Beloved Sri Lankan singer, musician and cultural icon, the late Visharad Dr. Nanda Malini, who made an invaluable contribution to Sri Lanka’s music industry, would have marked her 83rd birthday today (23).

She passed away at the age of 82 at her residence in Nawala on August 20, 2026.

Nanda Malini was born on August 23, 1943, in Lewwanduwa, Aluthgama.

She was first introduced to the popular radio programme “Lama Mandapaya,” conducted by renowned broadcaster Karunaratne Abeysekera.

Her rendition of the song “Budu Saadu” on the programme became immensely popular, opening a new chapter in her musical career.

Nanda Malini later received the opportunity to sing a duet with Narada Disasekara for the 1961 film “Ran Muthu Doova,” regarded as Sri Lanka’s first colour film. The film’s music was composed by the late Dr. Pandith W. D. Amaradeva.    

The song, “Galana Gangaki Jeewithe,” became her first film song and went on to achieve immense popularity.

Throughout her career, many of Nanda Malini’s songs became deeply cherished by Sri Lankan audiences.

Over several decades, she made an immeasurable contribution to Sri Lanka’s music industry and was honoured with numerous awards for her services to the arts.

Following her death, the Government declared a three-day period of national mourning from August 21 to August 23.

Her remains were placed at the Nanda Malani Sangeetha Ashramaya (Music Academy) located in Nawala, where large numbers of politicians, artists and members of the public gathered from across the country to pay their final respects.

Following religious rites held yesterday (22), her remains were taken in a funeral procession to the Borella Cemetery at around 3.30 p.m.

In accordance with her last will and testament, her remains were cremated without a formal ceremony.

Thus, after a remarkable musical journey spanning several decades, Dr. Visharada Nanda Malini bid a final farewell to the nation yesterday.