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 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 father, Hector Gunatilake, was a lawyer, and his mother, Grace Goonetileke, was a teacher. He has stated that his father was an avid cinema enthusiast, which influenced his early interest in the arts. Gunatilake received his education at Kingswood College, Kandy.[1]
Gunatilake initially worked as a chemistry teacher. He later moved to Colombo in search of new career opportunities, leaving behind his tuition classes in Kandy.[2]
Film career
Gunatilake made his film debut in 1978 with Situ Kumariyo, directed by Vijaya Dharmasiri. However, before its release, his second film, Ganga Addara, was screened, followed by Sathweni Dawasa. After Situ Kumariyo, his next film, Vajira, was released.
His breakthrough role came with Ganga Addara, directed by Sumitra Peries, which marked a turning point in his acting career. He later gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Aravinda in Viragaya, a performance that earned him Best Actor awards at every major film festival in Sri Lanka. Gunatilake has appeared in several notable films, including Kedapatha, Palama Yata, Doorkada Marawa, and Rajya Sevaya Pinisai.[2]
In addition to his more dramatic roles, Gunatilake appeared in several mainstream films alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga, Jeewan Kumaratunga, and Ranjan Ramanayake. His film credits include Koti Waligaya, Dinuma, Raja Wedakarayo, Nommara 17, Obatai Priye Adare, and Inspector Geetha.[2]
In 2009, Gunatilake made his directorial debut with Ekamath Eka Rataka. He was one of the first Sri Lankan directors to actively use the internet for film promotion, launching a website for his film in 2009, onceuponamovie.com.
Filmography
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ganga Addara | Ranjith | |
| 1981 | Situ Kumariyo | ||
| Vajira | Newton | ||
| Sathweni Dawasa | Alphonso | ||
| Sathkulu Pauwa | |||
| Saranga | |||
| Aradhana | |||
| Amme Mata Samawenna | Wasantha | ||
| 1982 | Yahalu Yeheli | Pujitharatne | |
| Thani Tharuwa | Tharanga | ||
| Ridee Nimnaya | Rathnapala | ||
| Nawatha Hamu Wemu | |||
| Kiri Suwanda | |||
| Kele Mal | Chandana | ||
| Chathu Madhura | Sunil | ||
| 1983 | Sivu Ranga Sena | ||
| Sister Mary | |||
| Kaliyugaya | |||
| 1984 | Thaththai Puthai | Saliya | |
| Shirani | |||
| Batti | Surin Hamu | ||
| Sathi Puja | Kapila | ||
| Sasara Chethana | |||
| Podi Ralahami | |||
| Maya | |||
| Maala Giravi | |||
| Dewani Gamana | Saman | ||
| 1985 | Vasity Kella | ||
| Mihidum Salu | Doctor Senaka | ||
| Kiri Madu Wel | |||
| Chalitha Rangali | as producer | ||
| Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna | |||
| Araliya Mal | Chandana | ||
| 1986 | Prarthana | ||
| Maldeniye Simiyon | Justin | [3] | |
| Mal Warusa | Jagath Weerasuriya | ||
| Koti Valigaya | |||
| Dinuma | Sarath Jayathilaka | ||
| Avurududa | Dhanushka | ||
| 1987 | Viragaya | Aravinda | Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actor[4] |
| Thaththi Man Adarei | |||
| Randamwel | |||
| Raja Wedakarayoo | Ranjan | ||
| Obatai Priye Adare | Amith | ||
| Mangala Thegga | |||
| Kawuluva | |||
| 1988 | Satana | ||
| Rasa Rahasak | Sanath / Wickrama | ||
| Chandingeth Chandiya | Dharmadasa | ||
| 1989 | Okkoma Rajavaru | ||
| Nommara 17 | Naatha | ||
| Kedapathaka Chaya | Piyathilaka | Sarasaviya Awards - Best Supporting Actor[5] | |
| Sebaliyo | Nimal | ||
| 1990 | Pem Raja Dahana | Sargent Ranasinghe | |
| Palama Yata | Willie | Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actor[6] | |
| Madhu Sihina | Suraj | ||
| Hodin Nathnam Narakin | Lokke | ||
| Dese Mal Pipila | Sumedha | ||
| 1991 | Uthura Dakuna | Sanath | |
| Love In Bangkok | Jagath | ||
| Dhanaya | Athula | ||
| [7] | |||
| Cheriyo Doctor | Chaminda Randenigala | ||
| 1992 | Sisila Gini Gani | Harris Makalanda | as producer |
| Sinhayangeth Sinhaya | Mahesh | ||
| Sakkara Sooththara | |||
| Rumathiyai Neethiyai | as producer/screenwriter | ||
| Raja Daruwo | Sanath and his father (dual role) | ||
| Malsara Doni | Janaka Perera | ||
| Kiyala Wedek Nae | |||
| 1993 | Sasara Serisaranathek Oba Mage | as producer | |
| Nelum Ha Samanmalee | |||
| Madara Parasathu | Sirithunga | ||
| Chaya | |||
| Bambasara Bisawu | |||
| 1994 | Sujatha new | ||
| Mee Haraka | |||
| Hello My Darlin | |||
| Aathmaa | |||
| 1995 | Vairayen Vairaya | ||
| Inspector Geetha | |||
| Cheriyo Captain | Rahal | ||
| 1996 | Veediye Veeraya | ||
| Sebae Mithura | |||
| Bawa Sasara | |||
| 1997 | Duwata Mawaka Misa | ||
| 1998 | Vimukthi | ||
| Eya Obata Barai | |||
| Dorakada Marawa | Priyantha | ||
| 2000 | Sanda Yahanata | Jagath Hathurusinghe | [8] |
| Rajya Sevaya Pinisai | Minister Janaka Situbandara | ||
| Pem Kekula | Jerome | [9] | |
| Chakraayudha | |||
| 2001 | Oba Koheda Priye | George Madanayake | [10] |
| 2002 | Somy Boys | Sanath | |
