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Kala Keerthi
The Kala Keerthi () is a Sri Lankan national honour awarded "''for extraordinary achievements and contributions in arts, culture and drama''". It is the highest national honour for arts, culture and drama in Sri Lanka. It is conventionally used as a title or prefix to the awardee's name. Kala Keerthi ranks lower than Vidya Jyothi. Awardees Awardees include: ;1986 * Wannakuwattawaduge Don Amaradeva * Rohan de Saram * Dayananda Ekanatha Hettiarachchi * George Keyt * Lester James Peries ;1987 * Ananda Weihena Palliya Guruge * Prof Nandadasa Kodagoda * Anton Wickremasinghe ;1988 * Prof Thomas Earle Joseph de Fonseka * Dr Punchi Bandara Sannasgala * Varindra Tarzie Vittachi ;1989 * Eileen Siriwardhana * Alankarage Victor Suraweera * Lorna Srimathie Dewaraja * Jinadasa Vijayatunge ;1990 * Miniwandeni Pathirannehelage Tillakaratna * Arumugam Kandiah ;1991 * Wimal Abayasundera * Diongu Badaturuge Nihalsinghe ;1992 * Edwin Ariyadasa * Ananda Salgado Kulasooriya ;1993 * Sembuge ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. It shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the southwest and India in the northwest. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, while the largest city, Colombo, is the administrative and judicial capital which is the nation's political, financial and cultural centre. Kandy is the second-largest urban area and also the capital of the last native kingdom of Sri Lanka. The most spoken language Sinhala language, Sinhala, is spoken by the majority of the population (approximately 17 million). Tamil language, Tamil is also spoken by approximately five million people, making it the second most-spoken language in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has a population of appr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dharmasena Pathiraja
Pathiraja Navaratne Wanninayake Mudiyanselage Ranjith Dharmasena (28 March 1943 – 28 January 2018) was a Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter. He has been referred to as a 'rebel with a cause', an ‘''enfant terrible'' of the '70s', and is widely recognized as the pioneer of Sri Lankan cinema’s 'second revolution'. He is also renowned as an academic, playwright and poet. Early life Educated at Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Pathiraja graduated from the University of Peradeniya with an honours degree in Sinhala and Western Classical Culture in 1967. Subsequently he began work as a lecturer in Drama and Performance Arts, and later obtained a PhD in Bengali cinema from Monash University. His thesis was ''The Dialectic of Region and Nation in the Films of Bengali Independents: Ghatak, Ray and Sen (2001)''. He learned the language of cinema from the film society movement, which was popular in Sri Lanka in the early sixties. He also recognized their sociopolitical limitation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sanath Gunathilake
Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake (born 27 October 1955: Sinhala:සනත් ගුණතිලක), popularly as Sanath Gunatilake, is a Sri Lankan actor, director, screenwriter and former politician.Sanath Gunatilake is a Sri Lankan actor, director, screenwriter, and former politician. Known for his versatility across multiple genres, he has had a career in the Sri Lankan film industry spanning over four decades. Gunatilake served as a member of the Western Provincial Council as a member of the United National Party The United National Party (UNP; , ) is a Centre-right politics, centre-right political party in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1946, the party was one of Sri Lanka's two main parties for several decades. The UNP has served as the country's ruling party ... and later held the position of media head for President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. Early life Gunatilake was born on 27 October 1955 in Mulgampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka, into a middle-class family. His fath ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rohana Weerasinghe
Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe (born 18 February 1949) is a Sri Lankan musician, composer and singer. Early life Weerasinghe was born on 18 February 1949 in Algiriya, Matara in southern Sri Lanka. He was the youngest child to his parents Henry Weerasinghe and Sepalin Weerasinghe. In 1954, Weerasinghe started schooling from Good Shepard Family Convent in Nuwara Eliya, and later moved to Vidyachakra Buddhist School Ruwan Eliya, Welimada Maha Vidyalaya, Pannipitya Dharmapala Vidyalaya and Gamini Maha Vidyalaya Nuwara Eliya. In 1977, Weerasinghe married to Leela Beatrice De Silva, a dancing teacher in profession. They had two sons, Kalindu Gajaba and Chirath Kanishka. Music Weerasinghe learnt the basics of music from K.V.S Perera Kithsiri Aluthge. He was able to enter the Government Music School of Sri Lanka for further studies in Oriental Music by mastering Sitar. Later he joined maestro Premasiri Khemadasa as a Sitar player in his Orchestra. Weerasinghe became a key Sitar player for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prasanna Vithanage
Udaya Prasanna Vithanage () (born 14 March 1962) is a Sri Lankan filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential filmmakers in South Asia. He is known for thought-provoking films that often deals with social, political and cultural issues. His films have received numerous awards accolades, both locally and internationally and have been praised for their innovative storytelling. He has battled against the censorship in Sri Lanka and worked as an educator of cinema who has conducted many Master classes in the subcontinent for young filmmakers and enthusiasts. Prasanna Vithanage is also an activist and has been involved in human rights and peace initiatives. Filmography Awards Ira Madiyama (August Sun) *Grand Prix (Special Mention) "Le Regard d'or" – Fribourg International Film Festival 2004 *FIPRESCI Award – 17th Singapore International Film Festival 2004 * NETPAC Award – 17th Singapore International Film Festival 2004 Akasa Kusum (Flowers ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Monica Ruwanpathirana
