Senanayake Mudianselage Ranasinghe Arachchilage Ajantha Sarath Kumara Ranasinghe (30 May 1940 – 27 February 2016), popularly known as Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe, was a Sri Lankan journalist, lyricist, poet, and novelist. Over the course of a 40 year career, he contributed to nearly 60 films and more than 400 songs.
Personal life Ajantha Ranasinghe was born on 30 May 1940 in Thalammahara, a small village in the Kurunegala district, as the second of five siblings. His father was a doctor and his mother was both a teacher and a postmaster. He had one elder sister, two younger sisters, and a younger brother. After obtaining his primary education at the Pannala Government School, he moved to Colombo and resumed his studies at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He left after completing the GCE Ordinary Level Exams.
Ranasinghe was married to Sarojini Weeratunge, the daughter of late singer Kokiladevi Weeratunga. The couple had two children: Saranga and Devalochana.
Journalist career Ranasinghe's uncle Asoka Pieris was a well known dramatist, and he came under his influence and through that got to showcase his talent over the airwaves. At a very young age, Ranasinghe wrote Buddhist songs to the Lama Mandapaya, a program on Radio Ceylon hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. He participated in another program, Radio Magazine, organised by the filmmaker K. A. W. Perera. His first published work, Thivanka Rekha, a poetry collection, came out in 1964.
He wrote poetry and short stories for the children's pages of Silumina and Peramuna. His poetry was frequently published in Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa. Eventually he was selected as a staff reporter at Dinamina. He would graduate from and to the posts of Sub Editor, Local News Editor, Additional Chief Sub Editor, Chief Sub Editor, Features Editor, and Chief Editor of Navayugaya.
Career as a lyricist After three decades in journalism, Ranasinghe began writing lyrics for singers, with his verses becoming popular among the public. He earned several awards during his career, including the Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi, and Kumaratunga Munidasa ceremonies. In addition to being a lyricist, Ranasinghe was also a B Grade Radio Ceylon singer.
Landmarks Awarded a doctorate degree by the International Open University, New Delhi in 1995. 25 years as an Editor at Lake House Provincial News Editor and Local News Editor at Dinamina Features Editor of Janatha Editor in Chief of Nawayugaya Consultant at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) President's Award for Best Song Writer of the Year on three occasions Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism Awards for Excellence Programme, organised by the Editor's Guild of Sri Lanka – 2014 A song festival Ajantha Geethavalokana was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute at Independent Square on 9 May 2002 A collection of his songs released in 2002 in a new cassette and CD titled Kalpana Vijithaya A second CD collection released in 2013 titled Ran Kenden
Death Ranasinghe died at the Colombo National Hospital on 27 February 2016 after an accident three days prior. His remains were kept at No. 11/4, Ranasinghe Mawatha, Hiripitiya, Pannipitiya at his son's residence. The funeral was held on 29 February 2016 at the Borella Cemetery.
Author work Landuni Mata Varam Natha (1975) Vinkal Bass (1978) Kristhuni Karunakara Manawa (1995) Sihina Kumara Saha Othamo (2009) Thunpath Rata Thiwanka Rekha Janakanthayinge Manakantha Katha
Filmography Dr. Ranasinghe contributed over 300 lyrics to Sinhala films since 1976 with his debut, Wasana.
