fiction.wikisort.org - Actor

Wilson Gunaratne (born March 9, 1949, as විල්සන් ගුණරත්න [Sinhala]) is an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. He is most notable for the role Kodithuwakku in television comedy sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and stage drama Charitha Atak. It is the only stage play in Sri Lanka in which one actor portrays eight different characters with eight different voices.[1]

Wilson Gunaratne විල්සන් ගුණරත්න
Born	(1949-03-09) 9 March 1949 (age 73) Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Kalutara Vidyalaya
Occupation	Actor, comedian, director
Years active	1983 – present

Acting career

At that time when he was working in an executive position in the field of hotel management, Gunaratne met Tony Ranasinghe through his elder brother. Under his guidance, Gunaratne made a minor role in a scene shot in the hotel premises for a film. Then Tony nominated Gunaratne for the role of the 'Duke' in Shakespeare's translation stage play Veniciye Welenda directed by playwright Bandula Vithanage. The play made the turning point of his acting career. Later he performed in two of Vithanage's plays: Sakala Jana, Muhuṇu Dekak. Meanwhile, he did a scientific study of comedy at IFT, an affiliate of the University of Noida, New Delhi.[2]

He was introduced to teledrama under the guidance of former parliamentary translator and actor Alfred Perera. Alfred has worked in China and the Philippines Radio. He invited Gunaratne to the orchestra for the popular television serial Vinoda Samaya program aired by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the drummer of that program.[3] His maiden cinema acting came through film Samuganimi Ma Samiyani directed by his elder brother. Then he got a chance to play in his brother's second directed film Sasaraka Pethuma.[3]

Gunaratne was highly popularized with the television sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni through the character Kodithuwakku.[4] In the meantime, he acted in the serial Sathpura Wasiyo with the role "Pappa" which made his hallmark in drama career.[3] Apart from that, he produced a political comedy stage drama titled Charitha Hathak, which was later updated into Charitha Atak.[5] Since its opening, Charitha Hathak has completed 37 shows within eight months. His seven characters include, Kodituwakku from "Nonava-runi Mahatvaruni", Pappa, Prof. Pragnaratne, Transport Teacher Mr. Bastian, Prof. Marenzie (Italian).

In 1998, he made first directorial debut with the television political satire Kodivinaya telecast by ITN.[6]

Selected stage dramas

• Charitha Hathak[7]
• Charitha Atak[8]

Selected television serials

• Bhavana - Amuttha[9]
• Charitha Dekak[10]
• Hathara Wate[11]
• Kinihiraka Pipi Mal [12]
• Kodivinaya
• Kiyadenna Adare Tharam
• Kula Kumariya [13]
• Kulavilokanaya[14]
• Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni
• Kathura
• Sadisi Tharanaya [15]
• Vinivindimi[16]
• Willy King Show
• Yes Madam

Filmography

• No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[17]

Year	No.	Film	Roles	Ref.
1983	552	Samuganimi Ma Samiyani
1985	611	Adara Kathawa
1986	646	Koti Waligaya
1987	656	Sathyagrahanaya	Lockout orator	[18]
1990	698	Thanha Asha
1991	722	Keli Madala	Office Ranjani greeter
1998	890	Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli	Paththini Charles	[19]
1999	922	Theertha Yathra		[20]
2000	944	Pem Kekula	Jayathunga	[21][22]
2003	1003	Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna	Garage owner	[23]
2012	-	A Common Man	Prakash Kumar	[24]
2012	1183	Jeevithe Lassanai	Jayasundara, Wishwa's father	[25]
2013	1193	Kauda Machan Alice		[26]
2013	1196	Samanala Sandhawaniya	Danny, Vadisha's Manager	[27]
2013	1197	Double Trouble		[28]
2013	1184	Sri Siddhartha Gautama	Sage Asitha	[29]
2015	1230	None Mage Sudu None	Hector	[30]
2017	1276	Ali Kathawa	Maha Amathi	[31]
2018	1304	Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara	Sage Asitha	[32]
2019	1322	Thaala	Secretary Senaratne	[33]
2019		President Super Star	J.R. Jayawardena dummy	[34]
2020		Suparna	Professor	[35]
TBD		Eka Gei Sokari		[36]

References

External links

• Wilson Gunaratne's Charitha Atak
• Charitha Atak for a stress free evening
• චරිත අටක් මවන එකම චරිතය

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