Two days ago, on September 6, Sri Lanka’s most popular singer and entertainer par excellence – Sunil Perera - leader of the ‘Gypsies’ passed away. A terrible shock and huge blow not only to the entertainment world in the country, but also to the country as a whole.

The legendary performer had earlier last month, been diagnosed with the dreaded coronavirus. The country breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was reported he had recovered and was sent home. However, it was not to be. Last Thursday he was rushed back to hospital where he subsequently succumbed to the disease.
Sunil had to pay the price for our collective fault of ignoring medical advice such as social distancing during the Sinhala/Tamil New Year celebrations, which resulted in the numbers of Covid-19 patients spiralling uncontrollably and an inability on the part of the health authorities to bring the fast-spreading virus under control.

Until then, the numbers contracting the disease had been somewhat under control. However, the entry of the Indian Delta variant, a short while later put paid to any chance of health authority’s attempts to control the virus.
The entry of sufficient quantities of vaccines latterly, will help in lowering the numbers of those contracting the virus as well as those dying of the disease down in the not too distant future, but was too late to save one of the icons in the Lankan music scene.

For the past 49 years, Sunil and his fellow band mates the ‘Gypsies’ have enthralled and  entertained generations of Sri Lankans both here and abroad.The band took Sri Lanka’s traditional ‘baila’ and imprinted their own inimitable special brand and style on it.

What made Sunil stand out in the music field was not only his brand of music, but his fearless intervention in political and social issues of the day that were reflected not only in his lyrics, but often expressing opinions none in his field dared tread. Most artistes avoid expressing political opinions or comments on current events preferring to keep a low profile on these subjects. 

At one of his public performances, a particular minister whose son was said to be involved in the distribution of drugs and involvement with drug dealers used underground elements to physically assault him and demand he stop raising such issues. 

Sunil’s reply came via a media interview and his creation ‘Lankawe’, where he raised issues of election violence, rigging of elections, unemployment, political interference and politicians on the take. The live performances and albums sold like hot cakes, exposed the political establishment and made the then cabinet the laughing stock of the country.

Sadly, the legendary performer is no more. It is said he did not own a private vehicle or a mobile phone. He was cremated at the Borella cemetery in accordance with Covid-19 rules, sans the crowds of fans who would normally have thronged the venue of his final journey.
So sad, he was a great man, controversial, ever helpful, opinionated and never afraid to air his thoughts. Sadly, like the tens of thousands of others before him in this country, hefell victim to the coronavirus which has brought death and destruction to millions the world over.

Thank you Sunil for the great music… for taking on the establishment, for fearlessly facing the consequences, for not giving up in the face of adversity and especially for entertaining the young and old alike with your special brand of ‘baila’. 
With apologies to Elton John, “the candle has blown out, but the legend never will…”