IN MEMORIAM- OLD XAVERIAN NOEL PERERA

(23rd Aug 1953-8th Oct 2022)

I think Old Xaverian and our friend Noel Perera well deserves a few lines from us as his demise has caused a void in our hearts.

Born on the 23rd August 1953, Noel Perera commenced his primary education at Good Shepherd Convent and attended St Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya. Apart from education and sports, his forte was music. He emerged Table Tennis Champion many times representing the College and the CYO in the late 70’s.

The influence of Church music at St Xavier’s and the initiation of Rev.Fr.Joseph Rodrigo (PP and Rector of St Xavier’s College) in 1910 has promoted western music in the city of Nuwara Eliya, and has produced a number of talented musicians who add colour and rhythm to the tired minds. Noel Perera whom we call “Noel Aiya” was one such creative musicians who has introduced a few originals to the showbiz.

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When the writer contacted him sometimes back, he mentioned that he owes so much to his teachers; Mr.Fonseka, Mrs Anula Siriwardene and Mrs.Laddis who were his mentors at St Xavier’s College, and he cherished their tutelage and the days at College.

The school take over and the subsequent re-structuring of the school system compelled him to leave St Xavier’s College in 1972, and he lamented of this unnecessary shift.

With the guidance of his elder brother Kalabushana Paul Perera who was a contemporary of the late Jewel Gunathilake, the late Ananda Gunathilake, Cecil Palpola, Maninda Ranaweera and the late Albert Thomasz( who has had a great influence on the career of veteran musician Rohana Weerasinghe), Noel Perera emerged as a promising musician in 1977 where he became a part of the Celebrated Beat Band Rubicons.

With the passage of time Noel became a key member of the Band. Due to employment outside Nuwara Eliya and migration of Cecil Palpola, the Rubicons spent a silent period in the 90’s.

Once again in 1994 these musicians brought colour and light to the guests of leading hotels including the Grand Hotel and St Andrew’s hotel when they teamed up as the “Creations” Calypso band under the leadership of Noel Perera providing acoustic live music with guitars and bongo drums .

During this time, due to popular demand by regular European guests, the band produced their first ever Cassette “ Popular hits of Sri Lanka” that was offered free of charge to the guests. With due credit to the original artists, the cassette carried covers of Desmond de Silva, Victor Ratnayake and Rukantha Gunathilake with improvised ear soothing singing with harmonising and light acoustic music.

Welcome to Srilanka-Original hit of the band, Thotupala Ainey, Kimada Nawe, Sanasen nalawen, Maw Lanka, Kaley Ukule Thiyala, Lanka Sri Lanka, Yanna Rata wate, Me sihina mawathe, Surangani, Wasanthaye-Original hit were recorded by Recording engineer Roshan de Silva. The band comprised Paul Perera, Noel Perera, Shaky Fernando, Robert, and Prince Fernando, all blessed with the talent of music.

The band had the distinction of performing in Germany in 1993, 1994, and in 1998 promoting tourism in Sri Lanka which was admired and rewarded.

Noel Perera did not stop there, he went on to produce his maiden CD with 10 original hits: Nethaganura- Lyrics by Hemasiri Halpita and Music by Sarath de Alwis, Ma Thaama naha Lyrics by Hemasiri Halpita and Music by Sarath de Alwis, Salaanuwan Lyrics by Hemasiri Halpita and Music by Sarath de Alwis, Shehani Lyrics by Shelton Hettiarachchi and Music by Noel Perera, Wasanthaya Lyrics by Old Xaverian Rohan Ranaweera and Music by Noel Perera, Perada oba ma Lyrics by Hemasiri Halpita and Music by Sarath de Alwis, Naw kutiye Lyrics by Shelton Hettiarachchi and Music by Noel Perera, Perada hamuwee Lyrics by Rohan Ranaweera and Music by Noel Perera, Eay Eda Lyrics by Sunil Vithana and Music by Noel Perera, and Eay Dangakake Lyrics by Rohan Ranaweera and Music by Noel Perera. The CD was produced in Germany using the latest technology and was available for sale.

Neol Pera’s 2nd CD was released in 2007 and it comprised 14 songs: Wasanthaya Lyrics by Old Xaverian Rohan Ranaweera, Tharu ath akurin Lyrics by Old Xaverian Rohan Ranaweera, Manike Lyrics by Wilson Gunaratne, Punchi Guruthumi Lyrics by Old Xaverian Rohan Ranaweera, Asawan Dine Lyrics by Sunil Withane, Yasasa laba Lyrics by P.S.K.Ratnayake, Duwa Chayani lyrics by Sarath Wimalawardene, Sandu Sipagannata Lyrics by P.S.K.Ratnayake, Nuwara Eliye lyrics by P.S.K.Ratnayake, Edath Obata lyrics by Rohan Ranweera, Oba mage langin lyrics by Rohan Ranaweera, Nuwan Neth yuga lyrics by Inoka Wickramasinghe, Epa Sihinaya lyrics by Shelton Hettiarachchi. Music direction for all these songs were done by Noel Perera himself. Music for the entire work was provided by Old Xaverian K.V.Susantha Kumara and the late Shanil Ariyaratne who have been students of the writer. He appreciated the assistance of his contemporaries including Maninda Silva.

Noel Perera appreciated the support given by his wife Kusum Perera and called her a tower of strength in his career. He mentioned about his son who is domiciled in Australia and daughter who is on to her own business in Kandy.

He appreciated the continuous work carried out by the St Xavier’s OBA since 1947, but regretted for not being able to be a part of OBA projects due to his absence from Nuwara Eliya. When questioned about his plans he said that he was involved in music in Kandy, and sated that he looked forward to the OBA 75th Anniversary to see all Old Xaverian musicians back on the same stage soon.

Old Xaverian Noel Perera leaves his beloved wife, his loving children and friends and has joined his bandsmen Albert Thomasz, Mahinda Ranaweera, Jewel Gunathilake, Ananda Gunathilake, Chrishanthus Nanayakkara, Lionel, Sena Pathirana, Julian Packeer and Tony Packeer to sing along with angels in heaven.

May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory

Benjamin Jeganathan and Nilan de Zoysa.

Jt. Secretaries

St Xavier’s College -OBA

11th Oct 2022