Veteran singer & musician Sanath Nandasiri passed away

Veteran singer & musician Professor Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri passed away at the age of 81 years.

One of the iconic singers in Sri Lankan music, Nandasiri is also a music director and composer who has received several awards for his compositions in a career spanning more than six decades.

He was the the third Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, and as a veteran musician had served as a Head of the Department of the Institute of Aesthetic Studies and as the first Dean of the Faculty of Music of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. 

He was honoured with a honorary professorship as a tribute to his outstanding contribution to the field of creative music in Sri Lankan.

Sanath Nandasiri, who first appeared on Sinhala Radio at the age of 13 in 1955, was also the playback singer of over 30 popular Sinhala movies including Ahas Gauwa, Duleeka, Sihina Lowak, Pembara Madhu and Senasuma.

Sanath Nandasiri has received several awards for his compositions in a career spanning more than six decades. 

In 1974, he launched his first solo concert ‘Swarna Kundala’ which was later performed for more than 250 concerts. In 1979, he recorded his first full album with the same title of his concert. This included his popular songs “Kisiwak Nokiyana” and “Egodaha Kandey”. 

After that he recorded three major albums for Singlanka 1980 and 1981 which included some of his best-known songs such as “Eka Yayata Mal” and “Mama Nam Asayi”. In addition, he has recorded songs for films most notably under the music direction of Premasiri Khemadasa.

In 2016, he was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, following the demise of late veteran musician Pandith Amaradeva.

Prof. Nandasiri was 81 years old at the time of his passing. The arrangements of his final rites will be announced later, family sources said.