VALE’, DESMOND De SILVA – by Des Kelly

That’s life, as they say. The “Baila-King”, as he was famously known, has passed away in Melbourne, aged 77.

To say that I was shocked to hear the news early this morning, would have to be the understatement of the year.

This same baila-king was supposed to be coming along to pay me a visit before heading back home to Sydney, and I was looking forward to it, then, this happens !!.

I was both shocked and saddened by the news.

I was not privileged to know Desmond in Ceylon because, when he began his professional showbiz career in our lovely Island home, I was already in Australia. I believe that one of the original “groups” he started off with, was called

The Fireflies, followed by several other bands, before moving abroad. I did get to know Desmond much better, after he moved to Australia. I met him personally, at the home of another good friend of both Des. & I, Trevine Rodrigo, and immediately noticed the charismatic quality that this guy was so famous for. He looked so very young and charming in his happy demeanour, I could well see how he would attract especially the young ladies in his audiences, anywhere in the World, and I told him so. He laughed at my comment, as Trevine offered him another drink with which to “toast” this fact.

Desmond de Silva was someone that Sri Lanka should be very proud of. I knew nothing of his other achievements as a human being, nothing about his track record of helping kids with Autism, and other charitable acts that favored the needy, etcetera, all I knew was that, as an entertainer, he excelled in what he did, and I am very proud and privileged to have known him, and been his friend.

My sincere condolences go out to Phyllis, his partner, the rest of his family, friends and fans, around the Globe.