Navy officer Damian Fernando crown the "Ranaviru Real Star "

The grand finale, competed by five servicemen, three soldiers from Sri Lanka
Army and two Navy officers was won by Commander Demian Fernando of the Navy, the

first ‘Ranaviru Real Star’ after a close tussle with his other four singing
rivals
  The ‘Ranaviru Real Star’ mega musical competition that selected the year’s
most popular vocalist from tri-services made its debut at Sugathadasa Indoor
Stadium last evening (29) amidst a sea of fans, including the Commander-in-chief

of the Armed Forces, HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Guest of Honour and
First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The winner was awarded keys to a brand new luxury house, worth Rs. 15 million by

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. The second place went to Private Indika Amaranga

of the Sri Lanka Army and he received keys to a Toyota ‘Avanza’ car sponsored by

Toyota Lanka and Rs. 2 million in cash. Corporal Lalith Wickramanayaka of the
Army was placed third and awarded Rs. 2 million together with the trophy. Fourth

and fifth places, secured by Sub Lieutenant Saranga Sampath and Private Danushka

Lakmal respectively were awarded Rs. 500,000 each, together with the trophy.

In addition, all competitors who rose from 24th place up until the 8th place
were awarded special prizes by three service Commanders. Similarly, Brigadier
Rajitha Ampemohotti and Corporal Subashini Gamage carried special prizes of Rs.
1000,000 each.
Ministry of Defence set out on this novel and historic project on 05 November
2010, following a concept mooted by Secretary Defence. The generous sponsorship
of Dialog made the programme a success with the support of several other donors.


At the launching ceremony of project, the Secretary Defence said; ‘The Sri
Lankan armed forces delivered the dividends of peace to the nation and now they
are engaged in development programs all over the island. The members of the
forces were not able to participate in reality shows during the humanitarian
operations. We want to emphasis the human behind the weapon and to showcase
their hidden talents in singing and dancing. We welcome this initiative from
Dialog that will highlight their abundant talents, which would offer a place for

our heroes,’ Rajapaksa said.
Nearly 20,000 talented personnel of the Security Forces attended the initial
auditioning of this program out of which 500 were short-listed by an independent

panel of Judges, comprised of musicians and artistes under the supervision of
senior Security Forces personnel. This 500 was made up of 300 from the Army, 125

from the Navy and 75 from the SLAF.
  The day’s thrilling spectacle witnessed by HE the President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, First Lady, Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Secretary to President, Mr
Lalith Weerathunga and Mrs Weerathunga, Speaker Mr Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary
Defence, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff,
Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders and their spouses, Director General Media
Centre for National Security, Mr Lakshman Hulugalle, Parliamentarians,
celebrities, was judged by a panel of experts including Visharada Edward
Jayakody, Jackson Anthony and Visharada Champa Kalhari Jayasekara who
contributed 60% to the final decision while remaining 40% of the voting via SMS
determined the outcome