“If you see your brother standing by the road

 

With a heavy load…

 

Try a little kindness…”

 

Sang Rohan and Ishan de Lanerolle in unison on Tuesday, 5th February 2013 at the main ballroom of “Waters’ Edge” starting off an evening’s entertainment for charity.

 

Kumar Sangakkara had publicized the causes which were the Ceylon  Deaf and Blind Schools in Ratmalana(established in 1912)  and Kaithady and “Bikes for Life”, a project to provide bicycles for families in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mankulam.  The show was managed by “Foundation for Goodness”, started in 1999 by Kushil Gunasekera and is  a charity sponsored by Mahela Jayawardena and supported by Kumar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The De Lanerolle brothers sang in beautiful deep harmony the hit song “Unchained Melody”.  This was followed by a change in tempo with the audience clapping along to 

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone…”

 

Then came the intermission ending with a bicycle bell as a symbol.  The Brothers wore full black suits and looked very smart as they sang,

 

“Love changes everything…

Love will never let you stay the same.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps the singing duo should vary their performance on stage with brighter costumes and maybe some action like dancing as visuals are important in a spectacle.

They also sang for Valentine’s Day the Englebert hit “The Eyes of Love”

 

Kumar Sangakkara then came on stage and explained that when they went up North, they found that children had the ability but not the facilities.  “For us a bike is for entertainment, but for them it is a Life Tool transporting them to school, to shops etc.  Originally there were 300 bikes but now we have collected 3000 bikes.”he said.

 

He said that in Seenigama, they built a Centre of Excellence with funds from the MCC and there is also a swimming pool donated by singer Bryan Adams.

 

 

 

 

 

“After the war ended in 2009, the “Foundation for Goodness” went up North every month and now 10,000 people have been helped.  But we have to build Trust between all Sri Lankans and the “Murali Harmony Cup” is one such event.”he said, adding, “It was hard work getting twenty teams together.”

 

“The children in the North and East are full of life.  They just need opportunity.  We need to build a country where there is equal opportunity for all.  It is the duty of all Sri Lankans.” said the cricketer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We give for various reasons but we can’t change the world.  However, we can bring about a change in the life of one family by gifting a bicycle.”concluded Kumar.

 

The De Lanerolle Brothers came back on stage and sang”Encores”, ending with two popular Olivia Newton John numbers and the audience clapped and sang along.

 

“Let me be there in your morning, let me be there in your night…

Let me take whatever’s wrong and make it right…”

 

 

 

Audience comments

 

 

Rev.Dhiloraj Canagasabey, Anglican Bishop of Colombo said, “I am the Chairman, Board of Trustees, School for Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana and part of the proceeds of tonight’s show will be for the school.  Besides, the De Lanerolle Brothers are close friends of mine and they invited us to be here.  I also like Sanga’s  idea of helping the war-affected areas through “Bikes for Life”.  I feel that it is something to be encouraged”

 

Soundarie David Rodrigo commented, “The De Lanerolle Brothers are always very entertaining.  Their music continues to appeal to everyone irrespective of age.”

 

Mano Chanmugam remarked, “Their singing is always welcome.  Very refreshing.  It’s nice to know that at my age I can still appreciate good music and song.  Besides, both voices were well matched.”

 

Jeeve Gabriel said, “I have always enjoyed listening to the Brothers from the time they appeared with their mother accompanying them on the piano in concert at the Lionel Wendt.”

 

Harshini Struys said, “The music was fabulous.  The Brothers sing their favourites of the music of the Sixties and Seventies and it is for a very worthy cause.”

 

Maryse Tissera observed, “It was a wonderful performance and the De Lanerolle Brothers kept our toes tapping.”

 

Singer Rukshan Perera added, “The De Lanerolle Brothers always do a classy act and it is lovely that they are supporting the charities.”