Sri Lankan trio win many fans

By Mahes Perera

Making successful Sri Lankan music waves in Zurich is the father and two daughters combination the Silvas. This is the first time I guess that a combination such as this is functioning in Europe. Silvas was formed two years ago. Mano Silva the leader is a guitarist and vocalist while Komali and Mihiri sing and play keyboards.

The proud father told me in a conversation over the phone that Komali started playing the piano since the age of seven while Mihiri started off when she was ten years old. Although they play as a trio on the weekends - Friday/Saturday till 2 a.m., occasionally his son Tharaka too joins them on their gigs. Silvas' repetoire includes rhythm and blues and hip hop which is quite in demand in Zurich, at many pubs and private functions. Mano now an Application Engineer for UBS in Zurich, left Sri Lanka for Europe with the band Rendezvous comprising Russell Fernando, Chithral Somapala and Udaya Welikela and thereafter performed with many European bands.

During the week Komali works as a consultant for the Winterthur Insurance Company and also follows studies at the Government Business School in Beru. Mihiri on the other hand is studying to be a fashion designer at the Government School for Dressmaking and Fashion Designing in Beru.

With more than a little bit of luck, Mano hopes to be in Sri Lanka for the season for a performance on our stages. Keeping our fingers crossed!