fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Ronnie Luke Leitch (19 October 1953 – 1 October 2018 as රොනී ලීච්),[1] better known as Ronni Leitch and Thattaya, was a Sri Lankan actor,[2] comedian, singer, presenter and a social activist. Largely popularized as a comedian, Leitch was a singer, having gained fame for singing over 350 songs.[3] His most notable songs include "Thattaya" and "Kauda Bole Alice".[4]

Ronnie Leitch රොනී ලීච්
Born	Ronnie Luke Leitch (1953-10-19)October 19, 1953 Dehiwela, Sri Lanka
Died	1 October 2018(2018-10-01) (aged 64) Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Other names	Thattaya
Occupation	Dramatist, Actor, Singer, Comedian, Television presenter
Years active	1972–2018
Spouse(s)	Yvette Leitch ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	Keshan Leitch Keshia Leitch
Website	https://ronnie-leitch.webs.com

Family

Leitch was born on 19 October 1953 in Dehiwela. His father died on 26 December 2017 and funeral took place on 27 December at 4:00 p.m at the Mount Lavinia Cemetery.[5]

He married his childhood sweetheart, Yvette in 1986, and is the father of daughter Keshia and son Keshan.[6] Leitch met Yvette first in 1974 in Bellanvila, when their homes were situated in close proximity to each other. They married on 7 June 1986. Their first child, Keshia was born on 17 September 1989.[7] Keshia married on 8 June 2017.[8] Keshia is a past pupil of Bishop's College, Colombo and Keshan is an old boy of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.[9]

Career

Since the age of 8 years old, Leitch made his foray into the entertainment industry by participating in an All Island Talent Contest.[10] Leitch also worked in the Defense Ministry for six years at the time of his daughter's birth.[8]

Before entering acting, Leitch performed as a singer in many outdoor and indoor musical shows.[11] He engaged with many musical bands in early 1980s,[12] such as Pioneers, Haze, Super Golden Chimes and Super Stars.[10][13] He had his first overseas tour in 1986 with the band Super Stars. In 1989, he rose to prominence by singing his most famous solo, Thattaya. He performed the song by invitation of The Gypsies band leaders Sunil Perera and Piyal Perera.[8][14] With the huge popularity of the song, he decided to bald his head.

Leitch performed in many duets with Corrine Almeida and Mariazelle Gunathilake, which became popular hits such as Atha Mita Kasi Panam.[15]

Apart from acting and singing, Leitch entered television hosting with the children's program Poddange Weda which was telecasted by Sirasa TV in 2016.

Leitch was an active social activist where he was involved in charity work and donations all across the country.[16] On 7 August 2010, he performed a musical night A Roaring Evening with Ronnie Leitch organized by The Lions Club of Athurugiriya Millennium City to raise the funds for financing community service projects.[17]

Leitch helped the Old Thomian Swimming Club (OTSC) of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in all musical "happenings" for consecutive 12 years, and also at Royal-Thomian Big Match in the OTSC Tent with the band Wild Flowers.[18]

Death

Ronnie Leitch died on 1 October 2018 in Perth, whilst on a musical tour of Australia.[19] The cause of the death was revealed as cardiac arrest.[20] His remains were brought to back to Sri Lanka on 10 October and kept at Jayaratne Florists for final rites. The body was finally buried at the Borella Cemetery on 11 October.[21]

Filmography

Starting with Athin Athata in 1973, Leitch performed as a comedian in many films.[22] His most notable films are Re Daniel Dawal Migel and Cheriyo film series. His last film acting came through 2018 film Yama Raja Siri, where he acted as one of the main protagonists.

Year	Film	Role	Note
1983	Athin Athata	Guitarist	[23]
1986	Yali Hamuwennai	Guitarist
1986	Dushyanthi	Jagath
1996	Cheriyo Darling	Meda Kess	Playback singing [24]
1997	Savithrige Rathriya
1997	Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor	Hari
1997	Ninja Sri Lanka
1998	Re Daniel Dawal Migel	Cobra helper
2000	Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2	Cobra helper	[25]
2000	Pem Kekula		[26]
2001	Sellan Kukka		[27]
2001	Jack And Jill		Playback singing
2001	Kinihiriya Mal	Mr. Shopman	Playback singing[28]
2001	Hai Hui Babi Achchi	Malu Kade Jora 'Wickramabahu Podi Appu'
2001	Jonsun and Gonsun	Thatta Sira
2002	Onna Babo	Mingwa	Playback singing
2002	Love 2002
2003	Sepata Dukata Sunny	Charlie
2003	Numba Nadan Apita Pissu	Mr. Balthazar
2004	Clean Out	Japan Thattaya
2004	Jolly Boys	Tricked beachgoer
2006	Rana Hansi
2008	Ali Pancha Mage Mithura
2008	Ai Oba Thaniwela
2009	Leader
2010	Mago Digo Dai	Dhanawansa	[29]
2010	Thank You Berty	Munidasa
2011	Ethumai Methumai
2011	It's a Matter of Love	Jennifer's father	[30][31]
2013	Kauda Machan Alice	Thattaya	Playback singing
2013	Raja Horu	Manager
2014	Kosthapal Punyasoma	Businessman
2015	Lantin Singho		Playback singing
2015	My Name Is Bandu	OIC
2016	Natannethuwa Dinna	Gunda	Playback singing
2017	Jolly Boys 2	Jimmy
2017	Sellam Nethnam Lellam
2017	Dr. Nawariyan	Dhanapala
2018	Yama Raja Siri	King Yama	Last screened film before death
2018	Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru	Police Inspector	Posthumous release
TBD	Elakandiye Marcus		[32]
TBD	Akasa Palama		[33]

Discography

Albums

Thattaya [34]
Tharu Wassa

Solo Tracks

References

External links

• Ronnie Leitch at IMDb
• Rony Leech songs at Sarigama
• ඒ සිනහව අද කඳුළකටහැර වූ රොනී

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