Sri Lanka, Dec. 27 -- Veteran singer Kalasoori Latha Walpola, widely regarded as the queen of Sri Lankan music scene, passed away today (27) at the age of 91. She had been receiving medical treatment following a period of illness.

Born in 1934 in Mount Lavinia as Rita Geneve Fernando, Latha Walpola began her musical journey at a very young age as a member of a church choir, where her exceptional vocal talent was first recognised. She made her debut on Radio Ceylon in 1946, at just 12 years old, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career that would span several decades.

Her entry into professional music came with the song "Kandulu Denethe Vehena", recorded for a Sarala Gee programme aired on the then Radio Ceylon. The song, compose...