Raju Bandara


Raju Bandara was a Sri Lankan musician and singer. Starting as a guitarist, Bandara became one of the most influential singers in the Sri Lankan pop music industry in early 1990s and continued in a career spanning more than four decades.

Background

Raju Bandara was born on 14 April 1960 in Kegalle, Sri Lanka, as the fifth child of the family with nine siblings. His grandfather D.C. Kodithuwakku, was a lecturer on tabla playing at the Heywood Aesthetic Center. His mother, Chandra Bandara, was a Grade A singer at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. His mother's brother, Premnath Kodithuwakku, was also a musician and tabla player who worked extensively in the Sinhala film music industry.
He had three elder brothers, one elder sister, two younger brothers and two younger sisters. Mahinda Bandara is also an accomplished musician and guitarist who excelled in a career for about four decades. Mahinda is married to fellow singer Dhammika Walpola, the daughter of the Sri Lankan music singers Latha Walpola and Dharmadasa Walpola. Dhammika's brothers, Amith, Suneth and Chaminda, are also musicians.
Bandara completed his education from Kegalu Vidyalaya where he did mathematics for the GCE Advanced Level Examination. During school he engaged in many musical competitions.
He was married to Sandya Kumari, who is a teacher. The couple had two daughters: Viloshini, Gaya and one son: Ramithu.

Career

After completing his school education in 1976, Bandara made the musical band "Blue Shadows" with school friends. Then he joined the musical band "Super Jades" led by Ananda Perera. In 1978, Bandara joined the band "Nayagra" led by Rookantha Gunathilake as the lead guitarist. He continued to play in the band until 1982 and made continuous shows in Kurunegala and Habarana hotels. Then in 1985, he along with Rookantha formed the band "Madhārā" with fellow musician Clarence Wijewardena and later with the band "The Universe" in 1987 and traveled to countries like England and France. After few months, Gunathilake went abroad and Bandara also quit the band.
However, at the invitation of Stanley Peiris, he later joined the band "Fortunes" where his elder brother Mahinda has played. In the band, Bandara started to play as the rhythm guitarist, as his brother is playing the lead guitar. He performed in the band for many years along with his brother and fellow musician Keerthi Pasquel. At that time, he was also employed at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo. In 1993, he sang his first solo song "Ma Adarei Mulu Lowatath Wada" in his debut album "Man Aadere Ran Seenu". He later made the popular hits such as: "Kawudo Mage Lowe Serisaruwe" and "Ran Seenu Nada De". He later collaborated with his friend Rookantha to make the popular duet: "Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai".
During the early 1990s, Bandara established himself as a solo artist and started to dominate the outdoor musical shows for more than a decade, where he sang the songs: "Kanduḷæli Dǣsē", "Oya Rū Sōbā", "Hada Wēdanāva", "Rōsa Mal Kumārī" and "Ran Malak". Meanwhile, he also performed as the guitarist in the original solos "Bambara Pahasa" and "Anātha Māruthē" sung by Rookantha. Bandara made the duet "Hada Gī Pothē" with his mother, became popular among the public.
Apart from the musical career, Bandara acted in Asoka Handagama's television serial Diya Keta Pahana, and played the critically acclaimed role "Deepthi", where he was nominated for Best Emerging Actor in that year. In 2009, he joined the musical reality program Sirasa Superstar as one of the three judges in season 2 and 3.
As a teacher, Bandara started the music academy "Raj Music Centre". In 2019, he released the solo song, "Mage Hitha Hadagena". In 2022, he made a cameo role in the television serial Divithura. In 2024, he released his final solo album titled "Dannawada Oya".

Illness and death

Bandara had been ill for about three years due to a kidney ailment. He also underwent kidney transplant surgery in 2024. However, he had to take continuous medication from the hospital since then.
Bandara died at his residence in Ragama, on 15 January 2026, at the age of 65, after suffering from prolonged kidney disease. His remains were kept in a private funeral parlor in Borella on 16 January for public respect from 10am. The final rites were held on 17 January 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Kanatte Cemetery.