fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Lionel Danthanarayana (born 24 August 1940 – died 30 July 1994 as ලයනල් දැරණියගල) [Sinhala]), popularly as stage name Lionel Deraniyagala, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.[1] One of the most popular villain artists ever in Sri Lankan film history, he had a career for more than three decades as the antagonist.[2]

Lionel Deraniyagala
ලයනල් දැරණියගල
Born	Lionel Danthanarayana (1940-08-24)24 August 1940 Galle, Sri Lanka
Died	30 July 1994(1994-07-30) (aged 53) Colombo
Education	Mahinda College
Occupation	Actor, Producer
Years active	1960–1994
Spouse	Thilaka Deraniyagala (m. 1973)
Children	2

Personal life

He was born on 24 August 1940 in Galle as the youngest of the family with three siblings. He completed education from Mahinda College, Galle.

He was married to fellow actress Thilaka in 1973. The couple have one daughter, Priyanthi Shyamali and one son, Chulananda.[3]

In 1975, he was working in the batik industry with his wife. In 1981, he went Middle East for a job.[4] He returned to Sri Lanka in 1983 and continued on businesses.[3]

Deraniyagala fell ill at Ragama rehabilitation hospital after an accident on February 4, 1994. However, he died on 30 July 1994 at the age of 53.[4]

Career

He has acted in minor roles on the school stage. At the age of 14, he met popular film actor and filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne along with his closest friend and eventual film actor Senaka Perera. At that time, Jayamanne was preparing for the film Kale Handa and was looking for a young man to play the role of "John Jayapala". Although Senaka introduced Deraniyagala to Jayamanna, it was age that matters. Jayamanne informed Deraniyagala to meet him after finishing school times. After completing his studies, he came to Colombo to find a job at the age of 20. In 1960, he was selected for the lead role in the film Ekolos Ginna directed by Gilbert Hewavitharana. Hewavitharana changed his birth name Danthanarayana to Deraniyagala. Although the film was not produced, he was left with the name "Deraniyagala".[3]

While working as a booking clerk at Lionel Ceylon Theaters, he met filmmaker Roland Amarasinghe. Amarasinghe asked him to come to Navajeewana Theater for the screen test. He was selected for the lead role of "Udeni" in the 1966 film Kolamba Hadayo with the new actress Shirani Gunatilleke.[4] Meanwhile, he was selected to the stage play Abhimanaya produced by Sudas Masakorala. Then in the 1969 film Mee Masso, he acted along with Gamini Fonseka and Sonia Disa.[3]

Deraniyagala emerged as an antagonist in the 1971 blockbuster film Hathara Denama Soorayo directed by Neil Rupasinghe.[5] After the film, popular actor Eddie Jayamanne appreciated his villain role and said that "You are the best villain after Dommy Jayawardena". Since that, he received several villain roles in popular films Rena Giraw, Ran Onchilla, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Edath Suraya Adath Suraya, Gijulihiniyo, Kesara Sinhayo, Ridee Thella, Kasthuri Suwanda and Raja Kello. He played the lead role in the 1979 film Sawdan Jema bringing a sense of humor. He also played a caricature in the 1973 film Sinawai Inawai and then Deraniyagala played a different role as Gamini Fonseka's brother in the 1978 film Apsara.[3][4]

Deraniyagala acted with his wife in few films including Gijulihiniyo, Vanarayo and Raja Kollo. After had children, his wife quit acting.[3]

He acted in few stage plays such as Suli Sulang and Rella. The film, titled Neethiyada Shakthiyada, was released on 13 January 1995 was screened as Inspector Geetha, where Deraniyagala was the producer.[3][4]

In 1990, Deraniyagala won a Merit Award for the film Randenigala Sinhaya at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.[3][4]

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Ref.
1966	Kolamba Hadayo	Udeni Deraniyagala
1967	Manamalayo
1969	Hari Maga	Percy
1969	Mee Masso
1969	Hathara Peraliya
1970	Akkara Paha	Doctor	[6]
1971	Kesara Sinhayo	Sankara 'Kesara Sinhaya'
1971	Pujithayo	Sidney
1971	Ran Onchilla		[7]
1971	Hathara Denama Surayo	Harry	[8][9]
1971	Samanala Kumariyo
1972	Edath Suraya Adath Suraya	Dickie
1973	Suhada Pethuma		[10]
1973	Sinawai Inawai
1973	Hondai Narakai
1974	Kasthuri Suwanda	Bandara Hamu	[11]
1974	Rodi Gama	Kirivanthey
1975	Pem Kurullo
1975	Gijulihiniyo
1975	Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975	Sadhana
1975	Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975	Hitha Honda Minihek	v
1976	Nayana
1976	Vanarayo
1976	Haratha Hathara
1977	Hithuwakkarayo
1977	Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977	Sajaa
1977	Chin Chin Nona		[12]
1978	Madhuwanthi	Ashok 'Manager'
1978	Apsara
1979	Raja Kollo	Pala
1979	Sawdan Jema	Raja 'Sawdan Jema'
1979	Visihathara Peya	Amare
1980	Sinhabahu
1980	Sabeetha	Mr. Sirisena
1981	Sathkulu Pawwa	Wilbert
1981	Ridee Thalla
1981	Dayabara Nilu	Superintendent 'Loku Mahaththaya'
1982	Anuradha
1982	Sumithuro	Suranga
1983	Loku Thaththa
1985	Mawbima Nathinam Maranaya
1989	Sinasenna Raththaran
1989	Mamai Raja	Ranjith Weerawardena
1989	Randenigala Sinhaya	Hamu
1990	Chandi Raja
1990	Jaya Shakthi
1990	Yukthiyata Wada	Mr. Samaraweera
1991	Paaradise
1991	Cheriyo Doctor	Chance
1991	Aibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991	Bambara Kalapaya
1992	Sathya
1992	Malsara Doni
1992	Sinha Raja
1993	Sasara Sarisarana Thek
1993	Surayan Athara Veeraya	Rohitha 'Boss'
1994	150 Mulleryawa	Jamis Jayatunga 'Mudalali'
1994	Mawbime Veerayo
1995	Chandiyage Putha	Corrupt Inspector
1995	Cheriyo Captain	Partygoer
1995	Inspector Geetha	Ravi
1995	Deviyani Sathya Surakinna	Rex Mayadunna 'Rathu'
2000	Undaya	Seram 'Hamu'
2001	Kolamba Koloppan
2006	Supiri Balawatha
2007	Hai Master

References

External links

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