Dehipitiyage Don Somasiri (January 29, 1933 – April 27, 1982), popularly known as Somasiri Dehipitiya, was a popular Sri Lankan character actor. He is best known for performances in Dharmasena Pathiraja and Vasantha Obeysekera films.
Personal life Dehipitiya was born on January 29, 1933, in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. His father, Wilson Dehipitiya worked in the Railway Department. His mother Catherine Wingasinghe was a housewife. He completed education from Gampaha Primary School and later at Galahitiyawa Central College. After completing his primary education, he began work as a civil servant eventually reaching a position at the Vehicles Department - Colombo in the engineer division. While appearing in cinema and theatre, he professionally worked as a store keeper in the Irrigation Department.
His younger brother, Chandrasiri Dehipitiya was also a renowned actor, art director and sculptor. Chandrasiri was the artistic director of the film 'Ves Gatto'. He was also a member of the choir in the play 'Maname'. Chandrasiri died on 9 December 2020. Dehipitiya was married to his longtime partner Rupa Ranasinghe who worked as a dance teacher in government schools and also acted as a dancer in about four films including Laa Dalu and Akkara Paha. He was a father of one son: Damith Sirilal, and one daughter: Nayananjali, who specializes in advertising as well as film costume design. Damith is a Regional Manager at a private bank who is three years older than Nayananjali.
In 1981, he suffered from jaundice. He died of alcoholism in 1982.
Career He displayed his artistic talents since the age of ten, where in 1951 he greeted the then Prime Minister DS Senanayake with a warm welcome who came to his college. He later moved to drama and later won the Best Actor award for his role in Manamula at the 1954 School Drama Competition. Somasiri then entered radio at a young age with many talents. He once played the flute and at one time exhibited his talents as a radio dramatist. Meanwhile, veteran radio artist Gemunu Wijesuriya saw his talent and took steps to introduce Somasiri to the public stage.
He started to act in stage plays such as Mati Karaththaya, Rathnawali produced by P. Welikala as well as Mahagamasekera's Kundalakeshi, Swarnahansi. Then he joined Ediriweera Sarachchandra for his numerous stage plays such as Pabawathi, Raththaran, Elowa Gihin Melowa Awa and Kundala Keshi. Then he acted in Dayananda Gunawardena's Ibi Katta, Amathi Pattama, and Neil Wijesinghe's Ane Massine.
Dehipitiya made his acting debut in Siri Gunasinghe's landmark Sath Samudura in 1967. Throughout the 1970s and early-1980s, he was a mainstay in alternative cinema with roles in such critically acclaimed works as Thun Man Handiya (1970), Ves Gatho (1970), Hara Lakshaya (1971), Ahas Gauwa (1974), Sihasuna (1974), Walmath Wuvo (1977), Deviyani Oba Koheda (1977), Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1977), Bambaru Awith (1978), Anupama (1978), Sarungale (1979), Podi Malli (1979), Siribo Aiyya (1980), Para Dige (1980), Karumakarayo (1980), Soldadu Unnahe (1981), Sagarayak Meda (1981) and Ridi Nimnaya (1982).
Dehipitiya also dabbled as an assistant director with Ves Gatho in 1970 and as a playback singer in Walmath Wuvo with Cyril Wickramage. In 1980, Dehipitiya won the award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in Siribo Ayya in Presidential Award Ceremony.
Legacy The 40th Commemoration Ceremony was held on Saturday 23rd at 3.00 pm at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation. After that, the film Diyamanthi was screened.
Filmography
Year Film Role Ref. 1967 Sath Samudura Peter 1970 Thun Man Handiya Jamis 1970 Wes Gaththo Somey 1971 Haara Lakshaya Seney's brother-in-law 1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Pearli's father 1973 Dahakin Ekek Consoling Villager 1973 Sadahatama Oba Mage 1974 Ahas Gauwa Somey 1974 Sihasuna Kirigora 1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Danapala 'Dannaya' 1974 Dinum Kanuwa 1974 Kalyani Ganga Fisherman 1974 Sagarika 1975 Aese Idiripita 1975 Lassana Dawasak Somey 1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa 1976 Saradielge Putha Mudalithuma 'Mudaliyar' 1976 Mangala 1976 Nilla Soya 1976 Walmath Wuwo Somadasa 1976 Diyamanthi Kushan Gunawardena 'Kojath Gune' 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Jamis 1977 Pembara Madhu 1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Bootlegger 1977 Chandi Putha Cyril 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Piyadasa 'Mudalali' 1978 Asha Dasin 1978 Selinage Walawwa Simon 'Aiyya' 1978 Veera Puran Appu Puran Appu's brother 1978 Bambaru Avith Anton's friend 1978 Kumara Kumariyo William 1978 Anupama Mudalali 1979 Sarungale Mr. Jayasekara 1979 Visihathara Peya Jothindra 1980 Jodu Walalu 1980 Kanchana 1980 Siribo Ayya Bandulahamy 1980 Parithyagaya Jayathilaka's uncle 1980 Para dige 1980 Karumakkarayo Weladum Mahathaya 1981 Valampuri 1981 Soldadu Unnehe 1981 Vajira Vajira's father 1981 Sagarayak Meda Jailed abortion doctor 1981 Sathara Diganthaya 1981 Samawenna Peter 1982 Re Manamali Manori's father 1982 Sakvithi Suwaya Mr. Gunawardena 'Gune' 1982 Ridee Nimnaya 1982 Yahalu Yeheli Kalu Diyonis 1983 Sandamali Appuhamy 1983 Sumithuro Suranga's father 1983 Niliyakata Pem Kalemi Brucle 'Mudalali' 1983 Bonikka Duncan Wickremasinghe 1984 Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa 1984 Batti 1985 Karadiya Walalla
References
External links Sri Lanka Sinhala Films Database - Somasiri Dehipitiya