The Gypsies An Enduring Musical Legacy of Sri Lanka Piyal Carries On The Family Torch – By Lawrence Machado

The Gypsies An Enduring Musical Legacy of Sri Lanka Piyal Carries On The Family Torch – By Lawrence Machado

Mark Piyal Perera, the leader of the famous Gypsies band, is a wonderfully-creative musician who is carving his own mark in Sri Lanka’s music scene.

The Gipsies, which was founded by Anton Perera in 1969, originally included his sons, Sunil, Nihal, Nimal, Lal and nephews Noel, Kanthi, and Neville. In 1970, it officially became the Gypsies we have come to love and admire. 

Piyal was the last sibling to join in 1975, quickly fitting into the tight family unit. The group thrived in Sri Lanka and overseas until the incomparable Sunil sadly passed away in September 2021.

What many music fans won’t know is that the Gypsies almost folded up after Sunil’s death, and struggled for nearly two years without their incredible frontman, who was 90 per cent Gypsies as Piyal says.

“We had a very hard time after Sunil’s death and wondered if we should continue,” Piyal recalled in a candid interview. “Sunil was 90 per cent the Gypsies (brand), and we were not sure we could go on without him. I spoke to the band members, and we decided to play on and see how it goes.

‘Things were not great’

“Things were not great, and we lost several contracts, though we had some nice people who wanted to help us. We went on for a year before Dushan (Jayatilleke) wanted to leave. In fact, I encouraged him to start his own band because we were not sure how we were going. 

“Dushan played keyboards and had been with us for a long time, being a prominent member of the band. We then started looking for a new keyboardist and lead guitarist as Kamal (Perera) also left.”

Piyal says the main change came when they took a punt on youngster Shenal Nishanthka in 2022 after seeing him perform on YouTube.

“We wanted to be a rock band because, as you know, when the Gypsies first started, we played mostly English songs,” Piyal said. “Shenal was very young, very raw, but could play the guitar and sing rock songs.

‘Sunil is looking after us’

“I know Sunil is looking after us from above, as everything happened at the right time for the band.

“When we sang baila at our shows, I noticed Shenal knew more of the earlier group songs than even me, and we decided he would become a vocalist and forget his guitar on stage.

“Shenal brought us the change, and since we sang the song Alice in Moratuwa a few years ago, it went viral, and people started believing in the Gypsies again.

“We have some of the best musicians around, and they are young and talented.

“I am very happy with the way things are going, by God’s blessings.

“Without God’s blessings, I cannot do anything. I have a lot of faith.”

Despite changes in the line-up, which included leading female vocalists Corrine Almeida

Monique Wille, Sharon Nesadura, Judith White, and Radhika Rajavelu, the Gypsies have grown from strength to strength over many decades. In June 2026, highly-talented Gypsies bassist Derrick Hepponstall passed away.

The Gypsies remain immensely popular in Sri Lanka and around the world. Their recent concerts in Australia were sold out, while their baila and other music are played at many parties and dances around the world. Many Sri Lankan families have cherished baila CDs of the Gypsies in their collection, with Sunil fronting some of the most loved songs, which most often bring a smile to all of us.

Who can forget their funny, highly-entertaining Kurumitto, which remains popular to this day whenever the Gypsies perform anywhere in the world?

All the Perera brothers hail from St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, which has produced so many amazing musicians over the years. 

It was their Dad Anton who pushed them and promoted their early successes, bringing together such iconic personalities as Vijay Corera to give them advice and encouragement. Their Mother, Doreen, encouraged their talents and careers. The family includes sisters Ranjanie Dias, Shiranie Fernando, Gina Fernando and the late Ramanie. Piyal and Rosmarie have two children, Charlotte and Lawrence.

Music Pioneers

They were pioneers in many ways with innovative music, stage acts and instruments. Sunil and his band are also known for catchy and strong satirical lyrics like I Don’t Know Why about the situation in Sri Lanka, which has earned them millions more fans across the globe.

It was Sunil who wanted to play music professionally as a teenager, and thanks to his Dad’s guidance, the band was formed. And the rest is history. 

One thing Anton made his sons promise was that they should not leave the island and be based overseas. At that time, many top Lankan bands and musicians successfully moved to Europe and other destinations to expand their reach and earn more.

A Genuine Entertainer

We caught up with Piyal and his charming wife, Rosemarie, during his last visit to Sydney, a few months ago, at the home of fellow classmate and great friend Shiran Viswasam. It was Piyal at his most relaxed, as he regaled us with anecdotes and stories about his Dad, and his brothers, taking us from when the band started to the present day. 

Listening to him and his stories made me realise that not only was Piyal a genuine entertainer, but also so grounded without any airs and graces.

It was a real pleasure catching up with him, as the last time we had sat down like this and enjoyed ourselves was many moons ago, back in 2011 in Sri Lanka, when we had our amazing 50th birthday class reunion in Sri Lanka. Piyal made the occasion extra special by composing and recording a CD for us to remember our schoolboy days. 

The present Gypsies line-up features Piyal (vocalist/band leader), Shenal Nishshanka (vocalist), Merisant Ravi Gowinnage Don (keyboards), Ranuka Colambaarahchi (lead guitarist), Laksiri Wattage (bass guitarist), Ajith Dangamuwage (vocalist/drummer) and Dilmi (vocalist). Manager: Joshua Jayathilaka.

The family are also well known for their Uswatte Confectionery Works, founded by Christie and Anton Perera in 1956, based on their mother Mabel’s much-loved dessert recipe. They were the first company, as far as I know, to manufacture the first chewing gum in Sri Lanka. The third-generation company, now run by S. Quitus Perera, the son of Christie, has expanded beyond its famous Glucorasa treats, available in Australia and many other countries around the world. 

Faith A Guiding Force

What is remarkable about the Gypsies family is their guiding faith, which has provided them with the inspiration for their many successes at home and overseas.

When you listen to Piyal’s song about thanking Jesus Christ for his countless blessings to mark his and Rosemarie’s 35th wedding anniversary, you can understand why they remain humble and grounded despite the fame their music has brought them since the 1970s. 

The Gypsies remain one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic bands, and their music will always live on, thanks to their all-round talent and sheer entertainment, which was epitomised by the one and only Sunil. 

As for Piyal, he is keen for the band to reach 60 years in 2029, at which time he might think of drawing the curtains on a truly amazing and entertaining career.

Their Dad, who passed away in 1991, and Sunil must be proudly looking down from Heaven, as they see their dream band surpass all expectations as one of Sri Lanka’s most successful and enduring bands.

The band has released several EPs, albums and CDs, including the highly-popular Dance with Gypsies volumes which continue to be played in Sri Lankan homes around the world.