{"id":83778,"date":"2022-01-10T02:52:20","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T02:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=83778"},"modified":"2022-01-10T02:57:15","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T02:57:15","slug":"vale-desmond-de-silva-by-des-kelly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/vale-desmond-de-silva-by-des-kelly\/","title":{"rendered":"VALE’, DESMOND De SILVA \u2013 by Des Kelly"},"content":{"rendered":"

VALE’, DESMOND De SILVA \u2013 by Des Kelly<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

That’s life, as they say. The “Baila-King”, as he was famously known,\u00a0 has passed away in Melbourne, aged 77.<\/span><\/p>\n

To say that I was shocked to hear the news early this morning, would have to be the understatement of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

This same baila-king was supposed to be coming along to pay me a visit before heading back home to Sydney, and I was looking forward to it, then, this happens !!.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was both shocked and saddened by the news.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was not privileged to know Desmond in Ceylon because, when he began his professional showbiz career in our lovely Island home, I was already in Australia. I believe that one of the original “groups” he started off with, was called<\/span><\/p>\n

The Fireflies, followed by several other bands, before moving abroad. I did get to know Desmond much better, after he moved to Australia. I met him personally, at the home of another good friend of both Des. & I, Trevine Rodrigo, and immediately noticed the charismatic quality that this guy was so famous for. He looked so very young and charming in his happy demeanour, I could well see how he would attract especially the young ladies in his audiences, anywhere in the World, and I told him so.\u00a0 He laughed at my comment, as Trevine offered him another drink with which to “toast” this fact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desmond de Silva was someone that Sri Lanka should be very proud of. I knew nothing of his other achievements as a human being, nothing about his track record of helping kids with Autism, and other charitable acts that favored the needy, etcetera, all I knew was that, as an entertainer, he excelled in what he did, and I am very proud and privileged to have known him, and been his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

My sincere condolences go out to Phyllis, his partner, the rest of his family, friends and fans, around the Globe.<\/span><\/p>\n

That IS life, Desmond. May you now rest in eternal peace, and may the blessings of God engulf you.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Desmond Kelly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Editor-in-Chief eLanka<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

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\"Desmond<\/p>\n

\"Desmond
\n\"desmond<\/p>\n

May you Rest In Peace<\/span> – Mr. Desmond De Silva<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We will remember you forever!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

eLanka Team<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n