ITN Pays Tribute To Wally Bastiansz - Waada Baila Tribute
4,640 views · Published 10 July 2011 · 2:55 · Indexed 23 September 2026
Channel: goonewj · 2011 · Entertainment
Wally Bastiansz bade his last farewell to his fans and the music world in 1985. It is really sad to say that he never received any recognition for the revolution he made in Sinhala music by the introduction of Baila to Sri Lanka nor received any tribute by the media all those years. On the 10th July 2011, after 26 years, ITN presented the first ever tribute programme for the legend. Well done ITN!! Better late than never !!! I was not able to record the programme, but was able to record some songs. Hope you can enjoy them. Wellington Mervyn Bastian aka Wally Bastiansz is the god father of Sinhala Baila, who brought Kaffrigna to the fore. By profession he was a police officer who played in the police band during the 1940s. It is said that he had been given special permission to attend musical events by then prime minister Sir John Kotelawala. Wally also played Banjo, Violin and the Spanish Guitar. His music style was later followed by many other successful Baila singers such as Anton Jones, M. S. Fernando, Desmond De Silva, Saman De Silva. His popular songs include, Irene Josephine, Yaman Bando, Nondi Simaiya, Mathakai Amme, Nurse Nona, Hai Hooi Babi Archchi, Le Kiri Karala and Ratak Watinawa. (Source : Google + Other)
