Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga, popularly known as Vijaya Kumaratunga, was a Sri Lankan actor, playback singer and politician regarded as one of the most popular icons in Sri Lankan cinema of all time. He was married to former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaranatunga from 1978 until his assassination in 1988. He was the Founder of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party.
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the Sri Lankan film industry. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S. M. Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone. Sri Lankan films are usually made in Sinhala and Tamil, the dominant languages of the country.
Swarna Mallawarachchi, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. Often known as the "Golden star of Sinhalese cinema", Swarna began her acting career whilst still a schoolgirl, starring in the 1966 blockbuster film Sath Samudura directed by Siri Gunasinghe. During a career spanning over 40 years, Swarna has won the 'Best Actress Award' 26 times, most by a Sri Lankan actress.
Ganga Addara was a 1980 Sinhalese language film directed by Sumitra Peiris and produced by Sumathi Films. The film stars Vasanthi Chathurani and late Vijaya Kumaratunga in the lead roles. Adapted from a novel by Letitia Botejue, its script was written by veteran director Tissa Abeysekara. The music and English lyrics were composed by Nimal Mendis. It was translated into Sinhala by Augustus Vinayagaratnam and was sung by Vijaya Kumaratunga, who also made his mark as a playback singer. Ganga Addara, which was the second production of Sumathi Films was set in Kandy, colonial Sri Lanka. Its plot is about a tragic love story between a boy and his uncle's daughter, where all the incidents take place around river Kalani, a famous river in Sri Lanka.
Amarasiri Kalansuriya, popularly known as Kalan, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. Kalansuriya made his first film appearance alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga in Hanthana Kathawa. His next film Ahas Gauwa won him a best actor award in 1974. He was born in Kandy, and was an alumnus of Dharmaraja College.
Deshabandu Tony Ranasinghe, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Sinhala cinema of all - time, Tony is highly praised for his unique facial expressions, voice, the variety of body languages & some of the hard - tensioned roles which were extremely difficult to act, such as Sarath's role in Ahasin Polowata, Nissanka's role in Delovak Athara etc
Kala Suri Dona Georgina Meraya Denawaka,, popularly known as Denawaka Hamine, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Known as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema, she appeared more than 300 films and teledramas in a career spanned more than four decades.
Jeewan Kumaranatunga, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television, who later became a politician, a former member of the parliament and a former cabinet minister. He is a close relative of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the nephew of actor and politician Vijaya Kumaratunga.
Andrew Jayamanne ඇන්ඩෘ ජයමාන්න was a Sri Lankan cinematographer, and film and television director and producer.
Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake, popularly as Sanath Gunatilake, is an actor, director, screenwriter in Sri Lankan cinema and film director. A highly versatile actor across many genres, Gunatilake is a veteran actor in the Sri Lankan cinema industry with a career spanning more than four decades. He Served as a member of Western Provincial Council as United National Party member, and later join as media head of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
Jagath Chamila Fernando is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. He made his film debut in 1992 in the Sinhalese film Guru Gedara, portraying a child. In 2013, he won the award for the Best Actor at New York International Film festival for his portrayal of Sami in Samige Kathava, a film based on Elmo Jayawardena's novel Sam's Story (2001). He is considered one of five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan stage by critics.
Nommara 17 is a 1989 Sri Lankan Sinhala action thriller film directed by Hemasiri Sellapperuma and produced by Preethiraj Weeraratne for Weeraratne Enterprises. It stars Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilake and Jeewan Kumaranatunga in lead roles along with Mervyn Jayathunga, Wilson Karunaratne, Sabeetha Perera, Menik Kurukulasooriya and Freddie Silva. The music was composed by Ernest Soysa. It is the 691st film in the Sinhala cinema.
Samige Kathawa (Sam's story) (Sinhala: සැමීගේ කතාව) is a 2014 Sri Lankan Sinhala drama film directed by Priyankara Vittanachchi and co-produced by Priyankara Vittanachchi, Wimal Deshapriya, Rohan Fonseka for Maheel Films. It stars Jagath Chamila in lead role along with Sanath Gunathilake, Nilmini Buwaneka and Menik Kurukulasuriya. Music composed by Lakshman Joseph De Saram. It is the 1202nd film in the Sri Lankan cinema. The film has based on the Gratiaen Prize winning novel Sam's Story of Captain Elmo Jayawardena.
Kapuwela Vidanage Senanayake Mudiyanselage Jayani Chamathka Dharmadasa Senanayake, popularly as Jayani Senanayake, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Highly versatile actress in drama and comedy, she is best known for the roles in films Sulang Kirilli, Walapatala and Goal.
Kala Suri Sugathapala Senarath Yapa [Sinhala], 10 November 1935 – 25 August 2024) was a Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter, producer and lyricist. His career in Sri Lankan cinema spanned from 1960 to 1984.
Daya Wimalaweera [Sinhala]), was a director in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama. He was also a cinematographer, producer, screenwriter and editor.
Christhu Charithaya is a 1990 Sri Lankan Sinhala biographical film directed by Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by Alerik Lionel Fernando. It stars Vijaya Kumaratunga as Jesus along with ensemble cast of popular film artists. Music composed by Premasiri Khemadasa. It is the 712th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema.
Daya Bandara Tennakoon [Sinhala]), was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.
Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sri Lankan politician and founder of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya, was assassinated by an assassin of the militant organization Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya (DJV) on February 16, 1988, while attempting to leave his home in Polhengoda in Colombo.
Hathara Denama Soorayo is a 1971 Sri Lankan Sinhala action romantic film directed and produced by Neil Rupasinghe for Samudra Films. The four protagonist roles are played by Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Anthony C. Perera and Senadeera Rupasinghe in lead roles along with Malini Fonseka and Sriyani Amarasena. Music composed by P. L. A. Somapala. It is the 230th Sri Lankan film in the Sinhala cinema. It is the first film in Sinhala cinema to be screened for 100 consecutive days in a single cinema hall. The film also witnessed as the first film in which Gamini Fonseka, Malini Fonseka and Vijaya Kumaratunga act together.
