Sri Lanka mourns death of iconic singer

AGENCY: SEPT. 6 – Sri Lankan political leaders and citizens on Monday mourned the death of a local iconic singer, Sunil Perera, who died at a private hospital in Colombo earlier in the day after developing complications from the COVID-19 virus.

Perera, 68, died after developing pneumonia, just days after he was released from hospital and returned home after fighting COVID-19 infection.

His family said Perera was, however, rushed to hospital again on Sunday evening and was put under intensive care after developing complications.

Perera was the leader of a popular local band named “Gypsies” and had released many local hit songs which are played in gatherings in the country to this day.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in a statement on Twitter that Perera’s death was a great loss for Sri Lanka’s entertainment scene, and expressed his condolences to Perera’s family, friends, and the people of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the entertainment arena in Sri Lanka would not be the same following Perera’s passing and the musician will be remembered forever through his music.

Several other politicians, experts, athletes, journalists, and citizens also took to social media to offer their condolences and shared fond memories of the singer.