Kala Keerthi Monica Ruwanpathirana () (1946 – 2004) was a Sri Lankan poet and writer. She is considered one of the most acclaimed poets in modern Sinhala poetry. She has written 23 books, including nineteen poetry and three of them won the State Literary Award. In 2005, she was honored by Government of Sri Lanka with the reputation of Kala Keerthi. Born in a village in Matara, Monica had her education at St. Thomas' Girls' High School, Galle and Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya. In 1967, she graduated from the University of Colombo and joined the Plan Implementation Ministry where she worked for eleven years. Later she started working for an NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ... as a director. She died at the age of 58. Publications Her books of verse include, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Malini Fonseka
Wanniarachchige Malini Senehelatha Fonseka, (; ; 30 April 1947 – 24 May 2025) was a Sri Lankan actress, theatre artist, director and politician. Often dubbed the "Queen of Sri Lankan Cinema", her career spanned seven decades. Fonseka made her debut in Sri Lankan cinema with Tissa Liyansooriya's ''Punchi Baba'' in 1968, and later she was named by CNN as one of Asia's 25 greatest film actors of all time in 2010. Fonseka first became widely known when she won the Best Actress Award at the 1969 National State Drama Festival, followed by a Sarasaviya Best Actress Awards for ''Hingana Kolla'' in 1980, ''Aradhana'' in 1982 and ''Yasa Isuru'' in 1983. She also broke records by winning the Slim Nielsen Peoples' Award for the Most Popular Actress twelve times in a row. Biography Early life She was born as the third of eleven siblings to Bandu Arachchige Gilbert Fonseka, a Government Press worker and Seelwathie Fonseka at Peliyagoda, Kelaniya. After her birth, her family moved to Jamb ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latha Walpola
Deshamanya Matharage Rita Genevieve Fernando, better known by her stage name Latha Walpola (), is a Sri Lankan singer. Her fans refer to her as "The Nightingale of Sri Lanka" Personal life Walpola was born on 11 November 1934 in Mount-Lavinia to Joseph Fernando and Elizabeth Muriel. She was one of five children. Her mother, a teacher, encouraged her to become a singer. Walpola received her primary education at St. Anthony College in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, where she led a church choir. She married Dharmadasa Walpola in 1959, becoming known as Latha Walpola. A ceremonial wedding was held at Sirikotha, Kollupitiya. The couple has four sons and one daughter. Career Latha Walpola was a member at 12 years old of Radio Ceylon's Choir in 1946. C.A. Fonseka, a family friend and radio dramatist, brought her to Radio Ceylon to perform in his Sarala Gee programme with his son C.D. Fonseka. In 1947, Walpola sang her first solo song, "Kandulu Denethe Vehena", which had lyrics by Sara ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karthigesu Sivathamby
Professor Karthigesu Sivathamby (; 10 May 1932 – 6 July 2011) was a Sri Lankan Tamil literary historian, author and academic. Early life and family Sivathamby was born on 10 May 1932 in Karaveddy in northern Ceylon. He was the son of T. P. Karthigesu, a Tamil pundit, and Valliammai. He was educated at Vigneswara Vidyalayam and Zahira College, Colombo (1949–52). After school Sivathamby joined the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1953, studying under K. Kanapathypillai and graduating with B.A. degree in history, economics and Tamil. Sivathamby became a Marxist during his university days. He later received a M.A. degree in Tamil, under the guidance of S. Vithiananthan, from the university. Sivathamby received a Ph.D. degree from the University of Birmingham in 1970 after producing thesis, supervised by George Derwent Thomson, on drama in ancient Tamil society. Sivathamby was married to Rupavathy. They had three daughters (Mangai, Kothai and Varthani). Career Sivat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jayalath Manoratne
Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne (; 12 June 1948 – 12 January 2020) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. He was a lecturer by profession as well as a director and producer. A highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Manoratne won awards at OCIC (International Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisual), Presidential, Sarasaviya, Raigam Tele'es, Sumathi and the State Literary and Drama festivals. He was the best actor back to back in 1991 and 1992 for his performance in ''Socrates'' and ''Dvitva''. He is considered by critics as one of the five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage. He died on 12 January 2020 while receiving treatment for cancer at the age of 71. Personal life Manoratne was born on 12 June 1948 in Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya as the youngest son in the family of six children. His father Keselgaspe Manatunga Perera was a lorry driver and his mother Agalakotuwa Herath Mudiyanselage Leela Kumari was a housewife. He u ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jackson Anthony
Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony (as ජැක්සන් ඇන්තනී; 8 July 1958 – 9 October 2023), commonly known as Jackson Anthony, was a Sri Lankan actor in film, theatre and television. One of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor a record sixteen times. Primarily active as an actor in all three media, he appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, television host, novelist, columnist, lyricist, historian and traveller. Early life and education Conganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony was born on 8 July 1958 in Podiwee Kumbura village, Ragama, Sri Lanka. While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda St. Mary's Junior School and St. Mary's College in Bandarawela and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo wher ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Henry Jayasena
Kala Keerthi Dr Bastian Koralage Henry Rudrigo Jayasena (born 6 July 1931 – died 11 November 2009 as Sinhala: හෙන්රි ජයසේන), popularly known as Henry Jayasena, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. With a career spanning more than four decades, Jayasena is considered one of the best dramatists in Sri Lankan drama. Personal life He was born on 6 July 1931 in Bendiyamulla, Gampaha. He attended the Gampaha branch of Lorenz College for primary education. He then attended Nalanda College Colombo for his secondary education. During his time at the school, he was classmates with many successful people, among who were Dr. Dharmasena Attygalle, Karunaratne Abeysekera, Dr. Harischandra Wijayatunga, Dr. Hudson Silva, Hon. Rupa Karunathilake, Jayasena was married to fellow actress Manel Ilangakoon in 1962. Manel played the lead role in Jayasena's play ''Kuweni'' and won the best actress award for her performance at the State Drama F ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
