M. L. D. S. Priyadarshi Suriyasena Liyanage (Sinhala:ප්‍රියා සූරියසේන: born 27 October 1949), popularly as Priya Suriyasena, is a Sri Lankan singer. Priya first emerged as a talented local singer with the guidance of his father, who was a poet, and then rose to fame overnight when his first four songs were broadcast at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in 1970's. Since then he has retained his fame over five decades and produced most popular songs in Sri Lanka such as Atha Ranviman, Mata Wasana, Adaraneeya Neranjana, Ratakin Eha and Sudu Paravi Rena. Personal life Priya Suriyasena was born on 27 October 1944 to an up-country middle-class family in Nattandiya, Puttalam district, Sri Lanka. His father Jamis Appuhami was a poet, from whom he got his musical talents. His mother was A. M. Podi Manike. He was the only son in a family of four. He had his primary education at Nattandiya Primary School and completed his GCE O/L and A/L at Madampe Central College in Puttalam district. In 1978 he married Thamara Kumari Weerasinghe who was also a music teacher. The couple has one son and three daughters. His son Luckshitha studied at Ananda College and learned music from Lionel Ranwala. Luckshitha pursued his PhD at Stanford University, USA and a scientist by profession. He is also a talented singer and performs on live TV to continue his father's legacy. Eldest daughter Minoshi is a Doctor. The second daughter, Iroshi, is also active in the Sri Lankan music industry and works as a Senior Manager at a private bank. The youngest daughter Gayashi is still following higher studies. Singing career Priya sat for external music exams conducted by the government musical college 'Heywood' from 1968 to 1971 and obtained a diploma in music. Priya has won several prizes as a student after participating in musical programs, such as island-wide UNESCO talent competition in which he won the first prize. Suriyasena also continued his career as a music teacher in Kelaniya Gurukula College in 1971 while he was also a stage singer. Then he moved to Kalubowila Vidyalaya and finally in Dehiwala Central College. After about 10 years of service in Dehiwala, Suriyasena left his teaching career giving priority to his music career. Priya recorded some of his original songs in SLBC in 1972 and also passed as an A-grade radio singer. At this stage he shortened his name