Jagath Manuwarna ජගත් මනුවර්ණ | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Kandy District | |
| Assumed office 21 November 2024 | |
| Majority | 128,678 preferential votes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jagath Manuwarna Kodithuwakku August 18,1980 Galaha,Kandy,Sri Lanka |
| Political party | Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna |
| Other political affiliations | National People's Power |
| Education | Delthota Central College,Kandy |
| Occupation | Actor,filmmaker,screenwriter,presenter |
| Awards | Best Director Best Promising Actor |
Jagath Manuwarna Kodithuwakku is a Sri Lankan actor and politician currently serving as a Member of Parliament. He is also active in the Sri Lankan film industry,theatre and television as a screenwriter,director and actor. [1] [2]
Manuwarna was born in Galaha,Kandy,Sri Lanka. [3] He completed education from Delthota Central College,Kandy. After school life,he entered Tower Hall Drama School,Colombo and learned drama and theatre. In 2003,he joined Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation where he worked as a presenter.[ citation needed ]
As a filmmaker,Manuwarna directed his maiden short film Gindara Poddak which won the award for the Best Short Film in 2006 Guerilla Film Festival,Sri Lanka. [3] Then he directed two short films:Water Lily,Playing Cards and Cleansing,where first two dramas received the award for ‘Best Short Film’at the Agenda Short Film Festival in the years 2011 and 2012.[ citation needed ] He has acted in the television serials such as:Kodi Gaha Yata,Sahodaraya, Koombiyo , A/L Iwarai and Eka Langa Kotu.
In 2017,he directed his maiden feature film Whispering Mountains ,which was screened in 2023. [4] The film received positive reviews from critics and the film won the NETPAC Award for the best Asian feature film at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023. [5] [6] [7] [8] Manuwarna later won the award for the Best Director in the Asian Competition Section of the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival for the film. [9] [10]
In 2021,he directed the television serial Kodi Gaha Yata which was telecast on Independent Television Network. [11] On 28 April 2024,he was accidentally shot during a shoot at the film set of Father directed by Chaminda Jayasuriya. He was immediately transported to Colombo Hospital for treatment with a minor injury. [12]
In March 2022,Manuwarna along with Lahiru Weerasekera,Rathindu Senaratne,Dhammika Munasinghe,Venerable Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero,Eranga Gunasekera,and Jehan Appuhamy were surrendered to the Maradana Police via counsel after an illegal assembly opposite. [13]
In November 2024,he contested for the 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from Kandy district as a member of the National People's Power. [14] Manuwarna was elected to the parliament in the election representing Kandy Electoral District. [15]
| Election | Constituency | Party | Alliance | Votes | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 parliamentary | Kandy District | JVP | NPP | 128,678 | Elected | [16] | |
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Karma | Piyal | [17] |
| 2013 | Nikini Vassa | [18] | |
| 2014 | WarigaPojja | Billa | [19] |
| 2017 | Kaala | Wattaka's henchman | [20] |
| 2019 | Ginnen Upan Seethala | Upatissa Gamanayake | [21] |
| 2019 | Dekala Purudu Kenek | Sanka | [22] |
| 2023 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | [23] | |
| TBA | Sulangin Ahanna† | ||
| TBA | Marine Drive† | ||
| TBA | Muruga Sanniya† | ||
| TBA | Father† |
| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | [23] |
| TBA | Kodi Gaha Yata 2† | [3] |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malsara Bisau | Best Stage Management | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gindara Poddak | Best Short Film | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Nikini Vessa | Most Promising Actor | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | Best Director | Won |
