Indonesian Ambassador lauds SL’s first ever visually handicapped band

Sri Lanka’s first ever western music pop outfit comprising the visually handicapped ‘Bright Light’ was launched last Saturday at a simple ceremony at the MJF Foundation auditorium under the auspices of the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.

The 12-member band is being trained by Melantha Perera, well known, versatile musician, music teacher and leader of the band ‘Black Jackets.’

Ambassador Tobing addressing the gathering said that she was highly impressed with the immense talent on display and the performance of the young musicians. The young musicians should go a long way as a well knitted band, if they are well nurtured, she said.

She assured all support and encouragement for the young music outfit and invited the band to perform at one of the Indonesian Embassy organized event end of June promising to encourage the group to

play the popular Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument ‘Anglung.’ and provide all assistance in that regard and present the band with some of those instruments.

Melantha said that during the pandemic he conducted free online lessons to these young men and women and later trained them at the MJF Foundation.

‘They are immensely talented and what they need is proper guidance and training and I am happy to see that my efforts are bearing fruit, and soon they will perform as a commercial band, he said.

The event was was made possible by the MJF Centre for Community Community Service and Nihal Jayasuriya, President Sri Lanka Indonesia Frienship Association, Ms Felicia Sallay and Samath Fernando.

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Members of ‘Bright Light’ the music makers: Samudra Gamage Dinesh Premakumara Randi Prarthana Theekshana Rasindu Ravichandran Jonathan Sandun Kalhara Akila Dilshan Rashini Sneha Chathruka Nipun Tharindu Lakshan Susum Navoda and Sethani Madugalle

Indonesian Ambassador Tobing performing to the music of ‘Bright Lights’

By Harishchandra Gunaratna