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 and later held the position of media head for President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

This biography includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2016)

This biography may need cleanup. (June 2016)

Quick Facts Born, Education ...

Sanath Gunathilake
Born	Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake (1955-10-27) 27 October 1955 (age 69) Kandy, Sri Lanka
Education	Kingswood College
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1978–present
Known for	Sinhala cinema in 1980s and 90s

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

Key
†	Denotes films that have not yet been released

More information Year, Film ...

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
2002	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
2007	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]
2021	Uthuru Sulanga		^[18]
2023	Guththila		^[19]
	Nattami Army
	Rider
2024	Ridee Seenu		^[20]
2024	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

[1]
"Sanath Gunathilake's epiphanies". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
[2]
"Sanath Gunathilaka who did not die to bring 'Aravinda' to life". Silumina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
[3]
"'Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
[4]
"All about Viragaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
[5]
"All about Kedapathaka Chaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
[6]
"All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. May 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
[7]
"All about "Mahesh"". sarasaviya. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
[8]
"A film off the beaten track". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
[9]
"'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
[10]
"'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
[11]
"New faces in 'Salamuthu Pinna'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
[12]
"CEL's first production: 'Diya Yata Gindara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
[13]
"'Kavulu Dora' opens for public". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
[14]
"The story of Walisinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
[15]
"Arrival of a filmmaker who owns the future". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
[16]
"The presidential stage where four people are competing". Sarasaviya. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
[17]
"The Separating Time Cycle 'Wassane Sihinaya'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
[18]
"The story of a young man in the south caught in the north wind". Sarasaviya. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
[19]
"Tale of Guththila becomes a cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
[20]
"The silver bells are finished". සරසවිය. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
[21]
"යෝධයන්ගේ අඩවිය වැඩ ඇරැඹේ". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
[22]
"Malini with Sanath after 14 years". Sarasaviya. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
[23]
"සිත් මල විකසිත සිතුවිලි නර්තනය සූවිසි විවරණ". Sarasaviya. February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
[24]
"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.
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