[1] He was drawn into singing by the head of the Folk and Research unit at the Broadcasting Corporation C.J.S.

Kulathilaka who asked him to vocalise several Sinhala folk songs that included "Gana Thel Sadun" to be broadcast over the radio.

Jayaratne debuted as a playback singer with "Lahiru Dahasak" written by Sunil Ariyarathne and composed by Premasiri Khemadasa.

In 1980 Jayaratne dueted with Sunila Abeysekera on "Hemin Sare Piya Vida" for the movie Hansa Vilak.

[5] Also he has composed music for some songs but he achieved fame as a talented vocalist.