| Ronnie Leitch රොනී ලීච් | |
| Birth Name: | Ronnie Luke Leitch |
| Birth Date: | 19 October 1953 |
| Birth Place: | Dehiwela, Sri Lanka |
| Death Place: | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Nationality: | Sri Lankan |
| Other Names: | Thattaya |
| Occupation: | Dramatist, actor, singer, comedian, television presenter |
| Years Active: | 1972–2018 |
| Children: | Keshan Leitch Keshia Leitch |
| Website: | https://ronnie-leitch.webs.com |
Ronnie Luke Leitch (19 October 1953 – 1 October 2018 as රොනී ලීච්),[1] better known as Ronni Leitch and Thattaya (තට්ටයා), was a Sri Lankan actor,[2] comedian, singer, presenter and social activist. Largely popularized as a comedian, Leitch was also gained fame for singing over 350 songs,[3] most notably "Thattaya" and "Kauda Bole Alice".[4]
Leitch was born on 19 October 1953 in Dehiwela. His father died on 26 December 2017 and the funeral took place on 27 December at 4:00 PM at the Mount Lavinia Cemetery.[5]
He married his childhood sweetheart Yvette in 1986, and is the father of daughter Keshia and son Keshan.[6] Leitch met Yvette first in 1974 in Bellanvila, when their homes were situated in close proximity to each other. They married on 7 June 1986. Their first child, Keshia, was born on 17 September 1989.[7] Keshia married on 8 June 2017.[8] Keshia is a past pupil of Bishop's College, Colombo and Keshan is an old boy of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.He has a sister called Cheryl. [9]
Since the age of eight, Leitch made his foray into the entertainment industry by participating in an All Island Talent Contest.[10] He also worked in the Defense Ministry for six years at the time of his daughter's birth.
Before entering acting, Leitch performed as a singer in many outdoor and indoor musical shows.[11] He engaged with many musical bands in the early 1980s,[12] such as Pioneers, Haze, Super Golden Chimes and Super Stars.[13] He had his first overseas tour in 1986 with Super Stars. In 1989, he rose to prominence by singing his most famous solo, "Thattaya". He performed the song by invitation of The Gypsies band leaders Sunil Perera and Piyal Perera.[14] With the huge popularity of the song, he decided to bald his head.
Leitch performed in many duets with Corrine Almeida and Mariazelle Gunathilake, which became popular hits such as "Atha Mita Kasi Panam".[15]
Apart from acting and singing, Leitch entered television hosting with the children's program Poddange Weda which was telecasted by Sirasa TV in 2016.
Leitch was an active social activist where he was involved in charity work and donations all across the country.[16] On 7 August 2010, he performed a musical night A Roaring Evening with Ronnie Leitch organized by The Lions Club of Athurugiriya Millennium City to raise the funds for financing community service projects.[17]
Leitch helped the Old Thomian Swimming Club (OTSC) of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in all musical "happenings" for 12 consecutive years, and also at Royal-Thomian Big Match in the OTSC Tent with the band Wild Flowers.[18]
Ronnie Leitch died on 1 October 2018 in Perth, while on a musical tour of Australia.[19] The cause of the death was revealed as cardiac arrest.[20] His remains were brought back to Sri Lanka on 10 October and kept at Jayaratne Florists for final rites. The body was finally buried at the Borella Cemetery on 11 October.[21]
Starting with Athin Athata in 1973, Leitch performed as a comedian in many films.[22] His most notable films are Re Daniel Dawal Migel and Cheriyo film series. His last film acting was in the 2018 film Yama Raja Siri, where he portrayed one of the main protagonists.
| Year | Film | Role | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Athin Athata | Guitarist | [23] | |
| 1986 | Yali Hamuwennai | Guitarist | ||
| 1986 | Dushyanthi | Jagath | ||
| 1996 | Cheriyo Darling | Meda Kess | Playback singing [24] | |
| 1997 | Savithrige Rathriya | |||
| 1997 | Hari | |||
| 1997 | Ninja Sri Lanka | |||
| 1998 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel | Cobra helper | ||
| 2000 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 | Cobra helper | [25] | |
| 2000 | Pem Kekula | [26] | ||
| 2001 | Sellan Kukka | [27] | ||
| 2001 | Jack And Jill | Playback singing | ||
| 2001 | Kinihiriya Mal | Mr. Shopman | Playback singing[28] | |
| 2001 | Hai Hui Babi Achchi | Malu Kade Jora 'Wickramabahu Podi Appu' | ||
| 2001 | Jonsun and Gonsun | Thatta Sira | ||
| 2002 | Onna Babo | Mingwa | Playback singing | |
| 2002 | Love 2002 | |||
| 2003 | Sepata Dukata Sunny | Charlie | ||
| 2003 | Numba Nadan Apita Pissu | Mr. Balthazar | ||
| 2004 | Clean Out | Japan Thattaya | ||
| 2004 | Jolly Boys | Tricked beachgoer | ||
| 2006 | Rana Hansi | |||
| 2008 | Ali Pancha Mage Mithura | |||
| 2008 | Ai Oba Thaniwela | |||
| 2009 | Leader | |||
| 2010 | Mago Digo Dai | Dhanawansa | [29] | |
| 2010 | Thank You Berty | Munidasa | ||
| 2011 | Ethumai Methumai | |||
| 2011 | It's a Matter of Love | Jennifer's father | [30] [31] | |
| 2013 | Kauda Machan Alice | Thattaya | Playback singing | |
| 2013 | Raja Horu | Manager | ||
| 2014 | Kosthapal Punyasoma | Businessman | ||
| 2015 | Lantin Singho | Playback singing | ||
| 2015 | My Name Is Bandu | OIC | ||
| 2016 | Natannethuwa Dinna | Gunda | Playback singing | |
| 2017 | Jolly Boys 2 | Jimmy | ||
| 2017 | Sellam Nethnam Lellam | |||
| 2017 | Dr. Nawariyan | Dhanapala | ||
| 2018 | Yama Raja Siri | King Yama | Last screened film before death | |
| 2018 | Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru | Police Inspector | Posthumous release | |
| 2024 | Sihinayaki Adare | Posthumous release | ||
| TBD | Elakandiye Marcus | [32] | ||
| TBD | Akasa Palama | [33] |
| Thattaya [34] | ||
| Tharu Wassa |