The song, which is literally named ‘Wadakaha Sudiya’, addresses a certain event that took place during the solar eclipse that was visible in the skies above Ceylon on 20 June 1955. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, a partial eclipse occurs when the moon only partially covers the sun, while an annular eclipse is when the moon covers the centre of the sun. A newspaper clipping from 20 June 1955, reporting on the solar eclipse. Photo credit: Nadun LiyanagedaraAt the time, the locals did not really know how to view a solar eclipse safely. The charlatan further went on to claim that anyone with a dark complexion who consumed wadakaha during the eclipse would become light-skinned overnight.

Source: The Nation February 20, 2021 11:14 UTC