The music of Sri Lanka has its roots in five primary influences: ancient folk rituals, Hindu religious traditions, Buddhist religious traditions, the legacy of European colonisation, and the commercial and historical influence of nearby Indian culture—specifically, Kollywood cinema and Bollywood cinema.
Baila is a form of music, popular in Sri Lanka and among Goan Catholics in India. The genre originated centuries ago among the Portuguese Burghers and Sri Lankan Kaffirs. Baila songs are played during parties and weddings in Sri Lanka, Goa, and Mangalore accompanied by dancing.
Vithana Kuruppu Arachchilage Clarence Arthur Somasinghe Wijewardena JP, known professionally as Clarence Wijewardena, was a Sri Lankan singer, composer and musician. Considered one of the most respected musicians in Sri Lanka, Wijewardena revolutionized Sri Lankan Sinhala Pop Music with the use of the electric guitar in Sinhala music, in the 1960s. Due to his influence on Sinhala pop music, he is often named as the "father of Sri Lankan pop music".
Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva, popularly known as Desmond de Silva, was a Sri Lankan singer, background musician and entertainer. Often regarded as the "King of Baila", he is noted for his youthful voice that was said to have changed little over four decades of performing.
Sri Lankabhimanya Wannakuwattawaduge Don Albert Perera, better known by his adopted name Amaradeva, was a prominent Sri Lankan Sinhalese vocalist, violinist and composer. Primarily using traditional instruments like sitars, tablas and harmoniums, he incorporated Sinhala folk music with Indian ragas in his work. Many consider his contribution to the development of Sinhala music as unmatched; hence, he is occasionally cited as the "Maestro of Sri Lankan Music".
Hettiarachchige Reginald Jothipala, popularly as H. R. Jothipala, was a Sri Lankan playback singer in the Sinhala cinema as well as a film actor. Considered as the best playback singer in Sri Lankan film history, Jothipala lent his voice to all classes of actors ranging from Eddie Jayamanne to Ranjan Ramanayake. He also worked as an opera singer. He died in July 1987 at the age of 51 year from cardiac arrest.
Mahagamage Samson Fernando,, popularly as M. S. Fernando, was a Sri Lankan singer and musician. He is a major player in the development of Baila music and was widely popular among Sri Lankan audiences commonly referred to as the "Baila Chakkrawarthi".
Pasquel Wasam Ananda Keerthirathna, popularly known as Keerthi Pasquel, is a Sri Lankan pop musician and composer. He has been performing for more than three decades and has won a number of awards. Keerthi is a judge on the reality show Derana Dream Star and sets the record as the only judge in Sri Lanka to sit for 10 consecutive seasons in a reality show beginning from 2008 until today. He has been active in music education and in social welfare. He is affectionately known as the "balladeer of Sinhala music".
Uswatta Liyanage Ivor Sylvester Sunil Perera was a Sri Lankan vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and composer. Described as one of the most influential musicians in Sri Lankan music history, Perera was the leader and the lead vocalist of The Gypsies. He was associated with Sri Lanka's baila genre, and gained the nickname "Baila Chakravarthy".
Mariazelle Goonetilleke is a Sri Lankan singer and musician.
Mirihana Arachchige Nanda Malini Perera, popularly as Nanda Malini, is a Sri Lankan musician. One of the best known and most honoured singers of Sri Lanka, Malini's choice of singing themes are based on real life and social-cultural situations. Her songs intricate notional ideas of relationships, life-circumstances, and emotions that stem out of human realities.
Visharada Dona Delicia Neela Wickramasinghe, popularly as Neela Wickramasinghe, was a Sri Lankan songstress, teacher, playback singer and musician. A four-time winner of the Sarasaviya Award for Best Singer, Wickramasinghe has contributed a number of popular songs to the Sri Lankan music industry in a career expanded more than five decades.
Ronnie Luke Leitch, better known as Ronni Leitch and Thattaya, was a Sri Lankan actor, comedian, singer, presenter and social activist. Largely popularized as a comedian, Leitch was also gained fame for singing over 350 songs, most notably "Thattaya" and "Kauda Bole Alice".
"Rambari" is a Sinhala song composed and sung by Sri Lankan singer Lahiru Perera, who also goes by the stage name "La Signore". The lyrics to the song are by Sri Lankan lyricist Manuranga Wijesekera, who has collaborated with Lahiru on many of his songs. Recorded and released in 2009, the single is still a staple of the Sri Lankan music scene and has been covered and remixed by many artists. It is especially popular at weddings Due to the popularity of the song in Sri Lanka, the music video for Rambari won the title of "Music Video of the Year" at the Derana Music Awards 2010.
Kala Keerthi Madurawela Arachchilage Christy Leonard Perera [Sinhala]), popularly as Christy Leonard Perera, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema as well as a musician and comedian.
Suhasini Abhisheka Wimalaweera is a Sri Lankan singer, an entrepreneur, an indigenous skin doctor, novelist and a lyricist. In 2022, she became the Winning Coach at "The Voice Teens Sri Lanka".
The following lists notable events that took place during the year 2021 in Sri Lanka.
Umaria Binthy Ayesha Sinhawansa, popularly referred to by the mononym Umaria, is a Sri Lankan pop, R&B and jazz singer. She is the youngest musician to be ever awarded A-Grade by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. She has won the 'Kala Keerthi Abhimani' award for her contribution to Sri Lanka's music industry. Umaria began her music career at age 11 in the 2005, performing with her sister at various stages. She made her debut as a playback singer in the film Asai Man Piyabanna. And also she has won silver awards at Pan Asia Music International Music Competition and the Crimea Music Fest international competition.
Gamini Susiriwardana, was a Sri Lankan singer and actor. One of the popular singers in Sri Lankan reality music industry, Susiriwardana entered the industry through the second season of Sirasa Superstar where he dominated indoor music for nearly 14 years since 2007.
Subasinghe Nishshanka Suneera Sumanga Dias, popularly known as Suneera Sumanga, is a Sri Lankan singer and musician. He is the winner of the seventh season of singing reality competition Derana Dream Star. Apart from that, he is also the founder and lead vocalist of live band called “Vayana”.
