[2] Described as one of the most influential musicians in Sri Lankan music history,[3] Perera was the leader and the lead vocalist of The Gypsies.
Anton was a clerk at the government Postal Department and also run a sweet production company called "Glucorasa".
On 25 October 1981, Perera was arrested by police in Homagama following reports from Kulatunga's parents that he had abducted her; the case was later dropped.
[16][17] In August 2021, Perera tested positive for COVID-19 and rumors of his death started circulating on social media.
In 1969, at the age of 15 when he left school, Sunil joined the band The Gypsies created by his father, Anton Perera, along with his brothers – Nihal, Lal, Nimal, Piyal and uncle's son Neville; there were seven of the crew in all.
[23] He learned guitar under Vincent Jayawardane and George Ferdinando and had voice training under Loren Abeysekara, Lily Godridge and Maryanne David.
[25] His father also built a studio for the band next to the house on Galle Road in Ratmalana where they were staying at the time.
[27][28] Other tracks sung by Gypsies include, "Kadapathakin", "None Mage Sudu None" (1977), "Lunu Dehi" (1987), "Uncle Johnson" (1987), "Oye Ojaye" (1989),[5] "Piti Kotapan None" and "Signore" (1997).
[5] He openly talked about sensitive topics, such as sex, which are often deemed as taboo subjects in conservative Sri Lanka.
In 2015, he revealed that he was afraid of being a target of the Rajapaksa family when Mahinda Rajapakse lost the 2015 Sri Lankan presidential election.