Angeline Gunathilake

Angeline Rachel de Lanerolle (; 23 December 1939 – 29 March 2019), popularly known as Angeline Gunathilake, was a Sri Lankan singer, primarily working as a playback singer in Sinhala film industry. Considered the Silver bell of Sinhala cinema, Gunathilaka worked on over 5000 playback songs in a musical career that spanned nearly six decades. She was an A-grade singer who graduated from Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

She died at the age of 79 while receiving treatment at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Personal life Angeline Gunathilaka was born on 23 December 1939 in Matara district, the seventh of ten siblings. She went to St. Mary's Convent Matara for primary education. The couple has 2 daughters. Her grandson, Imal Jude Malwattege, pursued a career in music.

On 29 March 2019, Gunathilaka died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Colombo. Her final rites were held at the General Cemetery Borella on Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m.

Singing career At the age of 8, Angeline joined the Radio Ceylon amateur program, and secured the second place in a musical talent show. After that, she studied music under maestro Sunil Santha.

Angeline started her singing career with the solo song Adara Ambare. While she performed on the Lamapitiya program, she attended a singing competition called Tharu Thenuma organized by Sri Murugan New Art Films. She won the competition and was selected for first playback singing. Her debut as a playback singer came with the film Sohoyuro screened in 1958.

She rose to prominence within a small period of time, where she met P. L. A. Somapala. He invited Gunathilaka to record songs under His Master's Voice label. She recorded songs with Chitral Somapala and Mohideen Baig for the 2500th Buddha Jayanthi commemoration. Along with Buddhist songs, she worked on many Christmas songs, which she sang together with C.T. Fernando under the influence of Marcelline Jayakody. She continued to gain popularity in the Sri Lankan music industry, where she started to play duets with Wally Bastian. She also sang virindu songs for the film Deyyange Rate.

On 23 August 2014, she performed a live concert at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

Playback singing filmography Angeline Gunathilaka worked on over 200 Sinhala films across six decades.

