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Alexander Fernando
ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born
Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando

(1940-08-25)25 August 1940
Kotahena, Ceylon
Died 29 April 2020(2020-04-29) (aged 79)
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education St. Benedict's College, Colombo
St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13
Occupation Actor, stunt director
Years active 1962–2011
Spouse(s) Anoma Lumbini (m. 1978)
Children 3

Joseph Manuel Alexander Fernando (Sinhala: ඇලෙක්‌සැන්ඩර් ප්‍රනාන්දු Æleksænḍar Pranāndu; 25 August 1940 – 29 April 2020) was a Sri Lankan actor and stunt director in Sinhala cinema. Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Fernando acted in over 120 Sinhala films, six Tamil films, and one English film.

Personal life

Fernando was born on 25 August 1940 in Kochchikade, Kotahena, Colombo. He was educated at St. Benedict's College, Colombo, and St. Anthony's Boys College Colombo 13. He was an excellent athlete in wrestling, boxing and swimming during his school years. At the age of 15, he became a member of the Armstrong Wrestling Club, Kotahena. He contested for the Western Province Schools wrestling championship and finished as the runner-up. In addition, he trained in karate, judo and physical fitness. In 1959, after his senior level examination, he joined the harbour authority as a tele-clerk. He gained fame as the undefeated national wrestling champion in 1961 and represented Sri Lanka at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. Fernando qualified for the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and also participated in the 1966 Bangkok Nippon Asian Games. He later lost the opportunity to participate in several global sports tournaments due to a knee injury. He is the only actor in Sri Lanka to have represented his country in sports.

During his acting career, Fernando served as a sports adviser for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). He won an award from the Ministry of Sports in 2009 for his contribution to sport.

Fernando was married to Anoma Lumbini from 1978. The couple had two daughters – Anushka and Asha – and one son – Anojan Sudharshana. He resided with his wife at No. 103, Nathuduwa, Kelaniya.

Fernando died on 29 April 2020, aged 79.

Cinema career

Fernando started in drama by acting in Tamil stage plays. He acted in the plays Shalomi and Julius Caesar.

Fernando's maiden cinema acting came through 1963 film Wena Swargayak Kumatada? directed by T. Somasekaran. He served in a stunt role for Henry Jayasena in that film, even though his fight scene was eventually removed from the film. Then he continued to act in several commercial films in lead roles, including Haara Lakshaya, Sri Madara, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Saradielge Putha and Pasa Mithuro. Fernando was a close friend of popular singer H. R. Jothipala, cinematographer Lenin Moraes and the dancer Ronald Fernando.

In 1963, fellow stuntman and actor Robin Fernando invited him to act in the film Ruhunu Kumari directed by W. M. S. Tampoe. In the meantime, he acted in films Ataweni Pudumaya (1968) and Kohomada Wade (1969). He was brought to Hendala Vijaya Studios by film actor Senadheera Rupasinghe to act in the film Ataweni Pudumaya. His film Ruhunu Kumari also came out at that time. After the film became very popular, actor Joe Abeywickrama introduced him to veteran filmmaker Titus Thotawatte to act in the film Haara Lakshaya. In addition to its fighting scenes, his character included many lines of dialogue, the first time that Fernando provided dialogue in a film.

In 1972, Fernando acted in seven Sinhala films. In 1973, Sathischandra Edirisinghe handed over the stunt direction to his film Matara Achchi. Fernando joined with Edirisinghe for the film Sri Madara in 1977, as the lead actor. He also had the opportunity to act in a major role in the 1974 film Sahayata Danny directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. During many villainous roles in the films, he acted opposite Gamini Fonseka in fight scenes. In one instance, he was injured by Gamini and could not open his eyes for three days.

In 1976, Fernando acted as the titular character in the film Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe. During this time, he had the opportunity to play several stage plays under the guidance of Anthony C. Perera and Jayamuni Nimal Silva. In 1983, he acted in the film Pasa Mithuro alongside Mervyn Jayathunga directed by Ananda Hewage. This film was a turning point in his film career, where he performed a realistic role as a Tamil prisoner. In 1984, Fernando won the Presidential Award for this role.

In many films, Sonia Disa played the lover of Fernando's characters. They acted together in many films including Sahayata Danny, Sri Madara, Aege Adara Kathawa, Kawuda Raja and Harima Badu Thunak.

