A Music Melody is into a richer more revealing statement like ‘The melody is haunting, angular and it is diatonic which is musical notes belonging to a specific scale or key. These words paint a picture for the listener of a song helping them to understand the precise superiority of the music.

Weerasinghe Arachchilage Edward Stanley Peries better known as the celebrity Stanley Peries born in Katugastota to parents Walter Reginald an ardent music lover and Josephine Silva. Stanley Peries  was a renowned musician ,music composer an expert in music mixing and music arrangements of course inherited via hereditary affiliations from his father, for a unceasing spell of three and a half decades acclaimed to be the Sri Lanka’s best saxophonist who holds for the record at SLBC for rendering music with his saxophone for twenty four songs on just one day, also Stanley Peries is the initial saxophonist who played for Sinhala songs a record that cannot be trampled. Stanley Peries possesses a melodious voice had sung two songs initially but subsequently had donated to Keethi Pasquel and Gratien Ananda having lyrics ‘Ran Tharu Payana ; and ‘ Sawasata Payana’ respectively .Keerthi Pasquel had been astonished to have received this song gifted to him.Stanley Peries does occasionally sing with his own band .;He was the founder and spearhead of the celebrated musical group ‘FORTUNES” from the  central hill capital, Kandy ,was born on 13th June 1941.His precious life was lost at a relatively young age of 60  years to the dreaded cancer decease by which he suffered only  for eight months. Prior to his demise a musical concert was organised by Visharada Neela Wickremasinghe through her ‘The Mother Organization at the BMICH titled ‘Suwadethi Kusumak’  while in a wheelchair at which many songs composed by him were sung.At this concert Stanley Peiris conveyed that while he was ailing some had come to his dwelling had promised to felicitate him which were all fake imaginations but it was only the crippled Neela Wickremasinghe who genuinely promised to organize this concert having confirmed at his residence 

For the craze he had for music when sick he was used to compose music for songs and fax them to musician Mahinda Bandara to avail them for new songs .While in his sick bed he composed his final melody for the then novice singer Shashika Nissansala titled ’Seth Kaviyak’. Stanley was educated at St.Anthony’s College Katugastota at which he excelled in ‘Art’ had later via the teacher learning abilities from ‘GURU’ Vidyalaya had joined to the tutorial staff at his ‘Alma Mater’ as the ‘Art’ teacher .. Simultaneously  for his inherited flair shown for music had learnt music at the Kandy MGC Institute, where he excelled in learning many musical instruments like the violin guitar, mandolin, tabla etc.It was later a neighbour had presented him with a  ramshackle saxophone which he had tried to repair by tying rubber strips had endeavoured to emanate sound he had reminisced but  later had sent to United Kingdom to be repaired which is how Stanley became renowned as the celebrated saxophonist he was by more or less self-taught for his immense innate music instincts not though known to be hereditary. Hence the music instrument saxophone became synonymous as Stanley Peiris as other saxophonists emerged as Kumar Molligoda and Jayantha Dissanayake to name just a few.

It  was revealed that though the saxophone is essentially a western instrument Stanley Peries had performed a dual role for his competency in ‘Uththara Baratha music with which he displayed his skills even in song recordings of legendary vocalists like music Maestros like WD Amaradewa and Visharada Nanda Malini.Stanley Peiris was chiefly instrumental in his contribution in re recording of many yesteryear songs to bring about an extraordinary flavour to them for which Stanley Peries had received a gigantic admiration for his flair with the new essence blended to his creations. Owing to his enormous talent had made many players and vocalists to face eventful agendas. It is learnt that  to rerecord duets songs of Rukmani Devi and Dharmadasa Walpola , the latter had approached Stanley for his unimpeded competency. It is on record for the ‘Tharu Arundathie’ song itself sufficient to know his abilities as a melody arrangement ‘king’ proved in the concert of Pundit WD Amaradewa  all songs were restructured by Stanley Peiris to be more fascinating and impressive to the vivid audiences. It was revealed at a television program the melody of the song ‘Tharu Arundathie’ is absolutely sufficient  Also, it is on record that when Pandit Amaradewa’s earlier songs in a cassette were rerecorded the task was given to Stanley Peries as it was no encounter and challenge to him which he achieved sans not damaging the rhythms, tempos of previous melodies as the music blend with the saxophone sprang the melodies more soothing and gentler feeling to ear. This aptitude once Professor Sunil Ariyaratne had quipped that this talent is possessed by musicians like Stanley Peries and Rohana Weerasinghe only, the competent duo who succeeds constantly in composing music very astutely. In his new music mixing and arrangements endeavours  he always made it a point to sustain the music eminence of the previous song which was his inimitable elegance.  