| Agnidahaya | Ambanwala Rala | ||
| 2003 | Wekande Walauwa | Gunapala | |
| Sudu Kaluwara | Seemon Fernando 'Mudalali' | ||
| Sakman Maluwa | Tissa | Sarasaviya Awards - Best Actor | |
| Le Kiri Kandulu | Asela | ||
| 2004 | Kangalal Kaidhu Sei | Pratap | Tamil film |
| Selamuthu Pinna | Sanath Sir | [11] | |
| Randiya Dahara | Colonel Chanuka Hettiarachchi | ||
| Mille Soya | Sagara | ||
| Diya Yata Gindara | Sampath Harischandra | [12] | |
| 2005 | Sulanga | Senarathne | |
| Asani Warsha | Minister Sirimanne | ||
| Sudu Kalu Saha Alu | Assa Peter | ||
| 2006 | Nilambare | Nimal | |
| Anjalika | Clifford Imbulgoda | ||
| Ammawarune | Doctor | ||
| Naga Kanya | Saman | ||
| 2007 | Asai Man Piyabanna | Sapumal Senadheera | |
| Aganthukaya | Chief Minister Simon Galagedara | ||
| 2008 | Rosa Kale | Mr. Sooriyabandara | |
| Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai | |||
| Nil Diya Yahana | Minister | ||
| Adaraye Namayen | |||
| Superstar | Ranjith Bandara | ||
| Siri Raja Siri | Principal | ||
| 2009 | Kanyavi | Janaka | |
| Ekamath Eka Rateka | as director/screenplay writer | ||
| Dancing Star | |||
| Alimankada | Major Kiriella | ||
| Ali Surathal | Rathnayaka | ||
| 2010 | Uththara | Minister Niwanthudawa | |
| Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe | cameo role | ||
| Mago Digo Dai | Minister Sathyapala | ||
| Kawulu Dora | [13] | ||
| Hadawatha Mal Yayai | |||
| 2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Gam Muladani | |
| King Hunther | Nayakathuma | ||
| Gamani | Military Officer | ||
| Angara Dangara | Principal Pathirana | ||
| 2012 | Sihinaya Dige Enna | Father | |
| 2013 | Doni | Bandu | |
| Ira Laga Wadi | Saliya | ||
| Super Six | Preme, Sanath's brother | ||
| 2014 | Samige Kathawa | ||
| Parapura | Minister Marasinghe | ||
| Kalpanthe Sihinayak | Mapa | ||
| 2015 | Sinhaya | Minister | |
| Sinahawa Atharin | Wimal | as scriptwriter and Ddrector | |
| Pravegaya | Police Officer | guest appearance | |
| 2017 | Pani Makuluwo | Ranaweera | |
| 2019 | Sangile | Punchi Malli | |
| Thiththa Aththa | [14] | ||
| Rush | Prof. Madugalle | [15] | |
| President Super Star | Judge Daham Daranagama | [16] | |
| 2021 | Wassane Sihinaya | [17] | |
| Uthuru Sulanga | [18] | ||
| 2023 | Guththila | [19] | |
| Nattami Army | |||
| Rider | |||
| 2024 | Ridee Seenu | [20] | |
| Kambili | cameo | ||
| 2025 | Rani | Lalith Athulathmudali | |
| TBA | Yodhayange Adawiya † | filming[21] | |
| TBA | Monara Vilak † | post-production[22] | |
| TBA | Suvisi Vivarana † | [23] | |
| TBA | Kalpana † | [24] |
Selected television serials
- Deweni Inima
- Nannaththara
- Ran Kahawanu
- Ralla Weralata Adarei
References
- ^ "Sanath Gunathilake's epiphanies". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "Sanath Gunathilaka who did not die to bring 'Aravinda' to life". Silumina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "'Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "All about Viragaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ "All about Kedapathaka Chaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. May 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "All about "Mahesh"". sarasaviya. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "A film off the beaten track". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "New faces in 'Salamuthu Pinna'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ "CEL's first production: 'Diya Yata Gindara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "'Kavulu Dora' opens for public". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "The story of Walisinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- ^ "Arrival of a filmmaker who owns the future". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ "The presidential stage where four people are competing". Sarasaviya. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "The Separating Time Cycle 'Wassane Sihinaya'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "The story of a young man in the south caught in the north wind". Sarasaviya. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Tale of Guththila becomes a cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "The silver bells are finished". සරසවිය. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "යෝධයන්ගේ අඩවිය වැඩ ඇරැඹේ". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- ^ "Malini with Sanath after 14 years". Sarasaviya. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ "සිත් මල විකසිත සිතුවිලි නර්තනය සූවිසි විවරණ". Sarasaviya. February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ "කල්පනා වැඩ අරඹයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
External links
- "Sanath Gunathilaka". nfc.gov.lk.
- "Sanath Gunathilaka - Sinhala Cinema Database". films.lk.
- "Sanath Gunathilaka". IMDb.
- මංගල තෑග්ගේ දෙවැනි ගමන
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