As he steps into the spotlight once again as co-host of the new in-person podcast series Fame Game with Kumar de Silva and Rozanne Diaz, media personality, author, and etiquette trainer Kumar de Silva reflects on a storied career that has spanned four decades. The podcast, streaming exclusively on The Sun (Daily Mirror) digital and social media platforms, showcases Kumar’s signature warmth and wit as he engages with Sri Lanka’s most fascinating figures alongside his long-time friend and co-host, Miss Universe Sri Lanka, Rozanne Diaz. In this exclusive Q&A, we dive into the milestones of Kumar’s professional life, his private passions, and what continues to drive him today.
Q Share with us a summary of your personal journey; from the classroom and down the years.
I was a self-confessed nerd at Wesley College, Colombo, raised by parents who were both science and maths teachers. My A/L subjects were English, French, and German, chosen with dreams of being a tour guide. Since I was the only one in class, I had the unusual experience of being both first and last! My time at the University of Kelaniya expanded my horizons socially and intellectually. Though I initially pursued Economics, I switched to English and French; a decision I continue to thank my karma for.
Q And what about your professional journey?
After graduating in 1985, I began lecturing in English Literature at the University of Kelaniya. When political unrest shut down universities, I stumbled into a job at the French Embassy, pure chance, and that led to Bonsoir, a show that defined much of my early career. It wasn’t just a job; it was a passion that lasted 15 years.
Q Bonsoir was a landmark in local TV. What was it like being the face of French culture in Sri Lanka?
When I joined Bonsoir in 1986, and later teamed up with Yasmin Rajapakse, it became more than just television; it was cultural diplomacy in action. Our fluency in French and love for the culture helped us immerse audiences without need for translation. Decades later, we continue the tradition through our YouTube show Rendez-Vous with Yasmin and Kumar.
Q How did your training in Paris shape your broadcasting and diplomacy skills?
Paris offered rigorous, invaluable training in television production, thanks to Madame Josiane Thureau of the French Foreign Ministry. That foundation still serves me today, even in this new podcast. Cultural diplomacy was intrinsic to Bonsoir; we weren’t just entertaining but also educating a national audience about France.
Q You’ve hosted many shows. How has your style evolved over time?
I’ve always hated reading from a script, it makes me feel boxed in. I was even sacked from reading news because I deliberately flubbed lines to escape it!
Whether on TV or digital, my goal is always to connect authentically with guests and the audience. It’s never about showing off what I know; it’s about drawing out the best in others.
Q What led to your memoir, The Bonsoir Diaries?
After leaving Bonsoir in 2000, I was heartbroken to learn all the archival tapes had been destroyed. My friend Dilshan Boange pushed me to write down those memories, and Malinda Seneviratne gave me a platform. That series became The Bonsoir Diaries, which sold out quickly. This year, to mark the show’s 40th anniversary, I’m releasing Sinhala and French editions.
Too often we take things for granted. Personal branding, what I call the “wrapping paper,” is crucial. It’s the first thing people see before they notice your skills, values, or education.
Q You’ve written about national icons. What draws you to biography writing?
I’m a storyteller at heart and take pride in being called a "grand raconteur." For figures like Lester James Peries and Iranganie Serasinghe, I used the Hitchcock-Truffaut model; letting them narrate their lives in their own voices, with me as ghostwriter. Next up is Sumitra Peries' life story.
Q How did you transition into corporate etiquette training?
After Bonsoir, I co-founded a Public Relations and Media Consultancy called Adahas with Tharindra Dharmasiri, and we saw great success in its early years. But as the media landscape shifted, clients increasingly sought large editorial space without supporting advertising, creating tension with publishers. The mounting pressure and imbalance made me realize it was time to shift gears, and that’s when I decided to focus fully on corporate training.
Q What do Sri Lankan professionals most need to focus on in terms of etiquette and personal branding?
Too often we take things for granted. Personal branding, what I call the “wrapping paper,” is crucial. It’s the first thing people see before they notice your skills, values, or education. It’s a performance in every direction.
Q You’ve trained everyone from beauty queens to CEOs. How do you tailor your methods?
At the core, they’re all human beings with insecurities and emotions. I start by connecting with that human element. They trust me to keep their confidences, which is essential. I’ve trained Miss World Sri Lanka contestants for eleven years now mentoring them like my own children.
I’m introverted and shy when I’m not in public. Observing people is a quiet form of voyeurism, in the best sense
Q What was it like to represent Sri Lanka on the Miss Universe stage?
It was a proud and humbling moment. Wearing the national sash comes with immense responsibility. The competition was fierce, but I had incredible support from the Sri Lankan fashion industry. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I still relive when I see new contestants take the stage.
Q How do you balance public and private life?
There’s no complete separation, but my apartment is sacred, private space. And my annual one-month trip to Paris gives me the anonymity and peace I crave. It’s my way of recharging.
Q What’s it like co-hosting Fame Game with Rozanne Diaz?
Rozanne and I go way back; long before she became Miss Sri Lanka. She’s a joy to work with, and our contrasting personalities, her optimism, my realism, balance each other well. We also collaborate on youth training workshops like Tomorrow’s Leaders.
Q What’s next for Kumar de Silva?
Next year marks 40 years since Bonsoir began, and to celebrate, I’m writing my life story, Gypsy Tales. It’s a tribute to the journey that brought me here, and a toast to everything still to come.
