It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of legendary singer Latha Walpola, widely revered as the Queen of Sri Lankan song. She passed away today (27) at the age of 92 while receiving treatments in Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital .
Born Matharage Rita Fernando on November 11, 1934, in Mount Lavinia, she was the daughter of Joseph Fernando and Elizabeth Muriel. She was one of five children in the family. Her mother, a teacher, recognised her talent early and encouraged her to pursue music.
Latha Walpola received her primary education at St. Anthony’s College, Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia, where she led the church choir, marking the beginning of her musical journey.
She entered the world of music in 1946, at the age of just 12, as a member of the Radio Ceylon choir She was introduced to radio by family friend and radio dramatist C.A. Fonseka, who invited her to sing in his programme alongside his son, C.D. Fonseka.
In 1947, she sang her first song, “Kandalu Deneth Vehena”, with lyrics by Sarath Wimalaweera and music composed by Vincent de Alwis, a resident violinist at Radio Ceylon.
She later performed under the guidance of renowned musicians Mohamed Gous, P.L.A. Somapala, and B.S. Perera. By 1950, she had become a household name, gaining popularity for songs such as “Sukomala Banda Lelawa”, “Dunhinda Halena”, and “Diyaluma Halena”, originally sung by Chithra Somapala.
One of her most beloved songs, “Malbara Himidiriye – Pipune Esala Araliya Mala”, sung with C. T. Fernando, remains a timeless classic. Many of her most popular songs were composed by Premasiri Kemadasa. Remarkably, even at the age of 86, she continued to sing, recording a song with music by Sarath de Alwis and lyrics by Jude Prasanna.
Her first film playback song was recorded in 1953. Over her long and illustrious career, Latha Walpola contributed to nearly 600 films as a playback singer, leaving an indelible mark on Sinhala cinema and music.
In 1959, she married Dharmadasa Walpola, after which she became widely known as Latha Walpola. The couple had four sons and one daughter.
In recognition of her immense contribution to the arts, she received numerous honours. She was awarded the Kala Suri Award in 2005 and the prestigious Deshamanya Award in 2017, Sri Lanka’s second-highest civilian honour. She also won the Sarasaviya Award four times. In 202, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony honouring artists who shaped the early decades of Sinhala cinema.
Latha Walpola’s voice was an inseparable part of Sri Lanka’s musical heritage. It is impossible to imagine the joy of Sinhala song without her contribution. Her legacy will live on through generations of music lovers.
