The top 05 is a cut above the rest. It is not an easy task to make that cut. But Corporal Imali Pathirana from the Sri Lanka Air Force has achieved this feat almost effortlessly. She is one of the top five finalists competing to be crowned the island’s Mission II “Ranaviru Real Star”. She is busy at rehearsals with much preparation ahead of this week’s performance, but she cheerfully made time to talk to SLAF Media about her journey which has put her on the threshold of musical stardom.

A resident of Pahalawawa, Galewela Corporal Imali Pathirana hails from a musical background that extends far back to her childhood. This meant that Imali literally grew up surrounded by music and singing, with her School teachers as her first guru in learning the beauty of rhythms and melodies. Her father is Mr Premawardena Pathirana and mother Mrs. Thilaka Pathmini. She has one brother and one sister.

Imali studied music all though her school life as a student of the St. Bernaden Primary School and Ibbagamuwa Central College, including at the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations. Her passion and enthusiasm for the subject was made clear when she obtained good results. She joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 14 July 2004.

When “Ranaviru Real Star” was becoming the talk of the town in Sri Lanka in last two years, deep in her heart Imali wanted to send in an application but never acted upon the idea. It was her Commanding Officer Group Captain RAUP Rajapaksha who prompted her, to consider entering this latest reality TV sensation in Sri Lanka, aimed at giving an opportunity to the country’s Armed Forces to showcase their talents.

Now Imali had no reason to turn back. She entered the competition with confidence and has since then been an exceptional performer on television capturing not only the hearts of her countless fans but also the attention of the judges. She prefers to perform songs of her favorite artistes such as Visharada Nandamalani, Chandraleka Perera, Indrani Perera and Raini Charuka.

The unassuming woman that she is, Imali shyly mentions that the Ranaviru Real Star is her first major competition. And indeed it is an incredible feat to have gone through countless rounds of selection and rehearsals, to be where she is today.

There will be many who consider music as a passionate hobby or a career. But for Imali it’s her way of life. It is something where she has given her utmost best for the aesthetic enjoyment of countless others. Join your fellow colleagues and friends from the Sri Lanka Air Force as well as your families in supporting this talented young woman as she steps steadily towards her dream.

Catch Imali in action this Friday on Rupavahini with the latest performances of Air Force talent in the grand final of the Ranaviru Real Star – Mission II. Show your support to this budding singing star of the Sri Lanka Air Force by sending in your votes by SMS. Bring SLAF a step closer to victory.

The method of sending the SMS is as follows.