Year Film 1958 Sohoyuro 1958 Deiyyange Rate 1958 Daskama 1959 Gehenu Geta 1961 Suvineetha Laalani 1962 Sansare 1962 Suhada Divi Piduma 1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada 1963 Deepashika 1964 Sobana Sitha 1965 Sweep Ticket 1966 Senasuma Kothanada 1966 Athulweema Thahanam 1966 Kinkini Paada 1966 Seyawak Pasupasa 1966 Sudu Duwa 1966 Sanda Nega Eddi 1967 Hathara Kendare 1967 Ran Rasa 1969 Hari Maga 1969 Hathara Peraliya 1969 Surayangeth Sooraya 1969 Prawesamwanna 1969 Pancha 1970 Dan Mathakada 1970 Geetha 1970 Ohoma Hondada 1970 Suli Sulang 1971 Poojithayo 1971 Ran Onchilla 1971 Kathuru Muwath 1971 Hathara Denama Surayo 1971 Abirahasa 1972 Adare Hithenawa Dekkama 1972 Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya 1972 Sujeewa 1972 Ada Mehemai 1972 Lokuma Hinawa 1972 Ihatha Aathmaya 1973 Suhada Pethuma 1973 Thushara 1973 Hondama Welawa 1973 Sinawai Inawai 1973 Sunethra 1973 Hondai Narakai 1973 Daahakin Ekek 1973 Hondata Hondai 1974 Duleeka 1974 Kasthuri Suwanda 1974 Sheela 1974 Surekha 1974 Hadawath Naththo 1974 Kalyani Ganga 1974 Shanthi 1974 Onna Babo Billo Enawa 1974 Susee 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha 1974 Lasandaa 1974 Sahayata Danny 1974 Mehema Harida 1974 Wasthuwa 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek 1975 Obai Mamai 1975 Kaliyuga Kale 1975 Raththaran Amma 1975 Awa Soya Adare 1975 Sookiri Kella 1975 Siril Malli 1975 Mage Nangi Shyama 1975 Lassana Kella 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Gijulihiniyo 1975 Sooraya Soorayamai 1975 Ranwan Rekha 1975 Damayanthi 1975 Lassana Dawasak 1975 Sadhanaa 1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya 1975 Sangeetha 1976 Pradeepe Maa Wewa 1976 Kawuda Raja 1976 Waasana 1976 Gangaa 1976 Waanarayo 1976 Aasha 1976 Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai 1976 Onna Maame Kella Panapi 1976 Nilla Soya 1976 Adarei Man Adarei 1976 Nedeyo 1976 Ran Thilakaa 1977 Neelaa 1977 Sudu Paraviyo 1977 Hithuwakkarayo 1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thama 1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai 1977 Nilukaa 1977 Pembara Madhu 1977 Chin Chin Nona 1977 Hitha Honda 1977 Sajaa 1977 Chandi Putha 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa 1977 Maruwa Samaga Waase 1977 Tom Pachaya 1977 Niwena Ginna 1978 Sithaka Suwanda 1978 Vishmaya 1978 Madhuwanthi 1978 Shri Pathula 1978 Aasha Desin 1978 Kundala Keshi 1978 Tikira 1978 Sally 1978 Durga 1978 Apsara 1978 Deepanjali 1978 Apeksha 1978 Kumara Kumariyo 1979 Samanmali 1979 Geheniyak 1979 Jeewana Kandulu 1979 Hingana Kolla 1979 Monara Thenna 1979 Eka Hitha 1979 Rosa Mal Thunak 1979 Akke Mata Awasara 1979 Sawudan Sema 1979 Subhani 1979 Visihathara Peya 1980 Mal Kekulu 1980 Tak Tik Tuk 1980 Seetha 1980 Doctor Susantha 1980 Raja Dawasak 1980 Sankhapaali 1980 Sabeetha 1982 Mihidum Sihina 1981 Ranga 1981 Eka Dawasak Rae 1981 Geethika 1981 Jeewanthi 1981 Bangali Walalu 1982 Thana Girawu 1982 Sudu Ayya 1982 Pethi Gomara 1982 Sanasanna Maa 1982 Sitharaa 1982 Thakkita Tharikita 1982 Newatha Hamuwemu 1982 Miss Mallika 1982 Ran Mini Muthu 1983 Sandamali 1983 Sumithuro 1983 Menik Maliga 1983 Loku Thaththa 1983 Mal Madhu 1983 Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai 1984 Hitha Honda Kollek 1984 Bambara Patikki 1984 Namal Renu 1984 Hadawathaka Wedana 1984 Birinda 1984 Jaya Sikurui 1985 Raththaran Kanda 1985 Channai Kello Dennai 1985 Rosy 1985 Kirimaduwel 1986 Mal Warusa 1986 Prarthana 1986 Peralikarayo 1986 Gimhane Gee Naade 1986 Jaya Apatai 1986 Dinuma 1987 Yugayen Yugayata 1988 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1988 Raja Wedakarayo 1988 Obatai Priye Adare 1988 Rasa Rahasak 1988 Chandingeth Chandiya 1988 Amme Oba Nisa 1988 Newa Gilunath Ban Chun 1988 Satana 1989 Mamai Raja 1989 Nommara 17 1989 Shakthiya Obai Amme 1989 Waradata Danduwam 1990 Jaya Shakthi 1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak 1990 Madhu Sihina 1990 Chandi Raja 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthe 1991 Asai Bayai 1991 Salambak Handai 1991 Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha 1991 Dhanaya 1992 Sakwithi Raja 1992 Sakkara Sooththara 1992 Sinha Raja 1992 Kiyala Wadak Na 1992 Sathya 1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya 1993 Sargent Nallathambi 1993 Sasara Saraisarana Thek Oba Mage 1993 Yasasa 1993 Soora Weera Chandiyo 1994 Raja Wansen Ekek 1994 Abhiyogaya 1995 Wasana Wewa 1995 Pudumai Eth Aththai 1995 Wairayen Wairaya 1995 Chandiyage Putha 1996 Mana Mohini 1996 Hitha Honda Geheniyak 1996 Bawa Sasara 1997 Soorayo Wedakarayo 1997 Vijayaggrahanaya 1997 Ragaye Unusuma 1998 Akkai Nangiyi 1998 Mohothin Mohotha 2001 Oba Koheda Priye 2001 Dinuma Kageda 2006 Double Game 2008 Hatha Denama Soorayo Remake 2008 Rosa Diganthe 2009 Sihina Dewuduwa 2017 Madhumali