Galhenage Rathnapala Perera (born 13 November 1939 ජී. ආර්. පෙරේරා [Sinhala]) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre, and television. He has acted in more than 600 television serials, with a career spanning for over five decades.[1]
G.R Perera | |
---|---|
ජී.ආර්. පෙරේරා | |
Born | Galhenage Rathnapala Perera (1939-11-13) 13 November 1939 (age 82) Kirulapana, Sri Lanka |
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Education | Kotahena Prince College, Colombo 13 |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1961–present |
Children | 3 |
Rathnapala Perera was born on 13 November 1939 in Kirulapone as the eldest of the family. The family soon shifted to Egodawatta, Boralesgamuwa. He has two younger brothers and one younger sister. His father was a businessman and a gambling addict.[2] His mother was a teacher. He received his education from Rattanapitiya Ananda Vidyalaya and Kotahena Prince College, Colombo 13.[3]
His wife is a teledrama producer.[2] The couple has two daughters and one son. His youngest daughter, Yamuna Erandathi, is a teledrama actress and an honours graduate in Information Technology.[4]
He was introduced into the drama by his close friend and renowned dramatist Tissa Abeysekara.[3] Abeysekara along with Perera and Prema Ranjith Thilakaratna, Dharmasiri Wickramaratna, Wickrama Bogoda formed a drama group Ape Kattiya led by dramatist Sugathapala de Silva. He acted in the stage drama Boarding Karayo made by the group.[4] The drama won the award for the Best Drama in 1961 State Drama Festival. In 1962, he played a minor role in the stage play Ranthodu directed by Dharmasiri Wickramaratna. In 1963, he acted in Premaranjith Tilakaratne's debut play Waguru Bima.[3] He has acted in seven stage plays.[2]
He started film career with 1971 film Welikathara directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe with a minor role.[3] His first major role came in his second film of the career, Kalu Diya Dahara directed by Manik Sandarasagara. His maiden television acting came through the serial Thunkal Sihinaya directed by Tissa Abeysekara. His role "Malakada Bass" in the serial Doo Daruwo was the turning point of his teledrama career.[4] He has acted in six foreign films which include three Indian, two American, and one German film.[3]
Year | Film | Roles | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Welikathara | Tarzan Kumara | |
1975 | Kalu Diya Dahara | ||
1980 | Karumakkarayo | Siyadoris | [58] |
1987 | Viragaya | Veddah Mudalali | [59] |
1996 | Sihina Deshayen | ||
1998 | Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli | Doorway shooting victim | [60] |
1999 | Padadaya | [61] | |
1999 | Sathya Devi | Veda Mahaththaya | |
2000 | Sanda Yahanata | Farmer | [62] |
2001 | Aswesuma | Arnolis | [63] |
2002 | Parliament Jokes | Father of three sons | [64] |
2002 | Sudu Sewaneli | [65] | |
2002 | Surapurata Kanyaviyak | [66] | |
2003 | Sonduru Dadabima | Kamal's father | [67] |
2003 | Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak | [68] | |
2003 | Mother Theresa | House lender | |
2004 | Sooriya Arana | Village headman | [69] |
2004 | Rajjumala | [70] | |
2004 | Randiya Dahara | Loan agent | [71] |
2005 | Samantha | ||
2006 | Anjalika | [72] | |
2008 | Super Star | [73] | |
2008 | Sandalu Thalen Eha | [74] | |
2010 | Kawulu Dora | [75] | |
2010 | Kshema Bhoomi | Ralahamy | [76] |
2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Veda Mahaththaya | [77] |
2011 | Mahindagamanaya | Chapman of King's House | [78] |
2012 | Midnight's Children | Astrologer | |
2013 | Nikini Vassa | [79] | |
2014 | Siri Daladagamanaya | [80] | |
2014 | Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano | Manamperi | [81] |
2015 | Maharaja Ajasath | Mahamathya | [82] |
2018 | Nidahase Piya DS | Don Spater Senanayake | [83] |
TBD | Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo | [84] | |
TBD | Sooriyaa | ||
TBD | Suvisi Vivarana |
In 1980, he won a critic award for the role in movie Karumakkarayo.[4] In 2007, he won the award for Best Supporting Actor for the role in the teleplay Chakrayudaya. He won the award for acting in the most number of teledramas at Raigam Tele'es.[85]