Abeywardena Balasuriya

He was born on 9 March 1947 in Mugunuwatawana, Chilaw, Sri Lanka. He completed education from St. Mary's College, Chilaw. His father, Kandappuhami was a harmonium player. In mid 1960s, he worked in the Air Force. When the job became a barrier to the singing career, he left the army and joined the Paddy Marketing Board as a technical officer.

 

He was married to a fellow singer, Nirajala Sarojani. He met Niranjala while singing in for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation’s (SLBC) "Upuli" album. Niranjala is the younger sister of veteran songstress Malkanthi Nandasiri. Malkanthi is married to Prof. Sanath Nandasiri, an icon in Sri Lankan music. Some of the other popular members of the family include, Nirmala Ranatunga, Kumar Pieirs, Manoj Peiris, and Sakunthala Peiris. Sakunthala worked at Veritas Radio in Manila. Manoj Peiris is a renowned tabla player and musician of Sri Lanka. Nirmala Ranatunga is also a singer who was married to late Wijeratne Ranatunga, a prominent tabla player. Nirmala's daughter Sewwandi Ranathunga is also a singer.

 

In his late years, he had a nervous breakdown and had difficulty speaking. He died on 26 March 2010 at the age of 63 while receiving treatment in ICU at the Colombo National hospital. His remains laid at his residence at No. 38, Yahampath Mawatha, Maharagama. The funeral took place at the Borella cemetery at 4 p.m. on 31 March 2010.[13] With the demise of Abeywardena, his wife Niranjala has also retired from singing.