දීපාල් සිල්වා
8 songs performed
Deepal Silva (දීපාල් සිල්වා), who performed under the stage name Podi Lamaya, was a Sri Lankan comic singer and stage actor known for satirical songs about everyday Sri Lankan life. His best-remembered number, “Ea Rate Minissu” (with its line “thanikara kelinne pissu”), made him a fixture of outdoor musical shows from the 1990s onward.
Deepal Silva was born on 20 November 1967 in Pinkanda, Dodanduwa, in southern Sri Lanka. He studied at Pinwatte Primary School and Baddegama schools before completing his advanced levels at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa. He entered the theatre world in 1990, first appearing in stage dramas as a supporting actor.
Deepal Silva built his name through comic and satirical songs that poked fun at social habits, drink, and small-town life, a register that set him apart from straight playback singers. On stage he became widely identified with the character Sergeant Nallathambi, a role he took on following the death of the comedian Nihal Silva, keeping the character alive for theatre audiences.
Among his most popular recordings are “Ea Rate Minissu” and “Maduruvanta Purudu Karamu” (“maduruwanta enna kiyamu mal peni bonna”), both staples of his live sets. His catalogue of humorous songs is part of a comedy tradition that has stayed in circulation through stage revivals and audio collections.
After a long break from drama work, Deepal Silva returned to the stage in 2015 with the production “Security Sinnathambi,” which drew large audiences. A keen cricket follower, he was known to turn down shows that clashed with matches. He died on 14 January 2017 at Ragama Hospital, aged 49. His comic songs, “Podi Lamaya” persona, and the Nallathambi role remain his lasting mark on Sri Lankan popular stage entertainment.
Every Sinhala lyric, composition, and song credit by Deepal Silva.