Legendary musician Dr. Victor Rathnayake was felicitated during the Yuga Dahan concert held in Melbourne on 2 October.
The musician received an honorary award from Australian MP Jason Wood, who has also been the Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs since June.
The Yuga Dahan concert series is currently taking place in Australia, with a show in Sydney on 14 October, Brisbane on 16 October, and Adelaide on 22 October. In addition to Dr. Victor Rathnayake, Visharad Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris and Visharad Jagath Wickramasinghe are also performing at what is the biggest concert series for the Sri Lankan community in Australia this year.
According to the organisers, Dr. Rathnayake is taking part in the Yuga Dahan concert after four years. The musician is known for hits like Pem Rasa Wehena, Neela Bingu Kela, Adaraye Ulpatha Wu Amma, and Thotupola Ayina.
His first recorded song as a professional singer is Devangana Paradana Komala Katha, written by Piyasena Kosta and composed by R.A. Chandrasena. The song aired on radio for the first time on 6 July 1963. In 1973, Dr. Rathnayake held his first concert “SA”.