The final rites of veteran singer Mariazelle Goonetilleke will be held at 5.00 p.m. today (July 13) at the Borella General Cemetery, closing a career that spanned decades of Sri Lankan popular music.
Her remains were placed at a private funeral parlour in Borella, where members of the public were invited to pay their final respects from 8.00 a.m. until the afternoon. Goonetilleke passed away in the early hours of Friday (July 10) while receiving treatment for an illness at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila. She was 68.
Known for her signature Western-influenced pop and upbeat rhythms, Goonetilleke was a versatile and dynamic presence in the local music industry, blending fast-paced contemporary beats with local melodies. She remained a popular fixture on the concert stage throughout her career and drew a loyal following both in Sri Lanka and among overseas Sri Lankan communities.
Across an illustrious career she delivered a string of timeless hits, among them “Kandy Lamissi,” “Rahasai Sonduru Jeewe,” “Sihina Nelum Mal,” “Nelum Male Pethi Kadala,” “Kumaranane,” “Yowun Sihina Loke” and “Pahan Nowana Rayaka.” Fans and fellow artistes have paid tribute to a performer whose songs earned a lasting place in the hearts of listeners.
