Kalasuri Somaratne Dissanayake is a Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter and producer.[1] He is the president of the Film Makers Guild of Sri Lanka (FMG). He won the Peace prize of Chicago International Children's Film Festival and bronze award for Independent Theatrical Feature Films at Worldfest Houston for his debut film, Saroja (2000). In 2007, he received Presidential award for directing Samanala Thatu (2006).[2]
Biography
Among his early works were a stage play, Mee Pura Wesio (Rat Citizens, 1988) and a television drama, Iti Pahan (Candle Lamps, mid 1990's)[3]
He is married to producer and television host Renuka Balasuriya.[4]
In January 2015, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC),[5] only to resign later that year in August, due to personal reasons.[6]
Awards and nominations
.[7][8][9][10]
Awards |
Year and Film |
Award |
Category |
Result |
2003 Punchi Suranganavi |
Dhaka International Film Festival |
Jury Mention Award |
Won |
Kerala International Film Festival |
Golden Crow Pheasant Prize |
Nominated |
Awards |
Year and Film |
Award |
Category |
Result |
2005 Sooriya Arana |
Houston International Film Festival |
Silver Remi Award for the Best Feature |
Won |
Presidential Awards |
Award for The Most Popular Film of the Year |
Won |
Presidential Awards |
Award for The Best Lyrics |
Won |
Presidential Awards |
Award for The Best Script (Somaratne Dissanayake) |
Won |
Awards |
Year and Film |
Award |
Category |
Result |
2005 Samanala Thatu |
Mexico International Film Festival |
Best Film Award |
Won |
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski |
HumanitasCamerio Award |
Won |
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski |
Jury Mention |
Won |
Golden Elephant International Children Film Festival |
Silver Elephant Award |
Won |
Awards |
Year and Film |
Award |
Category |
Result |
2008 Siri Raja Siri |
Dhaka International Film Festival |
Best Audience Award for Best Film |
Won |
Asia Pacific Screen Awards |
Best Children's Feature Film |
Nominated |
Mexico International Children Film Festival |
Jury Mention Award for Best Film |
Won |
Argentina International Children Film Festival |
Signis Jury Award for the Best Film |
Won |
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski |
CamerioHumanitas Award |
Won |
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski |
Cifej Award |
Won |
Filmography
.
Year | Film | Role |
2000 | Saroja | Director, screenwriter, lyricist |
2002 | Punchi Suranganavi | Director, screenwriter |
2004 | Sooriya Arana | Director, screenwriter, lyricist |
2005 | Samanala Thatu | Director, screenwriter, lyricist |
2008 | Siri Raja Siri | Director, screenwriter |
2009 | Bindu | Director, screenwriter, lyricist |
2013 | Siri Parakum | Director, screenwriter, lyricist |
2016 | Sarigama | Director, lyricist |
2017 | Underpants Thief | Director, screenwriter |