Gehan A Cooray, Vice Chairman of Jetwing Travels, believes a thriving performing arts ecosphere can significantly boost Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and national economy. The Sri Lankan-American baritone, actor and director was appointed to the role this year. He is also the writer-producer-star of the award-winning feature film THE BILLIONAIRE and holds bachelor’s degrees in Theatre and Psychology from the University of Southern California.
Cooray noted that a multifaceted arts sector would give tourists more diverse experiences, attract visitors during off-peak seasons and drive spending on dining, shopping, local transport and hospitality, as it does in the U.S., the U.K. and Singapore. “Sri Lankan Tourism is on the way up, and many aspects such as our Natural Splendour, Historical Depth and Cultural Richness are consistently recognized on the global stage as being among the best. If we can develop the Performing Arts and also our Visual Arts through careful, systematic planning, greater professionalism and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we can make the country a powerhouse regionally and attract more tourists who want to come here all year round to enjoy our theatrical, artistic and cultural events,” he said.
However, he pointed out that several factors are holding the sector back from meeting international standards, starting with training. “To achieve all this, for starters, Sri Lankan artists need proper, professional, and meticulous training. And by professional, I mean the right credentials and qualifications in addition to experience. You cannot create an entertainment industry with amateurs and those who act and sing ‘just for fun’ as a hobby. That is not how it works in other countries. There’s a reason we call it Show Business in America, because it has to be approached with the same seriousness and diligence as any business!”
He also identified rivalry within the sector as a major obstacle. “The tendency even within the so-called ‘arts’ scene’ here is to drag other artistes down, rather than building them up, because many alleged musicians, directors, actors, performers and dancers are so insecure and jealous that they cannot stand the thought that someone else might become more famous or popular than they are,” he claimed.
‘Cooray further called for a change in attitude toward the arts, even among artists themselves. “The dramatic, musical, cinematic and other arts should not be treated as a means of merely impressing one’s friends, relatives and coworkers; or as a way to try and stand out among one’s social peers. That is an extremely childish and senseless way of going about it! There has to be a totally uncompromising commitment to excellence and professionalism within whichever artistic discipline one occupies – because Music, Drama, Cinema etc are all disciplines and crafts that take years and even decades to master - and everyone has to come together to make a thriving industry out of the performing arts.”
By tapping into the knowledge and international exposure of artists who have performed at the highest levels overseas, Cooray believes Sri Lanka can transform its artistic frameworks and become a force in the global entertainment landscape.
