De Lanerolle Brothers bring retro and pop experience to Nelum Pokuna
By: Thasmina Sookoor
With 17 years in Sri Lanka’s entertainment industry, The De Lanerolle Brothers are set to present their much anticipated retro and pop concert on May 19, 2026, at the Nelum Pokuna Indoor Theatre. Presented by Swisstek in association with the Wijeya Newspapers Group, the concert will feature Rohan and Ishan De Lanerolle bringing their signature style and live production experience to audiences. Speaking about their musical journey, upcoming concert and the evolution of the De Lanerolle Brothers brand, the duo shared their thoughts in an interview.
Rohan De Lanerolle
Q: How did the journey of the De Lanerolle Brothers begin, and at what point did you both realize this would become a long-term passion?
A: We have now been in the entertainment industry for 17 years and it all started by chance. Ishan and I sang for the world famous Platters featuring the legendary Monroe Powell in 2008 under no brand name. We did not know that advertising guru Mr. Ranil De Silva was in the audience and after the show he said he would like to meet us and subsequently branded us as DLB. Then Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya of Dialog and Mr. Hemaka Amarasuriya of Singer started us off in 2008. We actually had a short-term goal of seeing how it would go for three years with a long-term plan of five years. Then when we hit five, we thought let’s do 10 years. Now, we are in our 17th year.
Q: Over the years, you have shaped the identity of the De Lanerolle Brothers brand. How would you describe its evolution and what sets it apart in Sri Lanka’s live music scene?
A: The fact that we have continued for 17 years is a clear testament that we have done things differently and evolved, yet for most of those years it has still been only Ishan and myself on stage. If you really look at it, we do not have dance troupes or backup singers to either divert or enhance attention. What our audience gets is just the two of us on stage entertaining them. I always say that our shows, whether pop, sacred or classical, are productions where everyone becomes a stakeholder.
Q: Your upcoming retro and pop concert in May 2026 is already generating interest. What inspired this particular show, and what direction are you taking with it?
A: This is a show we did some time back at the BMICH and with Covid 19 it stopped. After that, we wanted to continue staging our sit down dinner shows before restarting the theatre show at a new venue where we have never done our own show. We thought it was time to bring it back to our much-loved fans. It has certainly helped to have a genuine presenting partner in Swisstek, who has contributed immensely. At the point of writing these answers, we have seen a clear young and middle aged audience subscribing to the show and that is exactly the audience we wanted to engage and develop.
Q: This concert will be held at the Nelum Pokuna Indoor Theatre. From a production and performance perspective, what makes this show unique compared to your previous concerts?
A: The very fact that it is a new venue for us makes it unique and some of our repertoire will also be new, not forgetting the attire too.
Q: Beyond this concert, what are your longer term plans for the De Lanerolle Brothers as a brand?
A: Some of the secrets cannot be shared, but we certainly do have an idea of where we want to go and what new things we want to do. Hopefully, all of that will be seen as we move on.
Q: How do you rate your fans and audience?
A: Over the past 17 years, we have been blessed to have many returning and new fans who have loved what we do on stage. At times, Ishan and I wonder how we could truly value them because it is the audience that makes or breaks you and most of them have joined the DLB family. We also cannot forget the continuous support of our sponsors and partners, some of whom have been with us throughout the entire 17-year journey.
Ishan De Lanerolle
Q: You have often spoken about how organically the duo came together. From your perspective, what made that partnership work so naturally from the start?
A: It was never something that was forced on us. Music was naturally a part of our everyday lives. We would sing in the car, sing in the office and sing at home. Because we also worked together in our tea business during the day, we were constantly around each other. So music was always there in the background of our lives. I think that is why the partnership worked so naturally from the very beginning. It never felt like we were trying to create something artificial. It honestly started almost like a hobby, something we genuinely enjoyed doing together, and over time it slowly evolved into a profession as well. There was always a comfort and ease between us musically, and I think audiences connected with that sincerity. What people see on stage is very much who we are off stage too, other than my incessant talking off stage and the silent one on stage.
Q: Your on stage chemistry with Rohan is widely appreciated. How do you maintain that connection while still keeping each performance fresh?
A: I think a lot of it comes from the fact that I usually do the harmony parts, and with Rohan, what happens at rehearsals is very often not what happens during the actual performance. But somehow, over the years, I have developed a sense of knowing what he may do musically most of the time. For example, he may suddenly decide to hold onto a phrase longer than he ever did during rehearsals, and instinctively I am already there with him. That connection just happens naturally on stage.
At the same time, that unpredictability is what keeps every performance fresh and exciting. Rohan being Rohan is very much how he is in normal day to day life too, so we simply bring that natural dynamic onto the stage and have fun with it. The audience enjoys that spontaneity and often has a good laugh along the way as well. And to be very honest, there are moments on stage where even I am genuinely shocked at what he is going to say next because I truly have no idea. But I think that unpredictability and authenticity are part of what make the performances feel alive and real.
Q: This upcoming concert is highly anticipated. What excites you most personally about performing at this show?
A: What excites us most is that for us, it is never just a performance, it is an entire production and experience. We always try to think beyond simply singing songs on stage. Even the atmosphere, venue, audience journey and small details matter to us. I remember a critic once speaking to me about one of our Christmas productions, and interestingly, they were talking not about the music itself, but about how beautifully even one of the ballroom washrooms had been decorated for a sit down dinner Christmas show. What amazed me was that they still remembered that detail two years later. That, to us, is what creating an experience is all about. We want people to walk away remembering not only the songs, but the feeling of the evening as a whole. So, we put a great deal of thought into every aspect of a production to make it impactful and memorable. Even with this upcoming show, there are many plans, systems and procedures being put in place behind the scenes to ensure that every guest who walks through those doors has the best possible experience. From production design to audience comfort and flow, we are constantly asking ourselves how we can elevate the experience further. So, yes, it is incredibly exciting to be part of organizing and bringing a production like this to life.
Q: Preparing for a venue like the Nelum Pokuna Indoor Theatre comes with its own demands. What has the preparation process been like for you?
A: So far, it has been going very well. We are quite organized with our preparation and already have detailed checklists in place to ensure every aspect of the production is covered. A venue like Nelum Pokuna is a very large-scale production space, so it naturally takes a strong team working behind the scenes to manage everything from technical coordination and rehearsals to audience experience and overall execution. Thankfully, we have a very committed team working with us, and everyone is putting in a tremendous amount of effort to ensure the production comes together smoothly. It is a demanding but exciting process as we slowly see the vision coming to life day by day.
Q: What does being part of the De Lanerolle Brothers mean to you personally today, compared to when you first started?
A: It is a very different time from when we first started. Over the years, expectations have grown and every aspect of what we do has evolved. Today, every little detail matters, and we are constantly trying to introduce new elements and elevate the overall experience. Even something as simple as concert tickets becomes part of the journey, with many people appreciating the artwork and design elements on them. For us, it has never been only about the music, but about creating a complete identity and experience around the brand.
What is truly special is that this brand was never built by just the two of us alone. Our musicians, production teams, staff, partners, sponsors, supporters and most importantly the audience have all played a part in shaping The De Lanerolle Brothers. Without the audience, we would be nothing, and we are deeply grateful for their love, loyalty and support throughout the years.
