known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan 'baila' music, which was a style whose origins are in Portuguese and Spanish music. He had a string of baila hits including: Polkatu Hande, Chuda Manike, Mamma No, Miss Sri Lanka, Rajasangabo, Komali Pane as well as popular recordings of anonymous Baila songs. He was also known for a whole range of 'Party Time' non-stop Baila music. De Silva resided in London and performed with London-based backing group Foreign Affairs in the United Kingdom. De Silva championed the cause of autism spectrum disorders: in August 2005 he was the first Sri Lankan musician to appeal on behalf of autistic children and people with autism in Sri Lanka, urging Sri Lankans to 'speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.' De Silva received a standing ovation. He was also a film background singer where he also sang the songs of the film Seetha Devi as well as the baila songs of the films Samanmalee and Mage Amma. He turned to Baila singing because of Wally Bastiansz. De Silva, who became a fan of Wally, one day invited him to his house. He sang some of his songs on the guitar that day and recorded them from his home recorder. Since then, he sang many of Bastiansz' songs such as Yaman bando, and Hai Hui baby Achchi. De Silva also sang record songs and Nadagam songs such as Raja Sangabo Hisa De Dugiyata, Muni Nandana Siripada, Panamure Eth Raja, Amba Damba Naran, Budubawa Pathana Vesathuru Nirinda. In 1986, De Silva moved to England. On 7 June 2003, he performed in a sold out concert at BMICH titled 'Desmond Live in Concert'. He launched the first ever Concert for Autism for Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia on 31 March 2006. Personal life and death Desmond De Silva married Deanna De Zilwa and they had two sons and a daughter. Eldest son Steve was a Singer/Dancer whose untimely death In a private hospital was due to cancer. He left behind his daughter Megan who has now being adopted by Derrick & Renuka Fernando. His second marriage in 1998 was to Dr. Lilamani Wijeratne. Desmond met and married his third Wife Phyllis Van Houten who he said was the love of his life in Sydney Australia where he has resided for the past 12 years. Desmond & Phyllis were in Melbourne Australia where he performed