Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa issuing a condolence message yesterday said he was deeply saddened by the demise of singer Sunil Perera.
“Sunil Perera’s performance as a singer and a veteran of the music industry will forever be etched in the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka”, he said.
The Prime Minister’s message of condolence: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the demise of ‘Gypsies’ Leader Sunil Perera, a veteran of band music who has touched the hearts of the Sri Lankan people for over five decades.
“The Gypsies, a band formed in 1968 under the leadership of Sunil Perera, had an impressive beginning in the 1970s. Starting with five brothers in the family, the Gypsies gave priority to Western popular songs at its inception.
“The contribution made by Sunil Perera and the Gypsies to take Sri Lankan band music on a new path is highly significant.
“The first independent creations of Gypsies, such as the Lida Langa Sangamaya, Amma Amma, became popular among the people in a very short time.
“The Gypsies, including Sunil Perera, who created Sri Lanka’s first nonstop cassette tape (Joliya -1981), then released a four-song cassette in 1987 under the name Lunudehi. Jaya Manmgalam wewa!, Amma Amma, Kurumitto, Lunu Dehi, Api Denna, Oye Ojaye, Piti Kotapan None, Uncle Johnson, Latha No Katha, Lowe Sama Ekaya Deye and even the most recently Koththamalli song sung by Sunil Perera and Gypsies became very popular.
“I believe that Sunil Perera’s performance as a singer and a veteran of the music industry, regardless of political affiliation, will forever be etched in the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka. May Sunil Perera, who passed away at the age of 68, attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved wife Geetha Perera Kulatunga, sons Sajith and Gayan and all the family including his daughters Rehana and Manisha and all the Sri Lankan’s who loved Sunil Perera.”
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