Sandun Wijemanne Nissanka

Sandun Wijemanne Nissanka (born 6 May 1998: Sinhala: සඳුන් විජේමාන්න) is a Sri Lankan-American record industry executive, label executive and entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of Serandip Music Group, Serandip Records, Serandip Publishing, and Bonfire Distribution, which is Sri Lanka’s first music distribution company.[1] Apart from that, he also engaged in many international organizations such as Bonfire Global LLC, Ceylon X Corporation, B2B Services Inc., Serandip Music Group LLC, and Suavity Supplements LLC.

Sandun Wijemanne Nissanka
සඳුන් විජේමාන්න නිස්සංක
Born
Sandun Wijemanne Nissanka

(1998-05-06) May 6, 1998 (age 26)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalityAmerican
EducationAnanda College
Alma materCapistrano Valley High School
Saddleback College
California State University, San Bernardino
Harvard Business School Online
Occupations
  • businessman
  • entrepreneur
  • philanthropist
  • record executive
Years active2015–present
SpouseIshini Ranatunga (m.2023)
Websitehttps://sandunz.com/

Personal life

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He was born on 6 May 1998 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is a past pupil of Ananda College.[2] During his school days, he excelled in sports and scouts.[1] After moving to the USA, he graduated from California State University, Harvard Business School Online, and New York University Music Business Program.[citation needed] He is currently based in Orange County, California, USA.[3]

Career

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Nissanka established the Bonfire Distribution in 2018.[4] Later, the company became the first exclusive music distribution platform in Sri Lanka.[1] He worked with musicians such as Yohani, Chamath Sangeeth, Shan Putha, DJ Mass, rapper Drillteam, and Stigmata. The song of Satheeshan’s cover Manike Mage Hithe by Chamath Sangeeth, Yohani was distributed by Bonfire.[5][6][7]

Nissanka co-founded the artist management and music publishing company Serandip Records with Prathap Costa.[8] In 2020, he founded another music company called "Serandip Music Group".[9]

In October 2021, Nissanka expanded his Bonfire company and made its first U.S. partnership, with music technology platform Vydia.[7] As a philanthropist, he made charity works and helped families by providing them with essential needs during Sri Lanka's COVID-19 pandemic. He is the CEO of the IT company Ceylon X.[10]

Awards and accolades

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He has won the President’s Education Award.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bonfire taking Sri Lanka's music industry by storm". Colombo Gazette (Press release). 14 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Danu on Fire: Sandun Wijemanne Nissanka". www.hi.lk. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Serandip Records – Taking musical careers to new heights". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Bonfire Home". BONFIRE. Retrieved 15 August 2022.[non-primary source needed]
  5. ^ Abeysekera, Nalin (31 August 2021). "Manike Mage Hithe and creative economy". The Island. Upali Newspapers. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  6. ^ "වාර්තා පිට වාර්තා තබන ලංකාවේ "මැණිකේ"". www.lankadeepa.lk (in Sinhala). Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b "BONFIRE HEATS UP WITH VYDIA". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Serandip Records". serandiprecords.com. Retrieved 15 August 2022.[non-primary source needed]
  9. ^ "Serandip Music Group". smg.lk (in Sinhala). Retrieved 15 August 2022.[non-primary source needed]
  10. ^ "CEYLON X opens branch in Dubai". Daily News (Press release). Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  11. ^ "SandunZ". sandunz.com. Retrieved 15 August 2022.[non-primary source needed]