Remembering Somapala Rathnayake

The third death anniversary of veteran music director Somapala Rathnayake falls on July 17.

Kadugannawa-born Somapala who was the younger brother of popular vocalist Victor Rathnayake, was 70 at the time of his death. He studied at Kadugannawa Maha Vidyalaya and for the first time joined the orchestra of Hanthane Kathawa  as a musician under the guidance of Premasiri Khemadasa.

Since then, Somapala Rathnayake, a well-known cello player, has directed music for more than 80 Sinhala movies including Handaya, Uthumaneni, Sagarayak Meda, Koti Waligaya, Nomiyena Minisun, Anthima Reya, Demodara Palama, Peralikarayo, Ekada Wehi, Okkoma Kanapita, Sudu Piruwata and others.