Man Behind the Music: Ananda Ganegoda and Singlanka

Ananda Ganegoda, a successful businessman from an industrialist family, dedicated his life to elevating Sri Lankan music to the highest standards of quality. In the late 1970s, he met pop singer Milton Mallawarachchi, which led him to become friends with many of the country's most celebrated artists. Concerned for the artistes' creative and financial independence, Ganegoda entered music production in 1980 without commercial ambition, aiming to serve the artists.

Singlanka, a cultural landmark whose logo graced countless cassette shelves and whose songs are ingrained in many Sri Lankans' memories, was founded on March 18, 1980. With a team consisting of legendary figures such as Clarence Wijewardana, Kularatna Ariyawansa, and Vijaya Ramanayake, Singlanka launched with 25 albums and established itself as the country's first studio producing eight-track recordings in Nugegoda.

Ganegoda's vision was to create a stable environment for the artists, allowing them to focus on their craft rather than financial concerns. Over the years, Singlanka produced numerous firsts in Sri Lankan music, including the first film soundtrack on cassette, the first live-recorded cassette, and the first album of classical instrumentals and songs.

Despite some setbacks, the majority of the artistes stayed with Singlanka, demonstrating their trust and admiration for Ganegoda's unwavering commitment to Sri Lankan music.