Cyril Wickramage (born 26 January 1932: Sinhala:සිරිල් වික්‍රමගේ) is an actor and director in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television as well as a singer.[1] Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.[2] Performed as a charismatic actor in all three art forms: stage, cinema, and teledrama, Wickramage is most notable for the dramatic roles in the films, Bambaru Avith, Karumakkarayo, Seilama and Dheewari.[3]

Cyril Wickramage
සිරිල් වික්‍රමගේ
Born (1932-01-26) 26 January 1932 (age 92)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationThurstan College, Colombo
Occupation(s)Actor, Dramatist
Years active1965–present
SpouseWinifreda Perera
Children4
Parents
  • Charles Wickrama (father)
  • Lydia Wickrama (mother)
AwardsBest Supporting Actor

Personal life

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Wickramage was born on 26 January 1932 in Kohila Gedera village, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. His father Charles Wickrama, was a farmer. His mother was Lydia, a daughter of Wel Vidane. Cyril is the fifth sibling in the family with four brothers and four sisters. His father was a dancer and folk drummer in the village. He first walked 9 miles to a school run by the Salvation Army.[4]

At a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University in 1954. During this time, he joined Cyril Perera's Art Institute in Mulgampola, Kandy to study music and learned to play the violin. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Wickramage was drawn to acting.[5] During this time, Wickramage met Somawansa Pattiarachchi who worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation and excelled violin for about two years. In the meantime, he was transferred to Wesley College, Colombo.[3]

He is married to Winifreda Perera, the sister of music director and film actor Vincent Premasiri. The couple has two sons: Chandana, Lakshitha and two daughters: Wathsala, Disala.[3]

Drama career

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During his tenure in Wesley College, he met Sri Jayana, who worked as the dance teacher of the school. Together they produced the ballet Rana Thisara. Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play Muhudu Puththu,[4] his maiden acting in stage dramas. He subsequently appeared in Devatha Eliya, Kuveni, Thavath Udasanak, Dawasak Wenas, Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa, Kada Walallu, Pabawathi, Liyathambara, Natukkaraya, Wes Muhunu, Ahasin Watunu Minissu and Idama.[5] In the play Pabawathi, Wickramage played the role of 'King Okkaka'.[3]

On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a supporting role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura.[4] The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and swept the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee.[5]

In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera and producer Dr. Linus Dissanayake. Year 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo.[3] Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Dr. Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in.[5] The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva.[4]

Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja, appearing in almost all of his films including Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe. The role in Bambaru Awith (1978) in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera in Karumakkarayo - 1980 and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake in Suddilage Kathaawa - 1985.[5]

Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane (directed by Rodney Widanapathirana[6]), Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.[5]

Selected television serials

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  • Andukole
  • Kota Uda Mandira
  • Mihikathage Daruwo
  • Numba Nadana Senehelatha
  • Palingu Manike
  • Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane
  • Sathya[7]

Filmography

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Year Film Roles Ref.
1965 Handapana
1967 Sath Samudura Gunadasa [8]
1969 Mokada Une Paala
1969 Binaramalee Singer [9]
1969 Paara Walalu
1970 Nim Walalla
1970 Wes Gaththo
1972 Sihina Lowak
1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Premadasa
1974 Ahas Gauwa Cyril
1976 Walmathwuwo Saman Weeratunga
1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Fighting card dealer
1978 Selinage Walawwa Samson
1978 Bambaru Awith Cyril
1979 Dutugemunu Dutugemenu
1979 Chuda Manikya Percy Ranatunga
1979 Wisihathara Peya Silva
1980 Karumakkarayo Piyadasa [10]
1981 Soldadu Unnehe Taxi Malli
1984 Parasathuro Ihalagama
1985 Suddilage Kathaawa Romiel [11]
1985 Karadiya Walalla
1987 Mangala Thegga Dhamme
1987 Podi Vijay
1989 Sirimedura Albert
1990 Palama Yata Solomon [12]
1991 Sthree
1992 Kulageya Honeymoon crasher
1994 Ekada Wahi
1994 Ambu Samiyo Piyadasa
1994 Mee Haraka Bus Conductor
1995 Seilama Bande
1995 Maruthaya Dharmawardena
1996 Bithu Sithuwam
1996 Thunweni Aehe
1997 Blendings
1998 Sexy Girl
1999 Nagaran Minister
2000 Anuragaye Ananthaya Dharmasena
2002 Thahanam Gaha
2004 Gini Kirilli
2011 Dheewari
2014 Que Sera
2016 Weerawarna Don Almeida
2016 Sakkarang Pitawela Gurun
2017 Bandhanaya Menik Hami

References

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  1. ^ "I am satisfied with my journey". සරසවිය. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ^ "This image of an actor is broken by me". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e "I still love Helen: Cyril Wickramage". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Cyril Wickramage who paved the way for charismatic actors". Silumina. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Kumara, Nuwan Nayanajith (2005). Sri Lankeya Cinema Vanshaya (Sri Lankan Film Chronicle). Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 955-573-367-8.
  6. ^ https://www.facebook.com/rodney.widanapathirana?fref=ts [user-generated source]
  7. ^ "Muhurath ceremony for 'Sathya'". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  8. ^ "All about "Sath Samudura"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  9. ^ "All about Binaramalee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. ^ "All about the film "Karumakkarayo"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  11. ^ "All about the film "Suddilage Kathawa"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  12. ^ "All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
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