Suminda Sirisena Explained

Suminda Sirisena
Birth Name:Suminda Sirisena
Birth Date:4 July 1948
Birth Place:Bossella, Kegalle, Ceylon
Death Place:Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Education:Tholangamuwa Central College
Alma Mater:Open University of Sri Lanka
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Native Name Lang:si
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1966–2012
Father:Bulathgamuwage Singho
Mother:Punchi Nona
Children:2
Spouse:Leela Sirisena
Awards:Kala Keerthi (2017), Kala Bhushana (2014)

Kala Keerthi Suminda Sirisena (Sinhala; Sinhalese: සුමින්ද සිරිසේන; 4 July 1948 – 4 December 2023) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television.[1] A highly versatile actor, Sirisena played a wide range of starring or supporting roles and was a recipient of the Best Actor award at many award festivals.[2] [3] [4]

Personal life

Sirisena was born on 4 July 1948, in Bossella, a rural village in Kegalle, Sri Lanka as the eldest of the family with four siblings.[5] [6] His father, Bulathgamuwage Singho was a small-time businessman in the village who also performed traditional Sri Lankan folk dramas[7] and his mother, Punchi Nona, was a housewife. He had two younger brothers and a younger sister. After having his primary education at the village school Bossella Maha Vidyalaya, he was awarded a scholarship to attend Tholangamuwa Central College in 1963.[8]

After his school education, Sirisena moved to Colombo to join the Sri Lanka Railways as a Special Apprentice in 1969. While establishing his career as an actor in theatre, Sirisena went to Oman in 1970 to work as a quantity surveyor for two years. After returning home, he worked as a technical officer at the Victoria Dam project. Then he went back abroad in 1979 and returned to Sri Lanka in 1984.[9]

Before 1971, he was an activist and continually attended the meetings conducted by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. But as the party entered the process of armed struggle, he quit politics.[10] He obtained a B.A. degree in Social Sciences from the Open University of Sri Lanka and then completed an M.A, degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.[11]

Suminda Sirisena was married to Leela Sirisena. The couple had two sons, Prabhath and Nanditha.

Acting career

At Tholangamuwa Central College, he studied under Ariyawansa Ranaweera, Jayasumana Dissanayake, Daya Alwis and Wijayaratne Athurupane who were scholars and artists who had a major influence on Sri Lankan theatre and arts for many decades. In 1967, Sirisena played the lead role "Kashyapa" in the stage drama Girikūṭa which was selected to the final round of the State School Drama Festival. In 1969, he joined the first batch of students of the theatre school Ranga Shilpa Shalika at Lionel Wendt Art Centre founded by Dhamma Jagoda with the assistance of Daya Alwis.

His first role on the public stage was the role of "Dionis" in the play Mūdu Puththu, which also marked the first appearance of popular cinema actor Ravindra Randeniya. He acted in many stage dramas of the 1970s such as Namel Weeramuni's Vansakkārayō, Ranjith Dharmakeerthy's Hasthi Rāja Mahattayā and Hiru Næti Lova, Dayananda Gunawardene's ānanda Javanikā, Tilak Gunawardena's Kōntha Nōnā, Dhamma Jagoda's Ves Muhuṇu, Jayalath Manoratne's Andarēlā, Guru Tharuva, Bandula Vithanage's Rōmaya Gini Ganī. He made his film acting debut with Duhulu Malak (1976).

After returning to Sri Lanka in 1984, Sirisena was involved in Thilak Gunawardena's dramas. He acted in the plays Sapatheru Hamine by Miyuri Samarasinghe and then in Mī Pura Væsiyō by Somaratne Dissanayake. After completing the studies, he joined the drama group of Ediriweera Sarachchandra and acted in renowned stage dramas such as Manamē, Sinhabāhu, Kadāvaḷalu, Bava Kaḍathurā, and Mahāsāra.[12] In 1993, Sirisena won the Best Actor award for the role in Kadathurawa at the State Drama Festival. In 2002, he formed a drama school called "Siwuranga". He was able to produce four batches of students from that academy. Thereafter he worked as an instructor at the Tower Hall Academy in Colombo. In 1997, he won the best actor award at the State Theater Festival that year for his performance in the play Rōmaya Gini Ganī.

Sirisena's first teledrama was Sihina Nimnaya, produced by Sri Lanka Rupavahini in 1985. He gained wide acclaim for his second teledrama Kumārihāmi, another Rupavahini production, where he played the supporting role of Hichchi Mahaththayā.[13] He later acted in more than 40 teledrama series. His role as "Isaa" in the critically acclaimed serial Charitha Thunak is a hallmark of his television career. He later acted in the serials: Nisalavila, Ramya Suramya, Hada Vila Sakmana as well as in Asalvæsiyō with the role "Jayamangala".

