Jayalath Manoratne

Jayalath Manoratne
ජයලත් මනෝරත්න
Born Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne
(1948-06-12) 12 June 1948
Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Residence Boralesgamuwa, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education Poramadulla Central College
Occupation Dramatist, actor, singer
Years active 1970–present
Spouse(s) Tamara Jayanthi
Awards Best Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Best Comedy Actor
Website http://jayalathmanorathna.org/

Kala Suri Kala Keerthi Jayalath Manoratne (Sinhalese: ජයලත් මනෝරත්න) (born 12 June 1948 as Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne) is an award-winning Sri Lankan leading dramatist, and a lecturer by profession. Highly versatile actor who dominated stage drama, television and cinema, Manoratne has clinched many awards ranging from OCIC, Presidential, Sarasavi, Raigam Tele'es, Sumathi and the State Literary and Drama awards. He was the best actor back to back in 1991 and 1992 for his performance in Socrates and Dvitva.[1] He is considered as one of five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage by critics.[2]

Personal life

Manoratne was born in Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya, the youngest son in the family of six children. His father was a lorry driver and mother was a housewife. He undertook his education at the Dehipe Primary School and Poramadulla Central College. At an early age, his music teacher, Sunil Sriyananda, recognised his abilities and encouraged him to take up acting and singing.[3]

After completing his secondary education he attended the University of Peradeniya, where he continued to study drama under the guidance of Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra. Manoratne completed his Master's Degree from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, also obtaining a PhD. In 2013, he accepted an honourary Doctorate (D. Litt) from University of Peradeniya.[3]

Stage drama career

He started acting when he was a school student, making his acting debut in the stage drama Aspha Gudung, which was selected for the finals of the annual provincial inter-school drama competition.[3]

Under Sarathchandra's guidance he embarked on a mainstream acting career, beginning with the operatic play Premato Jayati Soko. Whilst performing in this play he met his future wife, Tamara Jayanthi. Since then, Manoratne acted in over 80 plays,[4] including Tharavo Igilethi and directed eleven plays of his own.[3] In 2011, he directed a stage drama called Buruwa Mahaththaya.[3]

In 2014, Manoratne performed a theatre festival named Dawas Pahalos Daha (fifteen thousand days), that showcased a collection of eight plays representing different periods and issues and produced by Manoratne himself. These eight stage plays were Lokaya Thani Yayak, Sellam Nirindu, Thalamala Pipila, Buruwa Mahaththaya, Guru Tharuwa, Andarela and Puthra Samagama.[5]

Notable stage dramas

  • Aspha Gudung
  • Sinhabahu
  • Maname
  • Mahasara
  • Lokaya Thani Yayak
  • Pemato Jayati Soko
  • Dunna Dunu Gamuve
  • Subhasadhaka
  • Rhinoceros
  • Subha Saha Yasa
  • Makara
  • Asaatha Manthare
  • Hiru Nathi Lowa
  • Wasudeva
  • Ape Panthi Kamaraya
  • Maha Giri Damba
  • Sellam Nirindu
  • Thawath Udesanak
  • Ahas Maliga
  • Gajaman Puwatha
  • Sathuru Mithuru
  • Nari Bena
  • Nariya Saha Keju
  • Angara Ganga Gala Basi
  • Maa Wani Bilinda
  • Siri Sangabo
  • Andirale Nadagama
  • Perahera Enawo
  • Pokuru Wassa
  • Satha Saha Satha
  • Modara Mola
  • Madhura Pura
  • Sapiriwara Mathin
  • Guru Tharuwa
  • Tharavo Igilethi
  • Ratu Hattakari
  • Socrates[6]
  • Dvitva
  • Sanda Gira
  • Kaneru Mal
  • Oththukaraya
  • Puthra Samagama
  • Diwes Helanu Mena
  • Elowa Gihin Melowa Awa
  • Sihina Sappuwa
  • Madhura Javanika
  • Mayadevi
  • Lokaya Thani Yayak
  • Nelum Pokuna
  • Debiddo
  • Raassa Saha Paraassa
  • Sahathika Nokala Maranayak
  • Suddek Oba Amathai[7]
  • Horu Samaga Heluwen
  • Maala Walalu
  • Lucinde
  • Naaga Gurula
  • Ukdandu Ginna
  • Oththukaraya
  • Buruwa Mahaththaya
  • Sudu Redi Horu
  • Andarela[8]
  • Sellam Nirindu
  • Handa Nihanda[9]

Television

Manoratne started his television career with the drama Aebeddiya of Parakrama Niriella. Then he showcased his ability through many serials such as Doo Daruwo, Sindui Bindui, Gamperaliya. He became popular in comedy roles in Bodima and then in Ramya Suramya.

