Mudunkotuwa Munasinghe Arachchige Leelawathi Perera (; 18 October 1917 – 24 November 2000), popularly known by her stage name Wasantha Sandanayake, was a Sri Lankan singer, primarily worked as a playback singer in Sinhala film industry. She is often described as the female symbol in the Buddhist song tradition of Sri Lanka Music. Personal life She was born on 18 October 1917 in Randombe, Balapitiya as the second child in a family with seven siblings. Her father was Arnolis Perera from Uthuwankande, Kegalle and mother was Nilenthige Nani Nona. She had to move with his family due to the busy schedule of her father. Therefore, she educated from several schools such as Kegalu Balika Vidyalaya, Urapola Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Kollupitiya Jinaraja Vidyalaya. She has one elder brother Dharmadasa, two younger sisters – Kamala, Chandrawathi, and two younger brothers – Srimath and Dharmadasa. Elder brother Dharmadasa was married to popular Tower Hall actress Wimala Kantha. They have five children, including popular songstress Sujatha Aththanayaka, a renowned dance teacher, Ranjani Perera and a popular comedian and musician, Susil Perera. Chandraravathi was married to a station master at Nawalapitiya. Wasantha was married to Don Dharmapala Sandanayake, who was a Police constable. They got married on 10 November 1937. The couple had one son, Sarath and one daughter, Daya Hemantha. Sarath started education from St. Mary's College, Nawalapitiya and later to Mahabodhi Vidyalaya, Maradana. The daughter, Daya Hemantha was married to renowned artist Shanthi Abeysekera. The couple had two daughters, Supriya and Sadhana, both are popular singers. Sadhana is married to Nanditha Ranatunga, the son of veteran artists Dayarathna Ranatunga and Amara Ranatunga. Sarath is married to Karunawathi Perera and the couple has one son; Thushara Sanjaya. Career Since school times, she performed in school stage both singing and acting. After school times, she joined with Odian Disc Producers under the guidance of sister-in-law Wimala Kantha. She sang her first solo song Rudu Gathiyen Prane written by U. D. Perera and then Pujemi Buddhan Kusumena Nena for Karolis Label. Later she continued to sing many Buddhist devotional songs. After Odian label, she moved to the Columbia label and HMV Studios to record the songs. She sang the popular songs Kalyani Ganga Rajini, Nokiyama Eda Esala Mahe and Balanna Budu Samine during this period. She sang the songs Onna Puthe Oya Na Mala and Mage Dayabara Gemunu with her son Sarath. Due to the