Stanley Peries as a catholic who had composed many church songs like ‘Jesu Swami Daruwo’ was effortlessly gifted to deviate successfully when he made an abundant of delicious melodies for Visharada Nanda Malini which were disparate to one another. Also for Visharada Nanda Malini’s concert ‘Sathye Geethaya’ he had directed the music though a colossal mission cum task though was effortlessly hurdled with comfort by him also for ‘Pawana’ cassette Stanley Peiris had composed the entire music compositions. The song melody of Nanda Malini ‘Kurutu Gee Ge Pothe” was another exclusive creation of his. Also it should be reminisced the for the ‘Jothi Rathriya’ annual concert his contribution persisted as gigantic, while had participated to;’SA’ concerts as only a saxophone player.Though he had contributed so much to music it is hard to believe that during his life’s tenure had never been felicitated or had received any awards which is great pity but he had won the hearts of a massive amount of music lovers scattered islandwide which was his sheer contentment .Also he had never expected accolades from the media one who disliked to be present in television dialogues and confrontations. However only after his demise via many programs in televisions particularly the Independent Television Network should be recollected for organizing programs as ‘Nomiyena Sihinaya’ a television program with family blokes and musicians Recently SLRC in the weekly program Piyum Neela Wila conducted a television program Stanley Peries was reminisced with Niluka Peries the youngest daughter as the guest  Some of his song melodies are:

·        Sanda Ma Ha Dayaratne Ranathunga
·        Sithin Ma Nosalee, Kurahan yaye, Chandikamata Randuwak T. M. Jayaratne
·        Hanga Gal Leney –H. R. Jothipala
·        Igillila yanna yan, Re tharakawo, Ranabima marune Chandrika Siriwardena
·        Ganu Lamainey, Mal pokuru pokuru – Victor Rathnayake
·        Kurutu ge gee pothe, Jesu swami daruwane, Peedena goyame – Nanda Malini
·        Peda Pasi Soyala – Abeywardena Balasuriya
·        Hada pathule, Athithaye pawa, Ama Ran Hagum, Weedi Kone, Dawasak Thiyewi – Milton Mallawarachchi
·        Asurin mideela, Mage Lamada, Jeewithe mage oyakiyala, Hadawatha illa, Sanda tharaka – Priya Suriyasena
·        Hathara watin kalu karagena – Sujatha Attanayaka
·        Hawasata paya, Tharu yaye – Gratien Ananda
·        Rantharu payana, Sinhala raja kale – Keerthi Pasquel
·        Suba gamanak wewa, Duwa daruwo, Me kathawa manmulawa – Chandralekha Perera
·        Kedinada kudu hadhanata, Manamaliya Wee – Niranjala Sarojini
·        Sili sili seethala alle, Mudu Palanda – Raj Senivirathna
·        Sandaleka,  Sura geeyai bilindu handai – Rookantha Gunathilake
·        Duwa maa wage – Clarence Wijewardena
·        
·        Tharu arundahthi – W. D. Amaradeva
·        Seegiri geeyak, Ranchagoda – Nirosha Virajini
·        Nethin netha balala – Rohana Bogoda
·        Landune sonduru landune, Mage Meenachi – Raju Bandara
·        Ahase polowe sagare, Sudu rosai muhuna – Jayantha Dissanayaka
·        Oba Malak wage hinaheela, pera kale – Athula Adhikari
·        Mama yanam – Nelu Adhikari
·        Suwadathi Kusumaka Susinidu Pethi Matha – Neela Wickramasinghe and Mervin Perera.In the above context Stanley Peries had composed melodies for all senior artistes..
It should be reminisced that he had composed music melodies for over one hundred songs for Milton Mallawarachchi while thirty-four song melodies with music arrangements were accomplished for the legendary singer TM,Jayaratne and many more songs for all senior artistes.
Stanley Peries tied the nuptial knot with fiancé’ Margarita on 13th July year 1963 is blessed with five children three daughters and two sons. The eldest sibling Sanjeewa who could sing well but he is no more. All other siblings have inherited music via hereditary affiliations. Shanika it is learnt is the other sibling who could among the siblings sing well. Stanley’s elder brother who knowing his skills had bought him ideally  a ‘mouth organ’ as had a craze for music .It was revealed that while playing his mouth organ Stanley used to grapple the ‘Dolki’ between his legs and keep playing the mouth organ such was his talent. It was also revealed that all family members headed by father and close relatives were used to have music tamashas frequently at least once weekly at their dwelling.As some unwanted folks watched from the road his father had placed a notice no unwanted folks could gather here.
His elder brother in the Navy perhaps  may have  instigated him to apply for his first job  at the Sri Lanka Navy as a Signal Exchanging Officer trainee/ But he had been shuffled across to be positioned in far way camps.  but as he was a factual and truthful intimate family bloke having two small kids had opted leave had subsequently joined his ‘Alma Mater’ as the ‘arts teacher  in the mid 1950 era could not serve as music teacher as he was devoid of certificates. But Stanley Peries though competent to teach ‘Uttara Ragadhari Sangeetha,, Hindustan  and Western music he lacked proof of certificates’ hence he had voluntarily yet enthusiastically taught music imparting his music familiarity to many students.  In his classes one student he reminisced was Rookantha Gunatilleke who lately became his contemporary musician, about whom Stanley had said Rookantha was extremely talented in music too. This teaching path in ‘Art’ at St.Anthony’s College he continued until he left his teaching tenancy to concentrate on his music vocation.
