“The La Ceylonians” – By Des Kelly It’s been quite a while since I heard one of the original Ceylon Bands led by Maestro Noel Ranasinghe, but Wallah!!, out of the blue, so to speak, while watching music on you-tube, this great song titled “Tharuna Jeewithe’  Ape’ Vinodayen” came up, and I must say that I enjoyed the presentation of the song so much, I decided to feature it on e’Lanka. This particular version was published on April the 11th, 2015, by Kamal Gunaratne, and, so far has earned a hefty 33 thousand views. Not bad at all, for any song.  Sadly, Noel passed away aged 73, but songs like this will keep on, keeping on, so rest in peace, Maestro. Desmond Kelly. (Editor-in-Chief) e’Lanka. Leisure Local scene… Noel — The father of Calypso in Sinhala pop Prasad Gunewardene He was the man who introduced a new trend into Calypso style ...

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“TRIPLE TALENT” by Des Kelly  Two words, not often associated with their true meaning. A “talent”, IS, however, often associated with “a legacy” left by parents to their children, in my own case, my dear Mum,  God rest her soul, was a prize-winning “vocalist” during her School years, in Ceylon (of course). Through my “writings” for H.M.S.eLanka (Her Majesty’s Ship),our Captain, Neil Jayasekera, & lowly Vice Captain,(myself), have decided to, firstly, delete the word “Vice”(I am too old for any of that), & substitute the prefix “Co”, making me therefore a bloody “Co-Captain”. Where was I going with this ?, what the ! ?. Oh, yes, it was “talent” we were talking about. “okay, Sir”!       Secondly, whenever & wherever possible, my “stories” for eLanka will feature “You-Tube” clips, as an added “entertainment”, if you like, for “on-line” members of our good Ship eLanka. If you are not a member, ...

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