Rohana Weerasinghe

Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe (born 18 February 1949) is a Sri Lankan musician, composer and singer.

Early life Weerasinghe was born on 18 February 1949 in Algiriya, Matara in southern Sri Lanka. He was the youngest child to his parents Henry Weerasinghe and Sepalin Weerasinghe. In 1954, Weerasinghe started schooling from Good Shepard Family Convent in Nuwara Eliya, and later moved to Vidyachakra Buddhist School Ruwan Eliya, Welimada Maha Vidyalaya, Pannipitya Dharmapala Vidyalaya and Gamini Maha Vidyalaya Nuwara Eliya.

In 1977, Weerasinghe married to Leela Beatrice De Silva, a dancing teacher in profession. They had two sons, Kalindu Gajaba and Chirath Kanishka.

Music Weerasinghe learnt the basics of music from K.V.S Perera Kithsiri Aluthge. He was able to enter the Government Music School of Sri Lanka for further studies in Oriental Music by mastering Sitar. Later he joined maestro Premasiri Khemadasa as a Sitar player in his Orchestra. Weerasinghe became a key Sitar player for music concerts of prominent Singers in Sri Lanka such as Victor Ratnayake's Sa, Nanda Malini's Shrawana Aradhana and Sanath Nandasiri's Swarna Kundala.

Weerasinghe taught music in D. S. Senanayake College, Senananda Maha Vidyalaya Meepilimanna and Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte as a government music teacher. In 1982, he joined "Sing Lanka" studios as a Sound Engineer. At that time, he composed T. M. Jayaratne's Ekasitha dethanaka, Hiruta Horen and Neela Wickramasinghe's Punchi Sithe Punchi Sina which became popular songs in Sri Lanka.

So far he has created melodies for over 8000 songs, which includes films, teledramas, stage plays.

Weerasinghe has been the Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka in Cultural and Aesthetic Affairs since 2006.

He held the concert "Adaraneeya Rohana" at the BMICH on 14 December 2024.

Notable performances Live performances of Ransara Dahara at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2004 Rohana Ransara performed at Sydney Opera House in 2006 Live performance at Millennium Dome, London in 2008

Awards Year Award Title Production 1982 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Aaradhana 1987 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Aadara Hasuna 1991 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya 1991 SIGNIS Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya 1991 Swarnasankha Best Music Director Saharave Sihinaya 1994 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Saptha Kanya 1994 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Madara Parasathu 1994 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Madara Parasathu 1998 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Seilama 1999 Sarasaviya Best Music Director Veesidela 2003 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Me Mage Sandai 2007 Presidential Awards Best Music Director Anjalika 1982 Vijaya Rupavahini Awards Best Music Director Rekha 1983 Vijaya Rupavahini Awards Best Music Director Sudu saha kalu 1992 SIGNIS Best Music Director Dunhinda addara 1994 Sumathi Awards Best Music Director Sankranthi Samaya 1998 Sumathi Awards Best Music Director Vilambeetha 2002 SIGNIS Best Music Director Gajaman Nona 2008 Raigam Awards Best Music Director Rala Bindena Thena 1990 Rasa Awards Best Music Director Thala mala pipila 1991 Rasa Awards Best Music Director Maghatha 1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Song Sandapanak se awidin 1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Song Ranmalak Lesa 1997 Rasa Awards Most Popular Music Director in Sri Lanka N/A 2004 Government Drama Award Special Recognition N/A 2009 Eagle Insurance Eagle Awards of Excellence N/A

Publications Lankika Sangeethayei Rohana Lakuna – Rohana Icon in Sri Lankan Music, Edited by Ravi Siriwardhana and Samudhra Wettasinghe, 2002 Gaman Magak – Along a Winding Path, Biography of Rohana Weerasinghe, 2009