Fernando also acted in Tamil films Yar Aval, Engleil Oruvan, Nangu Lechchami, Rattathi Thirtemme, and the English film Reincarnation.

Filmography and stunt coordination

Year Film Roles Ref.
1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada?
1968 Ruhunu Kumari
1968 Ataweni Pudumaya
1969 Kohomada Wade
1969 Surayangeth Suraya
1969 Uthum Sthriya
1969 Praweshamwanna Kidnapping assailant
1970 Dan Mathakada Dommie's henchman
1970 Athma Pooja
1970 Ohoma Hondada
1971 Haara Lakshaya Weerey
1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Garage fighter
1971 Samanala Kumariyo
1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Predo
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Alex
1972 Singapore Charlie
1972 Ada Mehemai Assaulted thief
1972 Hithaka Pipunu Mal
1972 Veeduru Gewal Alex
1972 Miringuwa
1973 Matara Achchi City bouncer
1973 Suhada Pethuma
1973 Aparadaha Saha Danduwama
1973 Thushara Alex
1973 Gopalu Handa
1973 Hondama Welawa
1973 Dahakin Ekek Dhamme
1973 Hondata Hondai Alex
1974 Ahas Gauwa Japana's leader
1974 Sheela Kidnapper
1974 Senakeliya
1974 Sahayata Danny Samanthe
1974 Mehema Harida
1974 Rodi Gama Game Dimitiya
1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Club ...
1975 Amaraneeya Adare
1975 Lassana Kella Vicky
1975 Kokilayo
1975 Suraya Surayamai Money offerer
1975 Ranwan Rekha
1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo Alex
1975 Sikuruliya Bertie's henchman
1975 Sadhana
1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1976 Kawuda Raja Sena
1976 Harima Badu Thunak Bennet Mahathaya
1976 Loka Horu
1976 Adarei Man Adarei
1976 Saradielge Putha Sira 'Siri' 'Saradiyelge Putha'
1977 Sri Madara Susil Weeratunga
1977 Aege Adara Kathawa Siripala
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Dekkey Kanuwa
1977 Neela
1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida?
1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Sunder
1977 Sajaa
1977 Yakadaya Chaubey
1978 Sithaka Suwanda Thug
1978 Seetha Devi
1978 Celinage Walawwa
1978 Sally
1978 Apsara
1978 Sandawata Rantharu
1978 Hitha Mithura Michael
1979 Sawudan Jema Uranius
1979 Subhani
1979 Hari Pudumai Bandu
1979 Samanmali Village lover
1979 Visihathara Peya Thanthu
1980 Anuhasa
1980 Doctor Susantha
1980 Raktha Kopitha
1980 Api Dedena
1980 Hondin Inna
1982 Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1982 Sithara
1983 Thunhiri Mal
1983 Menik Maliga
1983 Samanala Sihina
1983 Pasa Mithuro Velu
1984 Thaththai Puthai Samson 'Paul'
1984 Batti
1984 Shirani
1984 Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa
1984 Birinda
1985 Araliya Mal Henchman
1985 Channai Kello Dennai
1985 Miss Lanka
1986 Maldeniye Simion Mahumahale Mudalali
1986 Jaya Apatai
1986 Sura Saradiel
1987 Kele Kella
1988 Wana Rejina
1988 Ko Hathuro
1989 Badulu Kochchiya
1990 Christhu Charithaya Nikandevumas
1992 Rupathiyay Neethiyay
1994 Jayagrahanaya
1995 Hitha Honda Surayo
1996 Obatai Me Aradhana
1997 Aege Wairaya 2
1997 Ninja Sri Lanka
1998 Sathutai Kirula Ape
1998 Yudha Gini Meda Doctor Anand Rajaratnam
1999 Unusum Rathriya Inspector Wimal
1999 Akunu Pahara
1999 Koti Sana
2000 Salupata Ahasata 2
2000 Aege Wairaya 4 Mark
2001 Kolomba Koloppan
2002 Kama Suthra John
2003 Aege Daiwaya
2003 Hitha Honda Pisso Dayapala 'Daya'
2005 Seethala Hadu
2006 Supiri Balawatha
2007 First Love Pooja
2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela
2011 Putha Mage Suraya
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