Year Film 1976 Wasana 1976 Walmath Wuwo 1976 Duhul Malak 1976 Aasha 1976 Hariyata Hari 1976 Nedeyo 1977 Pembara Madu 1977 Agey Adara Kathawa 1978 Janaka Saha Manju 1978 Saara 1978 Deepanjali 1978 Sasara 1979 Geheniyak 1979 Amal Biso 1979 Muwan Pelessa 1979 Wasanthaye Dawasak 1979 Rosa Mal Thunak 1979 Chuda Manikya 1979 Anusha 1979 Sawudan Sema 1979 Nuwan Renu 1980 Kanchana 1980 Silva 1980 Ektam Ge 1980 Adara Rathne 1980 Muwan Palessa 2 1980 Sankapali 1980 Para Dige 1981 Ran Ethana 1981 Sathweni Dawasa 1981 Walampuri 1981 Bamba Ketu Hati 1981 Sooriyakantha 1981 Jeewanthi 1981 Samawenna 1981 Chanchala Rekha 1981 Saaranga 1982 Ra Manamali 1982 Yasa Isuru 1982 Anuradha 1982 Chathu Madura 1982 Rail Para 1983 Chandira 1983 Sandamali 1983 Sumithuro 1983 Siv Ranga Sena 1983 Niliyakara Pem Kalemi 1983 Chandi Siriya 1983 Athin Athata 1983 Senehasaka Kandulu 1983 Sister Mary 1983 Muwan Palessa 3 1983 Monarathenna 2 1983 Muhudu Lihini 1984 Shirani 1984 Walle Thanu Maliga 1984 Kiri Kawadi 1984 Thaththai Puthai 1984 Binari Saha Sudubanda 1984 Podi Ralahami 1984 Rana Derana 1984 Himikathara 1984 Batti 1984 Sahodariyakage Kathawa 1984 Sathi Pooja 1985 Araliya Mal 1985 Channai Kello Dennai 1985 Obata Diwura Kiyannam 1985 Doo Daruwo 1985 Kirimaduwal 1986 Mal Warusa 1986 Gimhane Gee Nade 1986 Jaya Apatai 1987 Yugayen Yugayata 1987 Kawuluwa 1987 Raja Wadakarayo 1987 Ahinsa 1988 Chandingeth Chandiya 1988 Sandakada Pahana 1988 Amme Oba Nisa 1988 Angulimala 1988 Satana 1989 Mamai Raja 1989 Nommara 17 1989 Obata Rahasak Kiyannam 1989 Shakthiya Obai Amme 1989 Sinasenna Raththaran 1990 Dase Mal Pipila 1990 Yukthiyata Wada 1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak 1990 Walawwe Hamu 1990 Pem Rajadahana 1990 Madu Sihina 1990 Chandi Raja 1991 Paaradise 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthe 1991 Raja Kello 1991 Raja Sellan 1991 Esala Sanda 1991 Salambak Hadai 1991 Ran Hadawatha 1991 Dhanaya 1992 Sakwithi Raja 1992 Sakkara Suththara 1992 Sinha Raja 1992 Roomathiyay Neethiyay 1992 Suranimala 1992 Sathya 1992 Muwan Palesse Kadira 1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya 1993 Chaaya 1993 Prathingya 1993 Weli Sulanga 1993 Chaya Maya 1993 Yasasa 1993 Bambasara Bisawi 1993 Sandarekha 1993 Lassanai Balanna 1993 Lagin Giyoth Ehek Na 1993 Madara Parasathu 1994 Nohadan Kumariye 1994 Abhiyogaya 1994 Ambu Samiyo 1994 Sujaatha 1994 Sandamadala 1995 Inspector Geetha 1995 Wasana Wewa 1995 Ira Handa Illa 1995 Pudumai Eth Aththai 1995 Chandiyage Putha 1995 Chaandani 1996 Sihina Wimane Kumariya 1996 Sebe Mithura 1996 Hitha Honda Geheniyak 1996 Hiru Saduta Mediwee 1996 Amanthaya 1996 Madhuri 1997 Yasoma 1997 Puthuni Mata Wasana 1997 Punaruthpaththiya 1997 Ramba Saha Madhu 1997 Vijayagrahanaya 1997 Ragaye Unusuma 1998 Eya Obata Barai 1998 Yudha Gini Meda 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa 1998 Mohothin Mohotha 1999 Anduru Sewaneli 1999 Seetha Samire 1999 Nagaran 2000 Ginigath Madhusamaya 2000 Anuragaye Ananthaya 2000 Pem Kekula 2001 Oba Koheda Priye 2001 Wasanthaye Kunatuwak 2001 Kumari Bambasara Handu Daa 2002 Seethala Ginikandu 2002 Magul Sakwala 2003 Vala in London 2003 Sudu Salu 2004 Sumedhaa 2004 Left Right Sir 2004 Premawanthayo 2005 Sanduni 2005 Alu Yata Gini 2006 Eka Malaka Pethi 2006 Nilambare 2006 Rana Hansi 2007 Ran Kevita 2007 First Love Pooja 2008 Wada Bari Tarzan Mathisabayata 2008 Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai 2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela 2009 Ali Surathal 2009 Juliya 2009 Kanyavi 2012 Wassanaye Senehasa 2014 Raassa Kale 2015 Sanjana 2015 Aathma Warusha
Notable lyrics Ajantha Ranasinghe wrote more than 400 lyrics for singers across several generations.
