Saman Chandranath Weerasinghe

Saman Chandranath Weerasinghe (5 July 1947 – 15 February 2022: සමන් චන්ද්‍රනාත් වීරසිංහ), was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Considered one of the most iconic and prolific lyricists ever produced in the country, he contributed to more than 2,000 songs in a career that spanned more than five decades.

Personal life He was born on 5 July 1947 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. His father Wimal Weerasinghe was an Editor-in-Chief of Lankadeepa newspaper. He studied science subjects at the Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa in English medium.

His brother Bharathi Weerasinghe is also a journalist and creative writer.

Weerasinghe died on 15 February 2022 at the age of 74 while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital for a longtime prevailing illness. His remains were initially kept at the ‘Restpect’ Jayaratne Parlour in Borella from 10 am and later moved to his residence No. 60, Fonseka Road, ‘Lakshapathiya’, Moratuwa. The funeral was held at 4 pm on 17 February 2022 at the Borella Cemetery.

Career As a child, he wrote the short story Tikiri Kathawak with a plot where the protagonist commits suicide amidst an anxious question that thieves have broken into the bitter gourd vine that he has planted in his field. He first wrote a poetry called 'Piyaa Putha' for the Lankadeepa newspaper. After that he wrote a play for 'Rasavahini' magazine. Mahanama Dissanayake intervened and published this play as four or six parts in Rasavahini magazine.

Later he held a number of positions in the Dinamina newspaper too. He was also the Vice President of the Songwriters' Forum, which was formed in the early 1990s. He was involved in a trade union struggle under the Intellectual Property Act and was the feature editor and co-editor of 'Silumina' newspaper. He was the Consultant Editor of Dinamina and a sub editor of Janatha newspapers at the time of retirement.

His first lyrics broadcast on the radio was a patriotic song titled "Muthuketa Mathuwuna Maha Sayurai" which was sung by C.L. Fonseka to music by Rohitha Wijesuriya. Veteran singer Malini Bulathsinhala enters the field as a solo singer with the song written by Weerasinghe, titled "Sanda Madale Sita" which was included in a radio drama. Saman-Sarath duo then made several collaborative works for more than two decades which include the popular song "Hima Renu Watena".

Notable lyrics Weerasinghe wrote more than 2,000 lyrics for singers across several generations.

Bidak Redi Asan Biduwak Iwasa Bindu Bindu Chandani Payala Rathriye Ganga Diyawel Gala Gauthama Budu Guna Hathara Watin Kalukaragena Hima Renu Vetena Kavikariye Sindu Kiyana Kiyay Mihiri Katha Kovula Amathanu Na Lassanai Adare Latha Madullak Katha Karanwa Mata Thani Na Midule Mal Sooriyagaha Monalisa Nambara Goyamata Nav Negala Awidin Peli Peli Ganu Lamai Randu Wewi Yalu Wewi Samakoni Thrikonayaki Sandaleka Sanda Madale Sita Sanduni Ai Sudu Kopul Sathara Vatin Kalukaragena Sithaka Kohe Thibunado Sodura Mata Samu Denna Sudu Rosai Muhuna Pura Valuka Kathare Waadakayaneni Warusawe Walakulu