Sri Lanka, April 27 -- Veteran singer Saman De Silva passed away this morning (27), at the age of 69.

Family members stated that he had been unwell for some time and passed away at the John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital.

De Silva was beloved by Sri Lankan music fans for numerous songs, including "Niyare Piyanagala," "Punchi Kurulu Kuduwe," "Santhosa Wenna Preethiwenna," and "Purahanda Naguna."

He was also a former president of the Singers' Association and served as the national organiser of the United National Party's Arts Forum.

Having entered the music industry in 1975, Saman de Silva entertained audiences in Sri Lanka for over four decades through his songs.

An alumnus of Nalanda College, Colombo, Saman de Silva holds the...