Adara Samarum Ketiwu Adaraneeya Wasanthe Api Ayeth Hamu Asha Nirasha Mawu Bodhiye Viharaye Bol Vee Ahuru Bonda Meedum Kadurelle Budun Methun Lowa Uththama Daesama Riddana Dawasak Thiyewi Degoda Thala Ganga Gala Dineka Mathuda Duhul Meedume Sihil Maruthe Duras Wannata Me Lesin Duwa Maa Wage Game Kopi Kade Ganga Jale Gela Wata Banda Wu Hanga Gallene Hindi Vadan Hiru Nonegeewa Igillila Yanna Yan Indunil Gangulal Irata Udin Sakwalata Udin Ira Udin Ira Wata Yana Girawun Ithin Ane Kalpana Lowa Mal Wane Kanden Eha Keena Dam Mitak Kiri Kawadi Sina Kiri Sudu Sele Koho Koho Kohe Idan Kurullo Nube Thalen Mage Dinapothehi Mage Kadulin Nimawu Mage Lowata Oba Malanika Mathakayen Mal Parawena Loke Mal Pokuru Pokuru Mala Giraa Gela Mangala Mal Dama Mata Mani Wage Mata Wasana Me Ayurin Api Me Mai Gaha Yata Me Pasal Meda Midulai Me Seetha Nille Midule Athana Nango Muthumenike Ude Rayin Ninda Nena Rathriye Niranjala Katado Nirwana Swarna Dwarayen Paalu Susaane Paloswaka Sanda Payanu Parami Dam Puramu Pata Podak Thilakala Pem Rajadahane Pemathura Hengum Pokuru Pokuru Mal Senakili Punchi Dawas Wala Ra Dolos Paye Ra Duru Rata Me Ra Pal Rakina Ra Vee La Ai Me Ude Rali Palama Sudu Patata Rallen Rallata Pawena Oruwe Rana Hansa Yuwala Ran Kenden Beda Raththaran Pem Purane Ruwan Wala Wimane Salalihiniyo Sanda Sangi (Praveena teledrama song) Sath Ruwan Wassa Seegiri Landune Sihala Kalakaruwaneni Sihina Nelum Mal Sili Sili Seethala Alle Siri Bo Meda Sithata Danena Me Lathawul Sudu Sesathak Wan Suwanda Dani Danenawa Suwanda Dena Malwane Tharu Arundati Ukulata Nawath Veedi Kone Mawatha Addara Wala Theerayen Eha Wanka Giriya Werale Muhuru Walle Villuda Punchi Depa Yaluwe Sithin Hadannepa Yadha Bime Awi
References
External links
Funeral of Late Ajantha Ranasinghe President Wishes Songwriter Dr Ajantha Ranasinghe Popular Lyrics Ajantha Ranasinghe shows For Ajantha Ranasinghe අජන්තා ගැන තවත් නොකී කතා වසර 56කට පෙර කවියට නැඟුණු අජන්තාගේ අප්රකාශිත පේ්රමය