He also acted in many critically notable films such as Saptha Kanya, Yakada Pihatu, Uppalawanna, Samanala Thatu, Uduganyamaya and Ira Handa Yata.[14] [15]

During his illness, he was working with two television serials, Sepalika and Boralu Paara.[16]

Notable stage dramas

Selected television serials

Illness and death

In May 2012, Sirisena was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Colombo National Hospital due to sudden illness and fever.[51] Beginning then, he had difficulties with walking. He was taking physiotherapy treatments at the time of his death. After 2012, Sirisena did not take part in any productions due to illness.[52]

Sirisena died at a private hospital on 4 December 2023, at the age of 75.[53] [54] [55]

Filmography

Year No. Film Role
1976344Duhulu MalakUpali
1980454Dandu MonaraPunchi Mahaththaya
1993770Guru Gedara Wedding guest
1993782Saptha KanyaSarath [57]
20031016Yakada Pihatu Wilson 'Aiyya'
20041038Gini Kirilli[58]
20051247Udugan Yamaya[59]
20051054Samanala ThatuSoththi Martin
20071090UppalawannaVeda Mahaththaya
20071109Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai
20101144Ira Handa YataTrader
20111160GamaniSchool teacher
20131185Bomba Saha RosaMinister Daya

Awards and honours

State Drama Festival, Sri Lanka

|-| 1992| Megha | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 1993| Bavakadathurawa | Best Actor| |-| 1995| Andarela | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 1997| Romaya Gini Gani | Best Actor| |}

State Tele Awards Festival, Sri Lanka

|-| 2007| Punaragamanaya | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 2013| Monara Tenna | Best Supporting Actor| |}

Sumathi Tele Awards, Sri Lanka

|-| 1997| Megha | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 1999| Nisala Wila | Best Actor| |-| 2003| Ransirige Sangramaya | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 2004| Ramya Suramya | Best Actor| |}

Signis Awards, Sri Lanka

See main article: SIGNIS Awards (Sri Lanka).

|-| 1995| Siyapatha | Best Actor| |-| 1995| Isiwara Asapuwa | Best Supporting Actor| |-| 2002| Asani Wesi | Best Actor| |-| 2004| Hadavila Sakmana | Best Actor| |-| 2005| Uttamaviya | Best Actor| |-| 2005| Ginikirillee | Outstanding Performance| |-| 2006| Teth Saha Viyali | Best Actor| |-| 2011| Abarthu Atha | Best Supporting Actor| |}

