Veteran actor and singer Christy Leonard Perera passed away last evening at the age of 83.

Born in Colombo in 1932, Christy Perera was educated at St. Lucia’s College Kotahena.

He joined the Radio Ceylon as a comedy artist in 1948 and later recorded songs like Kullen Pola Pola, Amma Kiya Kiyatha Heki Ekama Landakatai and others.

Having started his acting career in film Warada Kageda in 1954, he went on to play pivotal roles as a comedian in popular films including Chandiya, Sukumali, Suneetha, Sirimalee, Sundara Birinda, Allapu Gedara, Yatagiya Dawasa, Dheewarayo, Soora Chawraya, Athma Pooja and Hondama Welawa.