Anton Jones

Anton Jones is a popular Sri Lankan musician. He was a major figure in Sinhala baila and had several hits that include “Mini Gawuma” and “Uyala Pihala.” Jones had released 39 cassettes and eight CDs and often tackled contemporary events in his songs. His most recent album Sebe Siddhi discussed the effects of the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka.

He was born on 3 June 1937 in Colombo to a Burgher family in Hulftsdorp.^[1] His father was a businessman. He is an alumnus of St. Sebastian Maha Vidyalaya, Hulftsdorp.^[4] He has one elder sister.^[2]

For the duration of his musical career, Jones also worked as an English stenographer for the Bank of Ceylon and private company Julius & Cruise since 1963.^[5] He retired in 1997 completing 35 years of service.^[6]

Jones was married to longtime partner Iris Jones. Jones first met Iris at the Talawila Church in 1978. Iris had his education from St. Mary’s Convent in Chilaw. They got married on August 31, 1960, at St. Lucia Church, Kotahena. The couple has two sons – Tyrone, Roshan; and two daughters – Roshini and Priyanka.^[5]

In 2010, while riding a motorcycle, he lost his left arm and fell off the bike twice. The next morning when he was getting ready to go for the medicine he fell in the bathroom. He was rushed to Nawaloka and received treatment for one week. After seven years of clutches, Jones was admitted to the hospital again on 15 February 2016. He could not eat properly, so depended on drink only. He returned home on 18 February.^[5] However, he died on 21 February 2016 at the age of 79 while receiving treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila.^[7] His remains were laid to rest at his residence at Kawdana, Dehiwala Road and later moved to National Art Gallery.^[8]