Sri Lanka Army pays tribute to maestro Pandit Amaradeva

Wednesday, 2 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A musical extravaganza ‘Sannaliyane - Amarasara Jeewana Geththama’ organised by the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) as a tribute to the country’s music maestro Pandit W.D. Amaradeva was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Sunday (30). President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

All proceeds of the event will be for the construction of ‘Abimansala’ – wellness resorts for the lifetime care of dependent war heroes and their families. Visharada Victor Ratnayake, Sanath Nandasiri, Sunil Edirisinghe, Nanda Malini, Kolithabhanu Dissanayake, Edward Jayakody, Jagath Wickremasinghe, Luxman Wijesekara, and Amarasiri Peiris were some of the veteran singers who performed at the show. The theme song Sannaliyane was originally written by Sarojini Nayaguru, translated to Sinhala by Mahagamasekara and sung by Pandit Amaradeva. Over 20 immortal hits of Pandit Amaradeva such as ‘Mindada Heesara’, ‘Kolomthota’, ‘Pipuna Kusuma’, ‘Sasara Wasanathuru’, ‘Ipida Mere’ and ‘Shantha Me Re Yaame’ were performed at the show. At this mega event Channa Wijewardene’s dance troupes backed by a 125-member strong Sri Lanka Army oriental band performed.

The script of the mega concert is by lyricist Bandara Eheliyagoda, choreography by Channa Wijewardene and dancing by the Channa-Upuli dancing group and the Army dancing troupe. An

ensemble of 100 Army musicians provided music under the expert direction of Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe. The theme of the concert is a soldier’s interpretation of life. First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Presidential Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Army Commander Gen. Daya Rathnayake and a large number of artistes were present.