Lanka yet to capitalise on Yohani’s ‘Manike Mage Hithe’

Yes, India is the victor and we are the losers where our very own singing sensation is concerned.

While India is capitalising on Yohani de Silva’s mega rise to stardom, with ‘Manike Mage Hithe,’what have our folks done! Absolutely nothing, I would say…up to this point in time.

Sri Lanka Tourism should have stepped into the scene and made Yohani the Ambassadress of Sri Lanka Tourism.

With such an awesome, and distinguished, following in neighbouring India, Yohani, as Ambassadress, could easily entice Indian holidaymakers to head for our paradise island.

An enticing advertising campaign, with Yohani at the helm, would certainly generate a lot of interest with the Indian public.

Right now, they all seem focused on Yohani and ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ so Sri Lanka Tourism should take the cue and move into action, quickly.

In the meanwhile, Ivan Corea, Sri Lanka-born writer and lecturer on Compassionate Leadership, formerly of California, now based in the UK, is requesting the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina Teplitz, and the US Embassy in Colombo, to facilitate his idea of arranging for American child prodigy Karolina Protsenko to be flown down to Colombo, with her family.

He has recommended a joint performance of ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ with Karolina Protsenko and Sri Lanka’s global superstar, Yohani, as was exclusively reported in this column last Tuesday.

Speaking from the UK, Ivan Corea said: “US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz recently went on social media to say: I enjoyed listening to @Karolina_Violin play the #SriLankan song #ManikeMageHithe on the streets of California! I hope you enjoy it too. Such a testament as to music as the universal language, Ambassador Teplitz tweeted.

“I urge Ambassador Teplitz and the US State Department to facilitate such a visit as a gesture of goodwill to the people of Sri Lanka and the country’s music industry, post-Covid. Such an event would be a huge boost for Sri Lanka’s tourism and the travel trade industry, hit hard by the pandemic and the slowing down of international travel.

“I think it would be a tremendous gesture if the Ambassador would consider facilitating a goodwill visit of American child prodigy Karolina Protsenko and her family.

“Millions are following Karolina, who is a virtuoso on the violin, and has introduced ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ to new audiences in the United States, playing the song, busking on the streets of Santa Monica, in California.

“Yohani is Sri Lanka’s global icon. It would be an amazing global experience if both music icons perform together, maybe with the Galle Fort or Sigiriya as a backdrop. I’m sure millions, worldwide, would watch it.

“I must pay tribute to Yohani. Her parents have brought her up so well. She is well grounded and humble. With the right people supporting her well-being, and her burgeoning global career, I’m sure she is going to be a huge star. The future is bright for both Yohani and Karolina!

“I fully support Ivan Alvis’ wonderful idea of Sri Lanka Tourism appointing Yohani as an Ambassadress of Tourism for Sri Lanka; just imagine the interest Yohani would generate for her island home!”

For the record, ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ entered the BBC Asian Music Charts, at No. 8, and is now down to No. 13.