Garanduwa Baarage Palitha Silva (born August 30, 1967 as පාලිත සිල්වා) [Sinhala]) is a Sri Lankan actor, dramatist, producer, director, scriptwriter and author.[1][2] He started his career at 15 years of age when he was chosen to train at the esteemed Professor Solomon Fonseka's school of Acting. Silva has acted in more than 400 television serials[3] and is best known for the roles in teledramas Keetaya, Deweni Inima and titular character in the biographical film Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano.[4] He was awarded the honorific titles of Maanava Hithavadee Keerthi Sri Veeraputra Deshabandu in (June, 2019) and Kalaashubana Janaranjana Keerthi Sri Deshamanya (July,2021) for his service towards Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He was also cast in the international film Shadow of the Cobra Starring Art Malik, Michael Woods and Arthur Dignam.
Palitha Silva පාලිත සිල්වා | |
---|---|
Born | Garanduwa Baarage Palitha Silva (1967-08-31) 31 August 1967 (age 55) Sri Lanka |
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1984–present |
Spouse | Namalee Silva |
Children | 4 |
Awards | Best Actor/ most popular actor |
He is married to longtime partner, Namalee Silva. She is the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the Marketing Division of Sri Lanka Insurance. She went to Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo. Then Namalee graduated with a marketing degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London. She knew Palitha since 10 years of age. They both lived in the same village, Mount Lavinia and both attended the same Dhamma School , Mount Lavinia Dhammodaya Dhamma School.[5]
His entry to theater and drama came through Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's drama Ekadhipathy. Winning his first state youth award for script writing, directing and acting in Thawath ek wiroopiyek, at the young age of 16, in 1983, at 18 years old, he went on to act in Sri Lanka's most critically acclaimed stage drama Sargent Nallathambi alongside Nihal Silva. .[6] Silva also studied and acted under the director ship of Helena Lehtimäki in her productions of Bertolt Brecht's Mr Puntila and his Man Matti and William Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dreams. In 1988, Silva was nominated for the best actor award at the National State Drama festival for playing the character of Estragon in a production of Samuel Beckette's Waiting for Godot. In 1994, Silva won the Best Actor Award at the State Drama festival for Kaspa.
In 1984, his maiden theater direction came through the play Ballangen Pravesam Wenu.[3], the play gained much awards and accolades at the National Youth Drama festival. He also directed stage plays for many schools such as Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He has also worked with many British and German dramatists.[3]
After 28 years, he directed another stage play called Circus Karayo, which was first present at Lionel Wendt Theater on 31 July 2012.[3]
In 1998, Silva directed the tele film, Amuththek Awith which won awards. In 2000, he directed Thrasthawadinge Ghathanaya for Swarnavahini.[3] He became more popular through the drama mystery television serial Keetaya which was telecasted on Independent Television Network. Currently, he acting in the soap opera Deweni Inima as cricket coach.[10]
He worked as the Workshop director of The Young Learners' Center at the British Council. [82] He stated that his greatest ambition is to be a writer. He has published two novels, E Deegeka Giyaya in 1998 and the Athek Barata Henduvak on 8 October 2004.[6] He also works as director, scriptwriter and a lecturer on cinematography.
Silva started his film career with Kawuluwa in 1987, directed by Jackson Anthony with a minor role.[83] His most popular cinema acting came through films Sir Last Chance, Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano and Maharaja Ajasath.[84] The role in Maharaja Ajasath as Arahat Devadatta was highly praised by the critics.
Year | No. | Film | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | 663 | Kawuluwa | ||
1993 | 771 | Sargent Nallathambi | Nanapala | |
1994 | 796 | Ekada Wahi | ||
1994 | 800 | Nohadan Landune | ||
1995 | 837 | Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya | ||
1995 | 831 | Maruthaya | Dinesh | |
1996 | 850 | Sihina Desayen | ||
1996 | 858 | Hiru Sanduta Medi Wee | ||
1998 | 890 | Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli | Willie | [86] |
1999 | 924 | Seetha Sameere | Janaka | [87] |
2000 | 942 | Sanda Yahanata | [88] | |
2000 | 943 | Anuragaye Ananthaya | Kamal Kanchana Swarnadipathi | [89] |
2003 | 1009 | Le Kiri Kandulu | Prosecutor | [90] |
2003 | 1013 | Sudu Kaluwara | Dingiri Banda | [91] |
2005 | 1056 | Sulanga | Siripala | [92] |
2006 | 1081 | Ammawarune | AGA officer | [93] |
2008 | 1107 | Walapatala | Chartin | [94] |
2009 | 1122 | Sir Last Chance | Don Ladan 'George Washingpowder' | [95] |
2010 | 1136 | Kshema Bhoomi | Anura Suriyabandara | [96] |
2010 | 1144 | Ira Handa Yata | Lieutenant Silva | [97] |
2010 | Kawulu Dora | [98] | ||
2011 | 1150 | Sinhawalokanaya | Heen Appo | [99] |
2012 | 1170 | Kusa Pabha | King Madu | [100] |
2012 | 1176 | Daruwane | Doctor | [101] |
2012 | 1180 | Prathiroo | Buddhist monk | [102] |
2013 | 1189 | Siri Parakum | King Vijayabahu III | [103] |
2014 | 1211 | Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano | Anagarika Dharmapala | [104] |
2014 | 1209 | Parapura | Police officer Sathyapala | [105] |
2014 | 1218 | Api Marenne Na | Manoj Amarajeewa | [106] |
2015 | 1233 | Maharaja Ajasath | Rev. Devadatta Thero | [107] |
2016 | 1247 | Sinhaya | Sabhapathithuma | [108] |
2017 | 1274 | Nilanjana | Dananjaya | [109] |
2017 | 1277 | Nimnayaka Hudekalawa | Army officer | [110] |
2018 | 1296 | Nela | [111] | |
2018 | 1313 | Nidahase Piya DS | F. R. Senanayake | [112] |
2019 | President Super Star | [113] | ||
TBD | Surangana Lowin Awilla | Jayashan's Father | [114] | |
TBD | Gunananda Himi Migettuwatte | [115] | ||
TBD | Thanapathilage Gedara | [116] | ||
TBD | Adventures of Ricky Deen | Heavies | [117] | |
TBD | Hithumathe Jeewithe | Marasinghe | [118] | |
TBD | Tharu Athara | [119] | ||
TBD | Marukathara | [120] |
He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals, both for acting and direction.[6]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Induru Dora | Best Actor | Nominated | |
Durganathaya | Best Actor | Nominated | |
Gamata Amuththek Avith | Best Stage Actor | Won | |
Gamata Amuththek Avith | Best Single-Episode Director | Won |