Sri Lankan musician Dayan Witharana has announced that Gayan Munasinghe, the patient whose emotional appeal to see his long‑lost partner touched thousands online, has passed away at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital’s Shantha Sewana ward.
Munasinghe, who had expressed a final wish to reconnect with his former lover now living in Australia, died without fulfilling that hope.
“Though our appeal on Facebook reached over a million, it is a great sorrow that he could not even speak to her by telephone. Without seeing his lover, he went on his final journey. I pray that they may meet in another life,” Witharana said, adding his wish that Munasinghe attain Nibbana peace.
The poignant story first came to light on July 27, when Witharana, together with singers Sewwandi Ranatunga and Priyanath Ratnayake, performed at the hospital ward where Munasinghe was receiving treatment.
Despite his frail condition, he requested songs including Niranjala Sarojini’s “Oba Dekaganimen” and Witharana’s “Sittham Karamin.”
Moved by the music, Munasinghe revealed that his beloved had left peacefully about 20 years ago and now resides overseas. He said that seeing her once more would be his greatest happiness.
Witharana and Ranatunga shared a video of the moment on social media, urging the public to help reconnect the patient with his former partner. The appeal quickly gained traction, reaching more than a million views and shares.
At the time, Witharana had said, “With just one meeting, how much happiness he would gain,” calling it an act of great merit to help fulfill the patient’s wish.
Despite the widespread response, Munasinghe passed away without achieving his final desire. (Newswire)