Veteran Sri Lankan singer Latha Walpola, known as the Nightingale of Lanka, passed away on December 27, 2025, at age 91 while receiving hospital treatment.
Her death marks the end of a remarkable seven-decade career that shaped Sinhala music.
Early Life
Latha Walpola was born Matharage Rita Genevieve Fernando on November 11, 1934, in Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka. Her mother, a teacher, encouraged her singing, starting with the school church choir at St. Anthony College in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
At age 12, family friend C.A. Fonseka introduced her to Radio Ceylon’s choir in 1946, launching her fame.
Career Highlights
She debuted her first solo song “Kandulu Denethe Vehena” in 1947 and became a leading female singer by 1950.
Walpola recorded thousands of songs for radio, films, Columbia, and HMV labels, including hits like “Malbara Himidiriye Pipune Esala Araliya Mala” with C.T. Fernando.
She sang duets with her late husband Dharmadasa Walpola and worked with South Indian musicians and Sri Lankan stars in nearly 600 films.
Awards and Legacy
She earned the Deshamanya title, Sri Lanka’s second-highest national honor, plus Sarasaviya Awards and lifetime achievements abroad.
Fans called her the Nightingale of Sri Lanka for her high-pitched, harmonious voice in Sinhala cinema’s golden era.
Her music, including over 10,000 songs, continues to inspire generations.
Final Arrangements
Her body lay at a Borella funeral parlour from 3:00pm on December 28 for public respects.
Final rites occurred at Borella General Cemetery on December 31, 2025, after tributes at Independence Square.
