Vernon Corea's 3rd Death Anniversary falls on 23rd September 2005. The world of broadcasting will remember the legendary Radio Ceylon and BBC Broadcaster who pioneered public service broadcasting spanning a career of 45 years, helping many Sri Lankan musicians during this time.

The Hindu Newspaper in India placed him in the top 5 broadcasters of the world. The BBC will also remember the broadcaster from South Asia who presented the popular 'London Sounds Eastern' radio program on BBC Radio London in the 1970s and 1980s. He introduced Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Uthup and many other South Asian music stars to British audiences through 'London Sounds Eastern' produced by Keith Yeomans.

Neville Jayaweera, former Chairman and Director-General of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation paid a tribute to Vernon Corea: 'I first heard of Vernon Corea, as many others too did, before I had ever met him face to face. In the early nineteen sixties Vernon was probably the most popular male voice heard over Radio Ceylon's English Commercial Service. It was Vernon who compiled and presented that incredibly popular listener's request program every Sunday afternoon, called "To each his own" for over a decade. This was the program that served as a channel through which popular American music, particularly "Country and Western" songs poured into Sri Lanka and fashioned the musical tastes and values of a whole youth generation.

I actually met Vernon for the first time when I assumed duties as the Director General of the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation in 1966. Throughout my stay at Radio Ceylon Vernon worked very closely with the management and his loyalty and commitment to his responsibilities was never in doubt. Starting as an announcer and presenter he rose rapidly to exercise higher managerial responsibilities,' said Neville Jayaweera.

The Hindu Newspaper said Vernon Corea was the first to introduce Sinhala music onto the English Services of Radio Ceylon. Corea has helped many Sri Lankan musicians up the ladder of fame - these included Clarence Wijewardene, Annesley Malewana and The Moonstones, Nimal Mendis, Bill Forbes, Des Kelly, Adrian Ferdinands, Cliff Foenander, The Jetliners and a host of Sri Lankan artists.

Des Kelly, the Sri Lanka born star now living in Melbourne in Australia noted: 'Vernon Corea will always be fondly remembered by his colleagues and friends as a man who gave freely of his time to aspiring “artistes” and other radio personalities alike. '

Bill Forbes spiraled upwards to stardom when he appeared on Jack Good's 'Oh Boy,' a groundbreaking British pop music show from 1958-1959, in London with Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Bill Fury and others. He released 12 hits for EMI Columbia among them 'Too Young/It's Not the End of the World,' Sri Lankans still sing his 'baila hit' 'Aacha England,' recorded under the name of Kal Khan. 'Oh to be in England!' was a favorite of Vernon's.

Bill Forbes met Vernon Corea in the early 1960s at Radio Ceylon.Forbes traveled to Ceylon after his outstanding success in 'Oh Boy' Vernon was one of the first to interview him and play his hits on Radio Ceylon.Vernon also wrote about Bill Forbes in his Entertainment columns published in the Ceylon Daily News. Bill Forbes also appeared on Donovan Andree's musical shows in Colombo in the early 1960s. He shares his memories: ' Friendly Vernon spun my discs together with Livy Wijemanne, Jimmy Barucha, Chris Greet, Nimal Mendis & Co - and I sincerely thank him and the others for their kindness.

It was lovely to read about Vernon's achievements and his Golden Voice will always be remembered when Radio Ceylon is mentioned. His legacy will live on.May Vernon's efforts in life musical and otherwise be remembered dearly.....' said Bill Forbes in the United Kingdom.