Cyril Wickramage (born 26 January 1932: Sinhala:සිරිල් වික්‍රමගේ) is an actor and director in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television as well as a singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films. Performed as a charismatic actor in all three art forms: stage, cinema, and teledrama, Wickramage is most notable for the dramatic roles in the films, Bambaru Avith, Karumakkarayo, Seilama and Dheewari.

Personal life Wickramage was born on 26 January 1932 in Kohila Gedera village, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. His father Charles Wickrama, was a farmer. His mother was Lydia, a daughter of Wel Vidane. Cyril is the fifth sibling in the family with four brothers and four sisters. His father was a dancer and folk drummer in the village. He first walked 9 miles to a school run by the Salvation Army.

At a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University in 1954. During this time, he joined Cyril Perera's Art Institute in Mulgampola, Kandy to study music and learned to play the violin. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Wickramage was drawn to acting. During this time, Wickramage met Somawansa Pattiarachchi who worked for the National Broadcasting Corporation and excelled violin for about two years. In the meantime, he was transferred to Wesley College, Colombo.

He is married to Winifreda Perera, the sister of music director and film actor Vincent Premasiri. The couple has two sons: Chandana, Lakshitha and two daughters: Wathsala, Disala.

Drama career During his tenure in Wesley College, he met Sri Jayana, who worked as the dance teacher of the school. Together they produced the ballet Rana Thisara. Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play Muhudu Puththu, his maiden acting in stage dramas. He subsequently appeared in Devatha Eliya, Kuveni, Thavath Udasanak, Dawasak Wenas, Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa, Kada Walallu, Pabawathi, Liyathambara, Natukkaraya, Wes Muhunu, Ahasin Watunu Minissu and Idama. In the play Pabawathi, Wickramage played the role of 'King Okkaka'.

On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a supporting role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura. The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and swept the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee.

In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera and producer Dr. Linus Dissanayake. Year 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo. Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Dr. Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in. The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva.

Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja, appearing in almost all of his films including Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe. The role in Bambaru Awith (1978) in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera in Karumakkarayo - 1980 and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake in Suddilage Kathaawa - 1985.

Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane (directed by Rodney Widanapathiranahttps://www.facebook.com/rodney.widanapathirana?fref=ts ), Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.

Selected television serials Andukola Bandara Deiyo Diya Matha Ruwa Ella Langa Walawwa Kande Gedara Kaneru Kota Uda Mandira Laa Hiru Dahasak Maruk Mal Mihikathage Daruwo Numba Nadan Senehelatha Palingu Manike Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane Sathya Sujatha Puthra Udu Viyana

Filmography

Year Film Roles Ref. 1965 Handapana 1967 Sath Samudura Gunadasa 1969 Mokada Une Paala 1969 Binaramalee Singer 1969 Paara Walalu 1970 Nim Walalla 1970 Wes Gaththo 1972 Sihina Lowak 1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Premadasa 1974 Ahas Gauwa Cyril 1976 Walmathwuwo Saman Weeratunga 1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Fighting card dealer 1978 Selinage Walawwa Samson 1978 Bambaru Awith Cyril 1979 Dutugemunu Dutugemenu 1979 Chuda Manikya Percy Ranatunga 1979 Wisihathara Peya Silva 1980 Karumakkarayo Piyadasa 1981 Soldadu Unnehe Taxi Malli 1984 Parasathuro Ihalagama 1985 Suddilage Kathaawa Romiel 1985 Karadiya Walalla 1987 Mangala Thegga Dhamme 1987 Podi Vijay 1989 Sirimedura Albert 1990 Palama Yata Solomon 1991 Sthree 1992 Kulageya Honeymoon crasher 1994 Ekada Wahi 1994 Ambu Samiyo Piyadasa 1994 Mee Haraka Bus Conductor 1995 Seilama Bande 1995 Maruthaya Dharmawardena 1996 Bithu Sithuwam 1996 Thunweni Aehe 1997 Blendings 1998 Sexy Girl 1999 Nagaran Minister 2000 Anuragaye Ananthaya Dharmasena 2002 Thahanam Gaha 2004 Gini Kirilli 2011 Dheewari 2014 Que Sera 2016 Weerawarna Don Almeida 2016 Sakkarang Pitawela Gurun 2017 Bandhanaya Menik Hami

References

External links

මේ රට රැකගන්න නම් ජනාධිපතිතුමන් රැකගන්න ඕනෑ...