Selected television serials

  • Aebeddiya
  • Sindui Bindui
  • Moragiri Kanda
  • Gamperaliya
  • Kandegedara
  • Doo Daruwo
  • Nopipena Mal
  • Ramya Suramya
  • Sakisanda Eliyas
  • Bodima
  • Madol Doowa
  • Punchi Patau
  • Irata Handana Mal 2
  • Sooriya Kusuma
  • Deweni Yuddhaya[10]

Author works

  • Dolos Mahe Pahana
  • Dawasa Thawamath Tharunai
  • Sindu Bindu
  • Minihata Ninda Yanda Ati
  • Sinhala Naatye Prasangika Kalathmaka Wardhanaya

Awards and Accolades

  • Sumathi Awards Best Teledrama Actor – Sanda Amawakai – 2002
  • Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actor – Sudu Kaluwara – 2004
  • Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actor – Berunda Pakshiya – 2007
  • Raigam Tele'es Best Teledrama Actor – 2009
  • Sarasaviya Best Supporting Actor – Ho Gaana Pokuna – 2015
  • Raigam Tele'es Prathibha Prabha Award – 2013[11]
  • Sumathi Best Teledrama Script Award – Ramya Suramya – 2004
  • Hiru Golden Film Award Best Actor in Comic Role – Ho Gaana Pokuna – 2016[12]
  • Derana Sunsilk Film Awards Best Supporting Actor – Ho Gaana Pokuna – 2016[13]
  • SIGNIS Awards Best Supporting Actor – 'Ho Gaana Pokuna – 2016
  • Presidential Awards Best Supporting Actor – Ho Gaana Pokuna – 2017[14]
  • State Literary Awards – for his two books Andarela and Guru Tharuwa[1]
  • Manoratne's script Thalamala Pipila is prescribed for G.C.E O/L syllabus.[1]

Filmography

Manoratne started his cinema career with a minor role in Thilaka and Thilaka in 1979. Then he entered professional cinema acting through the 1979 film Handaya which was directed by Titus Thotawatte.[15] Since then, he has acted more than 30 films across many genre of drama, romance, thriller and comedy. He is a receipient of Kalasuri[16] and Kala Keerthi due to his enormous contribution to the drama career. Some of his notable films include Sooriya Arana, Ho Gaana Pokuna, Bherunda Pakshiya and Walapatala, where he was awarded for best actor and best supporting actor in many ceremonies.

YearFilmRoleNotesRef
1976Thilake Ha ThilakaThilake's supporterMinor role
1979HandayaRace commentatorMajor role
1980Siribo AyyaMalhami
1981Saranga
1982Jeewithayen Jeewithayak
1983Muhudu Lihini
1986Prarthana
1986Athuru Mithuru
1987Mangala TheggaSrilal
1987Hitha Honda Chandiya
1990Hima Gira
1991Sthree
1992Sisila Gini GaniMedawatta
1992UmayanganaHenry
1993Saptha KanyaJagath
1996Thunweni Aehe
1999Rathu Aluyama
2002Punchi SuranganaviEnglish teacher
2003Sudu KaluwaraPodi Nilame Appuhami
2004Premawanthayo
2004Sooriya AranaChief Monk
2004Gini Kirilli
2005Sudu Kalu Saha AluKoragramaya
2005Samanala ThatuHospital keeper
2006Bherunda Pakshiya
2006Hiripoda WassaSithum's father[17]
2008Siri Raja SiriDrama teacher
2008Walapatala
2009BinduKolamba Haadaya
2010Bambara Walalla
2012DaruwaneVajirasena
2015PravegayaSaranapala, Hemal's father
2015Ho Gaana PokunaBus driver
2016ZoomScientist
2017Dedunu AkaseVihangi's father
2017A LevelUncle
2018VaishnaveeFather
2018GoalMr. Samarasekara
TBDMiss Jennis[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Jayalath Manoratne muses on larger-than-life theatre experience". srilankantheatre. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Five Actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage". Munchee daily. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Back to Pera, where it all began". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Dr. Jayalath Manoratne is fifteen thousand days strong". methinksatnation. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "Mano's 15,000 days in theatre". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "Socrates: Could have been better". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "'Suddek' at Borella". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "'Andarela' celebrates silver jubilee". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "Lives of artistes on stage: 'Handa Nihanda' on July 7". Daily News. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Deweni Yuddhaya on location". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  11. ↑ "Raigam Tele'es 2012 award winners". Sarasaviya.
  12. ↑ "Stars shower at Hiru Awards". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "The Glamour and Splendour at the Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 – Beautiful you". Beautifulu.lk. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  14. ↑ http://www.nfc.gov.lk/presidential_awards_details.php?year=2015
  15. ↑ "Jayalath Manoratne – Actor details". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "Deshamanya for 14 Lankans". Sundaytimes. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Hiri Poda Wessa – හිරි පොද වැස්ස". films.lk. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "Latest Beauty in Sri Lankan silver screen – Miss Jennis". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
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