Sunday Times 2
Army pays tribute to musical maestro Pandit W. D. Amaradeva
The Sri Lankan Army will present yet another musical extravaganza, ‘Sannaliyane- Amarasara Jeewana Geththama’ a fundraising concert organised by the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) as a tribute to the country’s music maestro ‘Pandit W. D. Amaradeva. All 
proceeds of the event will be for the construction of Abimansala – wellness resorts for the lifetime care of dependent war heroes and their families.
The songs are sung by generations of veteran singers Visharada Victor Ratnayake, Sanath Nandasiri, Sunil Edirisinghe, Nanda Malini, Kolithabhanu Dissanayake, Edward Jayakody, Jagath Wickremasinghe, Luxman Wijesekara, and Amarasiri Peiris to name a few. The theme song Sannaliyane was originally written by Sarojini Nayaguru, translated to Sinhala by Mahagamasekara and sung by Pandit Amaradeva.
The entire show revolves around the theme circle of life. Using 23 immortal hits of the maestros like Mindada Heesara, Kolomthota, Pipuna Kusuma, Sasara Wasanathuru, Ipida Mere, Shantha Me Re Yame etc. the singers will fill the air with awe inspiring and rhythmic beats to cover aspects of life- birth, youth and death.
The show is truly a massive effort with more than 600 taking part and an audience of more than 4000 expected. The production concept is by lyricist Bandara Eheliyagoda, choreography by Channa Wijewardene and dancing by the Channa-Upuli dancing group and the Army dancing troupe. An ensemble of 100 Army musicians will be providing music under the expert direction of Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe.
“Every year the ASVU conducts many programmes not only to encourage dependent war heroes but also to seek funds to ensure their care and comforts. The 30-year war asked for huge sacrifices from so many people in our country and now the time has come for us to
Lyricist Bandara Eheliyagoda, Channa Wijewardene, Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Pandit Dr. W.D. Amaradeva, Army Commander Lt. Gen. R.M. D. Ratnayake, Seva Vanitha Chairperson Damayanthi Ratnayake, Executive General Major. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Organising committee chairman Major Gen. Renuka Udawatte, Military media spokesperson Brg. Ruwan Wanigasooriya and Army media coordinator Brg. Jayanath Jayaweera.
try and attempt to compensate them for their losses. The concert theme is a soldier’s interpretation of life,” said Army commander Lt. Gen. R.M.D. Ratnayake.
The story revolves around a village couple who have their first baby, a daughter and the love and happiness they feel. The story continues as she grows into a young girl living a carefree life, falling in love and getting married. The young couple has a child and the child grows up and life continues until the woman dies leaving her husband alone in the world.
Sannaliyane takes place on March 28 at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium. Tickets are available at Cargills food city outlets.