Hemapala Gallage is arguably one of the best professional tabla players in Sri Lanka today who is highly skilled in his field. He is one of the most talented and popular tabla players whom you can never forget. In the 70’s there were a few talented tablists and Gallage was one of them. He was a prominent member of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra since 1978, and now he is the deputy controller of the orchestra. Gallage acquired his tabla playing skills from his eldest brother, Justin, and subsequently learnt from Visharadha D R Peiris. He is not only a tablist but is a very skilful jazz drummer.

Gallage is one of the most sought after tabla players by top musicians, namely Pandit Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayaka and Visharadha Nanda Malini and Rohana Weerasinghe. From the very inception he has been playing the tabla for Victor Rantnayaka’s famous “Sa” performances here and abroad. And he has backed music for almost all the top professional singers if Sri Lanka, and also he was one of the initiative members in the famous music band called “Shakthi” and “Siha Shakthi”.

He has been touring UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Paris, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and India accompanied by many famous singers and music directors of Sri Lanka.