Sooriya Records

The Sri Lankan music history is not as vibrant without mentioning the prestigious Sooriya records label. And It's my pleasure to announce the collaboration between Sri Lankan records and the Sooriya at the same time. During my recent visit to Sri Lanka I've met a passionate individual who's actually keen about the golden music era and promote the music history to the younger generation. He's non other than Udena Wickramasooriya, Son of the legendary music producer Gerald Wickramasooriya and the creator of prestigious Soorya Label.

I've spent lot of time with this passionate individual and we decided to do something together to achieve the same target.  As a result srilankanrecords.com and sooriya.lk will be sharing information in between sites and promote all record labels including Gramophone. This collaboration will enable bringing back the  history of Sri Lankan music starting from Gramophone Era to EP & LP.  I hope this will bring exciting news to all our listeners and readers.

THE SOORYIA LABEL
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‘The Children’s Bookshop’ originated based on an idea thrown at Gerald by his nephew who ran the famous bookstores K.V.G. De Silva & Sons. Whilst book stores of that era offered the reader the entire repertoire, Gerald focused purely on children’s books. The business soon expanded to include children’s records offering kids of all ages the combination of education & entertainment.

The Moonstones were the first band to record on the newly established Sooriya label in 1968, being introduced to Gerald by his son Netaji, whose friend Mangala Rodrigo was a member of the band. Sooriya’s first release “More Hits by The Moonstones” bearing catalogue number CHB001 went on to become an instant hit. Though released first, this was however the second contract signed with the band.
Songs of the first contract with The Moonstones were however released exactly after an year in 1969. The release not only brought Indrani Perera, the first solo artiste of Sooriya into the limelight through the evergreen hit “Dilhani” but also grossed the highest revenue record at the time.
In the process, the label created many a first in the country; the first LP produced in Sri Lanka: “The Sooriya Show” bearing catalogue number CHB LP 1, the first to blend traditional drum rhythms with a western orchestra: Sooriya pop orchestra combined with Pani Bharatha’s drummers for the first time at a Sooriya Show on August 22, 1971.