Sunil Perera

Ivor Sylvester Sunil Perera (born 14 September 1950; Sinhala:සුනිල් පෙරේරා), popularly as Sunil Perera, is a Sri Lankan vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and composer. He is the leader and the lead vocalist of the popular Sri Lankan band, Gypsies.[1] Sunil remains one of the most famous singers in the country,[2] while his band Gypsies remains one of Sri Lanka’s biggest musical franchise for the past three decades, with regular foreign tours, several hit albums and sold-out concerts.[3]

Sunil Perera
සුනිල් පෙරේරා
Born
Ivor Sylvester Sunil Perera

(1950-09-14) 14 September 1950
Narahenpita, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Sebastian’s College
St. Peter’s College
OccupationVocalist, Songwriter, Composer
Spouse(s)Geetha Kulatunga (m. 1981)
ChildrenSajith, Gayan, Rehana, Manisha
Parents
  • Anton Perera (father)
  • Dorine Perera (mother)
RelativesPiyal Perera (brother)
Lanthra Perera (cousin son)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals, Bass guitar
Years active1969–Present
LabelsGypsy Enterprises, Torana
Associated actsGypsies

Personal life

He was born on 14 September 1952 in a family with ten siblings. His father Anton Perera was also an ex-army person and later a musician who formed the original Gypsies band. Anton was a clerk at the government Postal Department.[4] His mother was Dorine Perera. He completed his education at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa till grade four and St. Peter’s College, Colombo.[5] He was a member of the school band.[6]

Sunil is married to Geetha Kulatunga[7] and the couple has two sons – Sajith, Gayan; and two daughters – Rehana, and Manisha.[6] Geetha was born on 18 March 1967 as the second of the family with four siblings. Her father Mahinda Kulatunga, is a Sub- Inspector of the Police. Mother is Dunitha Kulatunga. She studied in about 7-8 schools and her last school was Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy. Sunil met Geetha during her O/L classes. In 1981, she went for a show by the Gypsies with her sister and cousins.[7]

On October 25 in 1981, Sunil was arrested by Homagama police due to that Geetha's parents had lodged a complaint at the Police saying that Sunil had abducted Geetha. However, the case was closed by the both parents, Geetha's parents never allowed her to have an affair with Sunil. Later they engaged with parents' blessing when Geetha was 16 years old.[7][8]

Elder son, Sajith is married to Tahani, daughter of singer Dalreen Suby. Sajith worked at Ceylinco Group and currently runs own Advertising business. Gayan is a musician who formed the popular band "Daddy". The band produced many popular songs such as Massina, Ai Kale, Aale, Chandrayan Pidu, Dagalanna Ba. They have released two albums, The first album is ‘Massina’ and the second album is called ‘Arabiya’.[9] Both Sajith and Gayan studied at St.Peter’s College. Rehana is a housewife and Manisha followed a Fashion Designing course. Both Rehana and Manisha studied at St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo.[7]

Lanthra Perera, who formed the band "Doctor" is the son of Sunil's brother Nimal Perera.[10][11]

Career

At the age of 11, he started to play guitar.[4] In 1969 as soon as he left school, Sunil joined the band The Gypsies created by his father, Anton Perera along with his brothers – Nihal, Lal, Nimal, Piyal and uncle's son, grandpa's son and daughter, there were all seven of the crew.[12] He learned guitar under Vincent Jayawardane and George Ferdinando and had voice training under Loren Abeysekara, Lily Godridge and Maryanne David.

Sunil was the main vocalist of the band along with his brother Piyal Perera. Their first hit Linda Langa Sangamaya was released in 1972/1973 along with Amma Amma Me Mata.[13] In mid 1970s, his other brothers left the band and got involved in business activities.[12] In 1980, Gypsies released the first cassette with the song Kurumitto.[14] Other tracks sung by Gypsies include, Kadapathakin, None Mage Sudu None (1977), Lunu Dehi (1987), Oye Ojaye (1989),[3] Piti Kotapan None and Signore (1997).[4]

Sunil's recent works such as I don't know Why addresses mere sociopolitical issues through humor. However, several of his songs have been banned by the state media due to criticizing the government.[3] In 2017, he released the song Koththamalli. In 2019, he sung the song Diyawannawe Inna for the film Jaya Sri Amathithuma.[15]

Ideology

Sunil Perera recently came up with his own ideology about the sociopolitical situation in the country.[16] He is highly critical towards Sri Lankan society and politics.[3] In January 2017, Sunil went to the Department of Inland Revenue and insisted that he should pay income tax. Earlier, he had been paying tax for his income as a member of the music group only.[17]

References
  1. "Direct talk with Sunil Perera". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  2. http://ravana.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/interview-with-sunil-perera-the-gypsies-king-on-sex-religion-and-politics/
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Sunil Perera speaks about his life". gossiplankanews. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  5. "Life of a music legend". The Morning. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. http://www.gypsies.lk/Biography.html
  7. "'I tolerate my husband's crazy ways'". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  8. "My marriage is a minor crime - Sunil Perera". infosrilankanews. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  9. "From Jada to Daddy". Daily News. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  10. "Bringing the Groove with Lanthra Perera". Daily News. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  11. "Lanthra Perera speaks". Lankadeepa. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. "Baila Beats". Daily News. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  13. "Happy Birthday Sunil Perera: Take A Walk Down Memory Lane". Asian Mirror. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  14. "Dad's melody was Sunil's start - Sunil Perera". Aruna. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  15. "Songs sung by Sunil Perera to Jaya Sri Amathithuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  16. "Gypsies Sunil Fears Mahinda Will Kill Him If Elected". Colombo Telegraph. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  17. "Gypsies' Sunil insists on paying income tax!". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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