12 Facts About Lionel Algama

Algama Koralalage Lionel Kumaradasa Perera, popularly known as Lionel Algama was a Sri Lankan singer, composer and a musician.

Lionel Algama was born on 24 March 1935 in Brandiamulla, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.

Lionel Algama's father Jinadasa Perera, was a rich landowner in Kurunegala who ran a trading business.

Lionel Algama first went to school at Brandiamulla Church in Gampaha and then studied at Veyangoda Central College.

Lionel Algama's grandfather worked as the manager of the Kahatagaha mine owned by Sir John Kotelawala.

Lionel Algama was married in 1963 to Sheila Olga Patricia Perera, a resident of Gampaha.

Lionel Algama was fluent in English, Vanga and Hindi languages.

In 1964, Lionel Algama made his maiden cinema music direction with the film Patachara directed by Wimalanath Dissanayake.

Apart from cinema, Lionel Algama composed several school anthems for Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, Ratnawali Girls' College and Thurstan College.

Lionel Algama became the chief Examiner of Music, in both theory and practical at the Faculty of Aesthetic Education, University of Kelaniya and later served as a supervisor in music, Ministry of Education in the Republic of Maldives from 1983 to 1984.

Between 1979 and 1980, Lionel Algama performed for BBC London, ITV London, Manchester, Birmingham Camden Centre London, WCI, Commonwealth Institute of London, Bharathiya Vidya Bhawan Institute of Indian Culture London.

Lionel Algama wrote two theses for his doctorate: Teaching of Music and Development of the Chordophones in East and West in the years 1978 and in 1979 respectively.