The Moonstones were the first band to record on the newly established Sooriya label, being introduced to Gerald by his son Netaji, whose friend Mangala Rodrigo was a member of the band.
Sooriya’s first release “More Hits by The Moonstones” bearing catalogue number CHB001 went on to become an instant hit. Though released first, this was however the second contract signed with the band.
Songs of the first contract with The Moonstones were however released exactly after an year in 1969. The release not only brought Indrani Perera, the first solo artiste of Sooriya into the limelight through the evergreen hit “Dilhani” but also grossed the highest revenue record at the time.
The addition of Melroy Dharmaratne and the Dharmaratne Brothers to the label resulted in another popular hit: “Varsity Kollo”.
