INDRANI WIJEBANDARA BIDS FAREWELL

Indrani Wijebandara – one of the country’s most lovable singing icons, breathed her last recently and her funeral was held at the Borella General Cemetery amidst a large gathering. Having started her singing career as a 15-year-old student in 1951, Indrani Wijebandara became a playback singer with Dr. Lester James Peries’ ‘Rekhawa’ in 1956. Her song ‘Vesak Kekulu Athu Aga Mal’ was adjudged the best film song in 1957. Rekhawa was a turning point in her career and life. The film not only opened doors for her to make her debut as a distinctive singer, but also opened doors in her heart to accommodate her life partner Sisira Senaratne whom she met during Rekhawa. They married on May 31, 1962 and were blessed with three children - Subhani, Sanjaya and Samira. Indrani Wijebandara will be remembered for her evergreen songs like Gaya Geethayan Game Wel Eliye, Budu Samine, Vesak Kekulu, Sudupata Mal, Sandapane Mal Pipuna, Sujatha, Oba Gathin Ma Langai, Dhammi Thawamath Adarei and others. She sang for almost 40 Sinhala films and held the ‘Sisindra’ concert in several countries together with Sisira.