His father Clement Arnold de Silva from Matara was a Public Health Inspector (PHI) and mother Olga Correa from Chilaw was a teacher.

"Des", as he was known to his fans, launched his career in popular music in Colombo in 1963, he was the lead vocalist of the Fire-Flies.

De Silva also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups – "Spitfires", "Gabo and the Breakaways", and the "Jetliners."

[4] In 1976 he decided to form his own band, "Desmond and the Clan", which performed in various countries in Southeast Asia, including the Maldives.

De Silva resided in London and performed with London-based backing group Foreign Affairs in the United Kingdom.

[5] De Silva also sang record songs and Nadagam songs such as Raja Sangabo Hisa De Dugiyata, Muni Nandana Siripada, Panamure Eth Raja, Amba Damba Naran, Budubawa Pathana Vesathuru Nirinda.

His eldest son Steve was a singer/entertainer, who died of cancer, his daughter, Megan De Silva, was adopted by Derrick and Renuka Fernando.

Desmond met and married his third wife, Phyllis Van Houten, in Sydney, Australia, where they lived for thirteen years.