful world of art!

There is something about the air at The Sooriya Village, which holds not only a rich history but also a deep love for passionate artists to come and be part of everything creative. The Sooriya Village is a facility fabricated to educate and cluster the artists by bringing them together from all corners of the nation.

Speaking to me, Sanchitha Wickremesooriya who is a vocalist himself and a very gifted one at that, is the visionary behind the village. He comes from a family with a great musical background. His grandfather, Gerald Wickremesooriya was a pioneer in the Sri Lankan pop music scene as his label, “Sooriya”, was responsible for recording most of the prominent artistes in Sri Lanka. But this was not the case at first. It all started as a simple children's bookshop decades ago, which later altered into a record label that produced some of the greatest tunes of Sri Lankan music.

The Sooriya Village once again aims to transform the industry with its new and exciting facility. Located in the heart of Colombo, the facility provides amenities such as rehearsal suites, a top gear recording studio, library and research services, a tech based lecture room, a restaurant with mouthwatering delights, which will not let you down especially when you know Koluu has also gotten involved. The menu is amazing and the pricing is tempting. When you get there, do not forget to try the karapincha (curry leaf) drink. It’s AMAZING!

They have dorms available for touring artistes and guests with a new building coming up at the back to allocate more, a tea/coffee/juice lounge, performance spaces and plenty of hang out area. Offering opportunities to explore new possibilities, spearheading international collaborations with musicians, producers, labels and educational institutes creating a new brand of Sri Lankan music are some of the many opportunities presented to aspiring and established artistes alike. “Sooriya”’s vision is to provide a facility for artistes and art enthusiasts to nurture and explore the culture of arts delivering the best possible service and experience.

"The Sooriya Village also facilitates many foreign artists on artist residencies for workshops at the village, other surrounding institutions and rural areas in collaboration with other music foundations," says Sanchitha. With just a month in operation, this is becoming a place not to be missed!

Today on WTF

Video and photographs by You're My Favorite
Hair and make up - Capello Salons
Transport Partner - PickMe
Sarong by LOVI Sarongs

Danu Innasithamby

Danu Innasithamby is proof that one person can survive on coffee, curiosity, and an unhealthy number of WhatsApp messages. A television host, actor, producer, writer, and professional chatterbox, he’s spent years turning conversations into stories and stories into memorable television. Born in Jaffna and proudly calling Sri Lanka home, Danu has built a career around asking the questions everyone else is thinking—but with a smile that usually gets him out of trouble. Whether he’s interviewing celebrities, hosting major events, judging competitions, or chasing the next great story, there’s never really a dull moment. When he’s not on screen, he’s busy supporting local talent, championing meaningful causes through Sri Lankan Smile, or convincing himself that “just one more project” is a perfectly reasonable life choice. Known for his humour, colourful suits, quick wit, and the ability to make almost anyone laugh, Danu believes life is best lived with good conversations, great food, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. If you spot him, don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly part of an interview… or at least a really entertaining conversation.