Beginning his career as a tabla player, Perera became one of the most influential singers in Sri Lankan classical music industry.
[5] After returning to Sri Lanka with Shelton, Shashi Perera became a Hindi presenter at Radio Ceylon.
[3][6] Shelton's son Sathish Perera was a popular singer who started the singing career to continue his father's legacy in 1989.
His hits include both his father's and his own creations, such as "Awasan Liyumai", "Sundarai Oba", "Kadulu Walin Pem Hasuna", "Mihirathi Wasantha Kale", "Kandalame Wewa Balanna", "Adareta Haduwak Tharam" and "Maha Muhudu Wimane".
[7] On the early morning of 23 April 2012, Satish Perera died at the Oasis hospital at the age of 42 due to leukemia.
He is the only Sri Lankan to play the tabla in Bollywood films under renowned musicians such as Naushad, Shankar–Jaikishan, Salil Chowdhury, S. D. Burman, Kalyanji–Anandji and Mohinder Tripathi.
During this period, Shelton heard the news of his father's death through a friend and returned to Sri Lanka from Bombay in 1966.
He continued to work as the music director for many popular films including, Sarubima, Iwasana Danaa and Ahala Pahala.
[3] Shelton also contributed as a playback singer in the films including Sinhasuna, Hadawath Naththo and Tom Pachaya.
Some of his most popular songs include, "Egodaha Yanno", "Awasan Liyumai", "Maha Muhudu Wimane", "Himidiri Eliye", "Dura Etha Noyana" and "Kandulak Una".