NIMAL’S MAKE UP EXPERIENCE WITH POLITICIANS

Wijeweera said “ Are you mad, I don’t use powder…”
Chandrika said “What make up during a period of war…”
JR said “Don’t rejuvenate me…”
Mahinda of course loves them..

-Nimal Rajapakse, the famous makeup artist who make up politicians on TV programs speaks

We have often seen Sri Lankan politicians taking part in TV programs. There is one person whom all of them get to meet before they come on screen. That would be their makeup artist. Even though there are a number of makeup artists in Sri Lanka, from the time of JR’s regime this duty had been given and entrusted to one person. Makeup of all the Executive Presidents have been done so far by the famous makeup artist Nimal Rajapakse. Unfortunately only a few know him as he is always behind the screen.
In an interview to a weekend newspaper, he had revealed some stories about the previous Executive Presidents. Some parts  from the excerpts from the interview are been published below:

Introduce yourself to the reader?
I am from Baddegama, Pathadumbara. I studied at Sri Rahula Vidyalaya in Katugastota. First I was a photographer and then my interests shifted to become a makeup artist. I think I have now come a long way.

Tell us about the experience you have gained by working with all the executive presidents of Sri Lanka?
Late President JR always told me not to request a lot of makeup and rejuvenate him or beautify him. Late President Premadasa was interested in knowing about this subjects and asked a lot of questions. Late President DB Wijethunga didn’t like makeup much. President Chandika Kumarathunga always used to say “What makeup during a time of a war”. Current President Mahinda Rajapakse has a very good knowledge and very particular about this matter. He understands that makeup is done in order to fulfill technical obligations.

When you have first started everyone didn’t have the knowledge that makeup is done to fulfill technical obligations. So haven’t you faced any problems during that period of time?
Politicians had the concept that makeup is only for the actors and actresses and not for the politicians.Oil in the face surfaces when a person comes inside after spending some time outdoors. Makeup is necessary to hide factors like that. Sometimes, it is a difficult task to make people understand and convince about that.
Would you like to recall some of your past memories.
I can remember how I had to make up Rohana Wijeweera who was the leader of JVP. He was very strong on his opinion as he said “When my mother put powder on me, I used to wipe it off…So I don’t want any makeup. When I explained to him the need of makeup on a technical basis, he agreed with me. Afterwards he had lent his support all the time.

Aren’t there occasions in which you have been blamed by special people?
It was a very difficult task to makeup Buddhist priests during the very first time when television was introduced. It was a difficult task to get the permission of Buddhist monks. One day a very famous Buddhist priest came for a live TV program and when I attempted to makeup him, the Thera was very hostile on me. Finally I had to explain everything in detail with a lot of respect and finally he agreed.

Newspaper article: Ariyawansa Kulatilleke