Veteran Sri Lankan Baila Artist Saman de Silva Passes Away

A renowned and irreplaceable figure in Sri Lanka’s music industry across four decades, veteran Baila singer Saman de Silva passed away today (April 27) at Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital. He was 69 years old at the time of his death.

Having embarked on his full-time musical career around 1975, Saman de Silva was considered a distinctive and influential presence in Sri Lanka’s music world, particularly for his enormous contribution to the Baila music genre.

Among the timeless songs he performed are:

"Niyare Piyanagala"

"Punchi Kurulu Kuduwe"

"Epa Epa Rewathenu (Suruupi Wiruupi)"

"Santhosa Wenna Preethi Wenna"

"Thanathilla Dige"

"Purahanda Neguna"

"Ayarin Josephine"

"Dewlowa Dewiyane"

"Handawala Sithak"

"Pinibara Seetha Yame"

"Mathakai Amme"

These songs will remain forever embedded in the hearts of the Sri Lankan people.

Saman de Silva also served as the President of the Singers' Association of Sri Lanka. Moreover, he held the position of National Organizer of the UNP’s (United National Party’s) Arts Council. Additionally, he contested from the UNP for the Colombo District in a past Western Provincial Council election.

Throughout his career, Saman de Silva travelled to many countries around the world for his musical performances, contributing to the international representation of Sri Lankan music.

An alumnus of Nalanda College, Colombo, he resided in the Moratuwa area.

With his passing, Sri Lanka's music industry has lost a remarkable and unparalleled singing artist.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Saman de Silva’s family, friends, and fans in this time of grief.

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