Stanley’s musical journey had been instigated with his adjacent association with KDK Dharmawardena, who was instrumental in bringing him down from the hill capital to Colombo. KDK was very persuasive, dominant renowned lyricist also a protruding presenter at the SLBC,It was later  Stanley’s association with Milton Mallawarachchi had begun in the mid 1960 decade when music arrangements for Milton’s first song’ ‘Ama Hangum’ for the lyrics penned by KDK was released. In a book authored by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne it had been stated that it was KDK who had introduced Stanley Peries to the SLBC also though he possessed ample knowledge to teach music was not considered to be appointed a music educator as he lacked obligatory paper credentials. It was the Sinhala music theme the first of its kind ‘Muni Nandana Siri Pada’ played on the turntables of the SLBC still, perhaps for ever as the signature music theme.  His music genres were very vivid having proved by his music melodies having a secure signature, this was obviously evident when song melodies composed by him hen listened to have a  unique inimitable elegance. In year1981 he had originally composed music for the film Saranga and thereafter for films including: ‘SooraSaradiel’and’Baisikalaya’.Altogether he had composed music for five films with distinction
Stanley Peries had disassembled ’Fortunes’ band which hitherto had conquered  many concerts, dances, weddings as a few members had left overseas in search of ‘greener pastures’ had formed the novel band ‘Galaxy’, with Rookantha Gunathilake on keyboard, Mahinda Bandara on lead guitar and Keerthi Pasqual on base Incidentally Mahinda Bandara who was groomed by Stanley Peries who rose to unprecedented tall elevations in composing music melodies had confessed many times that there wouldn’t be a ‘Mahinda Bandara’ if not for Stanley Peries .Mahinda at a television hostility jested that until his demise he would continue to utter this tribute with admiration to him.Mahinda added that he was groomed by Stanley Peries from his younger days even had learnt the manner how to arrange the players at recordings,   As a person one who willingly lends his hand to all novice musicians. Stanley Peries facilitated composer young Dinesh Subasinghe at the beginning of his illustrious music career in year 2000.
The ‘Fortunes’ music group was headed by Stanley under a Manager named Ian Weragama at which Stanley commenced as the saxophone player,with time Stanley had become the leader of ‘Fortunes’ come to Colombo. Stanley was a real family guy who after recordings used to return to his dwelling in Katugastota which quality he maintained throughout his musical vocation. Earlier the group ‘Fortunes’ had performed exclusively in Kandy for dances, weddings and parties singing predominantly English songs. In Colombo Stanley had been an automatic choice as the solitary saxophone exponent for many recordings including for cassettes and film theme  music too, along with his players in the ‘Fortunes’ group. This involvement had made many musicians very eventful with recording after recording nonstop making many financially very sound too an opportunity which comes their way seldom. This progression made Stanley Peries so contended as his wish was this .It was always the forthright command of Stanley Peiris was to make music a reputed ‘industry; which yearning would make all musicians to lead comfortable lives all to stand contentedly on their feet ,
 The song melody completed to TM Jayaratne’s song ‘Purahan Yaye’ is unique had been deliberated at a database in the SLBC, Under the leadership of GSB Rani Perera at the SLBC  it was Stanley Peries who originated the concept of theme music to the SLBC whose such tunes are still been played repetitively. It should be reminisced that many song melodies of him are made into cassettes by reputed music established as ‘Torana Music’ which were and are sold like hot cakes titled;As ‘Very Best of Hits’…  His musical career spanned for more than thirty five years and he produced over 700 albums and composed music scores for about 6,600 songs. Some of his  other popular melodies include; Lata Walpola’s “Punsanda Eliyai”, Milton Mallawarachchi‘s “Amaran Hengum”, Clarence Wijewardena‘s “Duwa Ma Wage”, Gration Amanda’s “Tharu Yaye” and Nirosha Virajini‘s “Sigiri Geeyak Obe Hadawathe” which to date are ‘hits’.
In the foregoing details it is evident the amount of contribution Stanley Peries had made to music in Sri Lanka and to the SLBC which no other musician had contributed is so large proportions hence another musician like him would never be born to native Sri Lanka reminiscing his music, In addition to music Stanley Peiris is a master of many other trades prominently an expert wood carving having designed many such wood carvings at his dwelling, was a very friendly individual who never accuses his players for wrong doings which his wife Margerita disclosed. It was stated Stanley Peries has had so many faithful friends locally and internationally wherever he visited had made new friends was somewhat of a natural phenomenon a glittering human being a huge lost to his family friends and to music in Sri Lanka.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane email sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242  ..   . .