Dear Giriraj Kaushalya: get well soon

Past two years had been very disastrous for entertainment business due to Covid-19. Top personalities who were involved as entertainers, singers, composers, actors were compelled to give up their usual agendas because of the government rules and regulations in order curtail the spread of the deadly decease to protecct the people. Also their self-imposed absence for their own safety prevented them from exposing themselves to the public. As a result we have seen and heard in the media about the vulnerable situations and hardships that some of them are facing. It is not only them, but also the majority of the countrymen are suffering from unexpected calamities and economic downturn.

It is with great sorrow, I mention that the country lost so many important personalities who provided our countrymen and even overseas fans the much-needed relaxation and entertainment by their superlative music, singing, dancing, and acting.

For me the long list is headed by Sunil Perera of the Gypsies, who died at the age of 68 in September this year. I met him for the first time in 1988 as the Chairman of the dance committee of the ‘Forex Ball’, one time, one of the most sought after ‘Dances’ held in the country. The good-hearted Sunil, the versatile singer and musician entertained generations of Sri Lankans and his fans all over the world with captivating songs in his inimitable style along with his own histrionics. Also, won their hearts abd minds with his outspoken comments against social injustice, corruption, racism and suppression of democracy, risking his own life.

Some other popular and famous celebrities who left us during 2020 and this year were Tissa Wijesurendra (71), Jayalath Manoratne (71), Daya Tennakoon (78), Hyacinth Wijeratne (74 ), Miyuri Samarasinghe (81), Jayalal Rohana (56), Sarath Chandrasiri (57 years) Vishaka Siriwardana (64) (Regret if I have missed anyone)

Of the talented and active lot at present Giriraj Kaushalyais is somebody that I truly love to see in teledramas because of his extraordinary acting capabilities. However, it is unfortunate that in the recent past he has been out of our focus. In fact we are really missing him as “Gurunnanse” and “Kukula Mudalali” in the much entertaining teledramas of ‘Raja Guru’ and ‘Nadagamkarayo’. I am pretty sure that thousands of his other fans also must be feeling his absence.

Dear Giriraj, honestly, I was under the impression that you have gone out of the country. But sadly, I came to know from a close friend of mine who is involved in the sphere of drama that you are not well and will be out for a while. He told me that you have a great heart from which you are not reluctant to assist any new comers, colleagues and friends. In brief, gathering from what he told me and putting all that in a nutshell you are a ‘good and a sincere man’ or in other words a ‘Good Samaritan’. That is exactly why I am writing this. But I want you to know that thousands of your fans including me want you to have a speedy recovery. Others who do not know about your present situation will undoubtedly join me enmasse to wish the same. The ‘telepathic’ best wishes also cure people.

All of us have seen thousands of your smiles, humble appearances, anecdotes, jokes, and expect to see you back at the centre stage after a speedy recovery.

Wishing you some well-deserved good days ahead to make up for all the crummy ones at present. Take extra good care of yourself to be steadier, stronger and better every day.

As a Roman Catholic I will lift you up in my prayers during your hard times. Hope you get better and better every day. Please come back soon to be up to your ‘old tricks’ again of providing laughter and entertainment to all of us.

Get better and get back to your

amazing self soon!

God bless you and your family.

Lalith Fernando

Panadura