Veteran violinist Ranjith Athula Kumara (Athula Edirisinghe) has passed away.
Born in 1961 in Arakawila, Handapangoda, he was educated at Kirigala Sagara Palansuriya College and studied violin under veteran music director Shelton Premaratne. He then studied violin under music director Douglas Ferdinand and began his professional career with the Sri Lanka Army Band.
Later, Athula Edirisinghe joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra and retired from his professional career as a training instructor at the Civil Defence Department.
He has contributed to the creations of many renowned artists in Sri Lanka, including Visharada Nandamalani's ''Pavana'', Visharada Gunadasa Kapuge's ''Kampana'', Visharada Malani Bulathsinhala's ''Ma De obama Viya'', and many other performances with his violin.
The last rites of veteran violinist Athula Ediringsinghe, who has entertained thousands of fans from many local and international stages, will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Ingiriya Crematorium.