16th June 2012 would be a remarkable day for the Sri Lankan music loving public  with the arrival of the  legends who belong to the golden era of the 60s, 70s and 80s to the picturesque Lotus Pond for the very first time.

“Salute to the Roots of Sri Lankan Music” is the brain child of Rajiv Sebastian who is known as the “concept factory” for his creativity in presenting star studded events such as Tribute to Clarence, Back to the 70s, 70s to the Millennium, 5 Star Explosion, Calypso Carnival, The Return of Desmond and the Clan, The Legends of Sri Lankan Pop and Desmond & Dezmond.

This musical extravaganza unfolds the history of Sri Lankan music with a rare combination of classics, calypso, pop and kaffirinya featuring the most senior female vocalists who celebrates 75 years in showbiz, Vivian de Silva Boralessa (Dura Penena Thenithala), Latha Walpola, Ishaq Beig son of late Mohideen Beig , (Parama Ramanee, Welle Kiri Welle, Pem Mal Mala), Tashni Perera paying tribute to the late Rukmani Devi, Annesley Malawana (Moonstones / Super Golden Chimes) Anil Bhareti (Golden Chimes) and Rajiv Sebastian bringing back memories of Sri Lankan Pop originated by the legendary Clarence Wijewardane.

Errol Fernando, brother of Neville Fernando of Los Cabellaros (Gayana Geyum, Sandak Negi), Noel  Ranasinghe of La Ceylonians (Daha Duka Windala, Tharuna Jeewithe), Priya Peiris of La Bambas (Kale Ukule Thiyala, Cock a Doodle Doo), Raymond Fonseka of Samanalayo (Nelawena Maw Ukule) and Christine Goonawardene (Ruwan Mali) will team up as one Calypso band for the very first time on stage.

While Vernon Perera pays tribute to the most popular Sri Lankan singer the late H.R. Jothipala (Durakathanayakin, Gangawai Maha Muhudai,) the best Sri Lankan Entertainer ever the legendary Desmond de Silva will be flown all the way from Australia after a lapse of 3 years to handle the dual role of the late Eddie Jayamanna (Kolompure Shriya, Lapati Rupe Egay) and the god father of Sri Lankan Kaffirinya the late Wally Bastian (Irene Josephine, Banjo Rabane, yaman bando ).
    
Most interestingly all artists would be performing medleys to accommodate most of their popular hits towards their fans and “Roots of Srilankan music ” would be an exclusive event and will have no repeats .

This event filled with nostalgic memories of the past would be choreographed by Gayani Karunaratne and presented by the legendary Emcee Vijaya Corea.  The producer, Rajiv Sebastian vows to use the maximum advantage of the collapsible stages at Nelum Pokuna to give the audience their monies worth. While footage of the legends that made immense contribution towards Sri Lankan music would be featured on a huge video wall, Rajiv and the Clan led by Rajiv Sebastian will take the challenge of regenerating the music of yesteryear.