CHRISTY LEONARD PERERA
The third death anniversary of veteran actor and singer Christy Leonard Perera who was a popular artiste in the fifties and sixties, falls on October 23. Born in Colombo in 1932, Christy was educated at St. Lucia’s College, Kotahena. He joined Radio Ceylon as a comedy artiste in 1948 and later recorded songs like Kullen Pola Pola, Amma Kiya Kiyatha Heki Ekama Landakatai, Mamai Bada Pissa and others. He had also sung a duet – Hitha Yana Atha Yannata Heka - with legendary actor Gamini Fonseka. Having started his acting career in Warada Kageda, he went on to play pivotal roles as a comedian in popular films like Chandiya, Sukumali, Suneetha, Sirimalee, Sundara Birinda, Allapu Gedara, Yatagiya Dawasa, Dheewarayo, Soora Chowraya, Athma Pooja, Hondama Welawa and several other hits.