by:C. S. Poolokasingham  

SCOPP Deputy Secretary General remembers 

The late Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa, fondly known as ‘Master’, passed away at the age of 71 on October 24th at a private hospital in Colombo. He had been ailing for some time.
Recognising his contribution to the art world in Sri Lanka, the Government organised a funeral with state honours at Independence Square. Dr. Khemadasa’s remains were brought in a procession from his home in Rajagiriya, taking almost two hours to cover the short distance with many thousands of his followers accompanying the cortege.

I was asked to give the funeral oration in Tamil, having known and closely associated with Dr. Khemadasa and his family over the last 15 years. 

Dr. Khemadasa was responsible for launching a new era in Sri Lankan music, in much the same way as the likes of Mozart and Beethoven did in the European art world some centuries ago. He was most appreciated for his talent in composing Sinhala music, but his work in Tamil made a tremendous impact as well. Dr. Khemadasa wrote the score for three Tamil films that had record screenings in both India and Sri Lanka - Vasanthathil Oru Vanavill, Neelakadal Orathile and Melamkoddu Thalikaddu. Sri Lankans of all ethnicities will never forget his music composition for the hit peace song 'Venpura' (White Pigeon). 

When I was the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Austria, ‘Master’ was the chief guest at our function to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence. He composed Lord Buddha’s song ‘Parinirwana Mangalya’ for a renowned Vienna choir, and the European audience gave it an excellent reception.

It is only by producing more 'Khemadasas' that our younger generation can express the gratitude that we all feel at these magnificent achievements. The 'Khemadasa Padanama' or 'Khemadasa Foundation' is designed to do just that.

Everybody who gathered and spoke at the funeral highlighted the contribution made by ‘Master’ to Sri Lankan music. But I wanted to refer to another part of his life, for many people do not know how he yearned for peace in our country. He was very sad and worried during the JVP insurrections that saw many thousands of Sinhala youth die, and his feelings were equally deep when Tamil youth took to killing each other and the young men and women of the Armed Forces. He always said that our younger generation were destroyed. ‘Master’ was a true ambassador for peace.

As Maduluwa Sobitha Thero, chief incumbent of the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya, said at the seven day 'bana' at Dr. Khemadasa's home on October 30th, when we say 'Master' it is only for him, just as 'Mathini' is always for Prime Minister. I have lost a good friend, and the country has lost a top music composer and a person who could reach out across boundaries of ethnicity, language and age. Dr. Khemadasa died on the third Friday of October, which is an important Hindu religious day, and his remains were cremated on another important Hindu festival that is celebrated all over the world - Deepavali - implying that the doors of heaven are truly open for him.

by:C. S. Poolokasingham