Queen of Sri Lankan music on a tour to Australia and NZ
Kalasoori Latha Walpola, the queen of Sri Lankan music scene, is now in Australia performing in a series of concerts. Celebrating the 70th anniversary in her singing journey, Latha Walpola performed her first show in Melbourne on February 25 and she will be in Brisbane on March 4 and Auckland in New Zealand on March 11.
Born in Mount Lavinia as Rita Genève Fernando, Latha started her singing journey with the church choir. She sang ‘Kandulu Denethe Vehena’ as a first song for a Sarala Gee programme in the then Radio Ceylon. Vincent de Alwis who composed the song contributed with his vocal rendition for the song, a duet. Recognising her melodious voice and congenital talents, Vincent de Alwis introduced her to Susil Premaratne and C.T.Fernando, who were renowned singers then.
In Australia and New Zealand, Latha will perform with Priyantha Fernando- the son of yesteryear music legend C. T. Fernando and the music direction will be by renowned guitarist and music composer Mahinda Bandara.
The orchestra includes Vajira Ratnayake, Nihal Kalubowila, Camaron Kolambage, Jude Fernando, D. D. Gunasinghe, Susantha Pradeep and Indrajith Mirihana.
The concerts are organised by Malaka Yapa, a domicile in Australia.