Raigam Awards, Sri Lanka

|-| 2003| Punchirala [63] | Best Actor| |-| 2018| Excellence of Drama [64] | Special Merit Award| |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Actors of Sinhala cinema – Suminda Sirisena . Sinhala Cinema Database . 11 March 2019.
  2. Web site: Suminda Needs You . Sarasaviya . 11 March 2017.
  3. Web site: Abeykoon . Gayan . 4 December 2023 . Veteran actor Suminda Sirisena passes away . 6 December 2023 . DailyNews . en-US.
  4. Web site: Veteran Actor Suminda Sirisena no more . 6 December 2023 . Times Online . English.
  5. Web site: Actors of Sinhala cinema – Suminda Sirisena . Sinhala Cinema Database . 11 March 2019.
  6. Web site: I have no regrets about life today – Suminda Sirisena . Aruna . 11 March 2019.
  7. News: 11 December 2023. Suminda Sirisena: The Sage of Kokilana. en. The Daily Mirror. Colombo. 11 December 2023.
  8. Web site: Thushi . 4 December 2023 . චරිත තුනක් 'ඉසා'; සුමින්ද සිරිසේන සමුගනී! . 6 December 2023 . mirrorarts.lk . en-gb.
  9. Web site: No work for six year now – Suminda Sirisena . Divaina . 11 March 2019.
  10. Web site: I was a real Isaa in real life – Suminda Sirisena . Lanka News . 11 March 2019.
  11. Web site: Just come to see me – Suminda Sirisena . Mirror Arts . 11 March 2019.
  12. Web site: Breaking through the fourth wall . 6 December 2023 . archives.dailynews.lk.
  13. Web site: Happy Birthday Suminda Sirisena . Hiru FM. 17 July 2019.
  14. Web site: ‘ Uduganyamaya’ on Rupavahini on Sunday . 6 December 2023 . www.sundaytimes.lk.
  15. Web site: Uppalavanna : A contemporary Theri-Gatha Sojourn in a nunnery . 6 December 2023 . archives.sundayobserver.lk.
  16. Web site: Lessons on humanity . 6 December 2023 . archives.dailynews.lk.
  17. Web site: Searching for a lost son . Sunday Times. 17 July 2019.
  18. Web site: 'Angani'; a market for values . Sunday Times . 16 December 2019.
  19. Web site: 'Asani Wesi': portrays a remote village . Sunday Times . 29 November 2019.
  20. Web site: 'Bogala Saundaris' story on exploitation and heroism . Sunday Times. 29 November 2019.
  21. Web site: 'Boralu Para' A plot on a policeman with principle . 19 August 2012. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  22. Web site: 'Chandra Vinsathi': Unravel births of two girls . Sunday Times . 12 December 2019.
  23. Web site: 'Dambulugala Sakmana' on Rupavahini . Sunday Times . 10 December 2019.
  24. Web site: Dangakara Tharu may blossom soon. Sarasaviya . 15 August 2019.
  25. Web site: 'Railway Stories': for a novel journey in teledrama . 21 September 2008. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  26. Web site: 'Ekamath Eka Rataka' to revitalize Lankan folklores . Sunday Times . 13 December 2019.
  27. Web site: 'Ekata Gatuma' deals with the internal micro politic a in a state corporation . Sunday Times . 13 December 2019.
  28. Web site: 'Hatara Wate' deals with routine events . Sunday Times . 29 November 2019.
  29. Web site: 'Jeewithaya Dakinna' : One Episode miniplays on Rupavahini . Sunday Times . 18 August 2019.
  30. Web site: 'Mage Kaviya Mata Denna' : Mano's filmic dream . Sunday Times . 18 August 2019.
  31. Web site: 'Mehew Rate' to bring back folktales . 25 January 2009. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  32. Web site: 'Mindada': A story on trade union and love . Sunday Times . 16 August 2019.
  33. Web site: Monarathenna on Swarnavahini. Sarasaviya . 17 November 2017.
  34. Web site: 'Nadeeladiya': Tale of revenge . Sunday Times . 4 December 2019.
  35. Web site: Paramitha felicitated . 27 July 2008. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  36. Web site: 'Patok Palama':Old theme on a new time belt . Sunday Times . 29 November 2019.
  37. Web site: Sumithra's 'Pipi Pium' on mini screen . 11 March 2007. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  38. Web site: Punaragamanaya; a psychological story . Sunday Times . 4 December 2019.
  39. Web site: 'Ramya Suramya': Two houses full of problems . Sunday Times . 27 November 2019.
  40. Web site: සේපාලිකා සතියේ දින පහේම . Sarasaviya . 29 March 2019.
  41. Web site: 'Sanda Amawakai': Prasanna's latest tele venture for 2001 . Sunday Times . 23 September 2019.
  42. Web site: 'Sanda Dev Diyani': A tale of courage and determination . Daily News . 15 August 2019.
  43. Web site: 'Sanda Nethi Lova' tackles rebirth . Sunday Times . 23 September 2019.
  44. Web site: 'Satya' embarks on social reform and pays with his life . Sunday Times . 19 September 2019.
  45. Web site: 'Sudu Mal Kanda': A love story . Sunday times . 17 November 2017.
  46. Web site: 'Wet and Dry': An emotional tale . Sunday Times . 4 December 2019.
  47. Web site: 'Uththamavi': Travails of a village damsel . Sunday Times. 29 November 2019.
  48. Web site: Top short stories on mini screen . Sunday times . 17 November 2017.
  49. Web site: "Weten Eha", a tale of neighbours . 18 November 2007. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  50. Web site: 'Yasa Isuru' tackles avarice of man . 17 May 2009. Sunday Times . 1 January 2016.
  51. Web site: Suminda Sirisena to Intensive Care . Lanka Truth . 11 March 2019.
  52. News: Samaraweera. Kishani. 15 January 2017. Now That There's Freedom of Expression: Artistes Take Up The Cudgel. Sunday Observer. Colombo. 21 May 2018.
  53. Web site: Veteran actor Suminda Sirisena passes away . 6 December 2023 . www.adaderana.lk . en.
  54. Web site: 4 December 2023 . Veteran actor Suminda Sirisena passed away . 6 December 2023 . NewsWire . en-US.
  55. Web site: 4 December 2023 . සුමින්ද සිරිසේන: දුෂ්කර ගමක ඉපිද රංගනය දිග්විජය කළ රංගධරයෙකුගේ නික්ම යාම . 6 December 2023 . BBC News සිංහල . si.
  56. Web site: Sri Lankan Cinema History . National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka . 9 August 2016.
  57. Web site: Unmada Wu Premadara: Saptha Kanya . 12 January 2021 . sarasaviya.
  58. Web site: Novelist turns director with 'Gini Kirilli' . The Sunday Times . 11 March 2017.
  59. Web site: 'Udugam Yamaya' ready to upstream . Sunday Times . 18 August 2019.
  60. News: 21 March 2017. National Honours — 2017. en. The Daily Mirror. Colombo. 21 March 2017.
  61. News: 19 March 2017. National Honours after 12 years . en. The Sunday Times. Colombo. 2 June 2017.
  62. News: 15 September 2014. ජාතික සංස්කෘතියේ කලා නිකේතනය වූ මහනුවර අංග සම්පූර්ණ රඟහලක් ඉදි කරනවා. We will build a complete theatre in Kandy, the heart of national art and culture. si. දිවයින. Colombo.
  63. Web site: Raigam ready to recognise tele – talents . Sunday Times . 10 December 2019.
  64. Web site: Raigam Tele'es 2017 award winners . Sarasaviya . 29 March 2018.

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