Sri Lanka, Feb. 25 -- Veteran Kandyan dancer Peter Surasena has passed away at the age of 85.

He had been receiving treatment for a short illness and passed away this morning.

A prominent figure in Sri Lanka's traditional dance scene, he contributed to the Sri Dalada Perahera for 50 years. Born on January 13, 1940, in Aruppala, Hanguranketha, Kandy, he began learning Kandyan dance at the age of eight.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hiru News....