Jayalath Manoratne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jayalath Manoratne
ජයලත් මනෝරත්න
Born	Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne (1948-06-12)12 June 1948 Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Died	12 January 2020(2020-01-12) (aged 71) Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Poramadulla Central College
Alma mater	University of Peradeniya University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Occupation	Dramatist, Actor, Singer
Years active	1970–2019
Spouse(s)	Tamara Jayanthi (m. 1979)
Children	2
Parents	Manatunga Perera (father) Leela Kumari (mother)
Awards	Best Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Comedy Actor

Kala Suri Kala Keerthi Dr. Jayalath Manoratne (born Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne; 12 June 1948 – 12 January 2020) was a famous Sri Lankan actor, director, and producer. He was well-known for his work in Sri Lankan movies, stage plays, and television shows.

Manoratne was also a university lecturer. He was a very talented actor, performing in everything from serious dramas to funny comedies. He won many awards for his acting and directing. Critics often say he was one of the top five actors in Sri Lankan stage history.

He passed away on 12 January 2020, at the age of 71, after receiving treatment for cancer.

About Jayalath Manoratne's Early Life

Jayalath Manoratne was born on 12 June 1948, in Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya. He was the youngest of six children in his family. His father, Keselgaspe Manatunga Perera, was a lorry driver, and his mother, Agalakotuwa Herath Mudiyanselage Leela Kumari, was a homemaker.

He went to Dehipe Primary School and then Poramadulla Central College. From a young age, his music teacher, Sunil Sriyananda, saw his talent. He encouraged Jayalath to start acting and singing.

School Days and Talents

During his school years, Jayalath was very active. He was the Secretary of the Sinhala Literary Association in 1965. He also became the President of the Theater Council in 1966 and the Sinhala Association from 1967 to 1968. He was even a student leader at the Boys' Hostel.

In 1966, he was named the Senior Most Valuable Player in his college's athletic championship. After school, he studied at the University of Peradeniya. There, he continued to learn about drama with Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra. He later earned a master's degree and a PhD from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

He married Tamara Jayanthi in 1979, and they had two children: a daughter named Uthpala Indeewari and a son named Bhanuka Prabuddha.

His Amazing Stage Drama Career

Jayalath Manoratne began acting in stage plays in 1966, while he was still in school. His first play was Aspha Gudung, which won an award for excellent performance.

He started with small roles in plays like Maname and Sinhabahu. Later, he got a main role in the play Premato Jayati Soko. It was during this play that he met his future wife, Tamara Jayanthi.

Plays He Directed and Acted In

In 1980, he created his first own play, Mahagiri Damba. He also translated a Russian play called The Elder Son into Sinhala, which became Puthra Samagama in 1985.

He directed many popular plays, including Thalamala Pipila (1988) and Andarela (1993). Andarela was special because it was his first play based on a real-life story. He continued to create plays for 26 years, making about 15 different productions.

Manoratne acted in over 80 plays and directed eleven of his own. His plays Andarela and Guru Tharuwa both won State Literary Awards. In 2014, he held a special theater festival called Dawas Pahalos Daha (fifteen thousand days). It showed eight of his plays from different times and on various topics.

Some Famous Stage Dramas

His Work in Television

Jayalath Manoratne started his TV career with the drama Aebeddiya. He became very popular for his role as "Punsiri" in the series Doo Daruwo. He was also known for his funny roles in shows like Bodima and Ramya Suramya.

In 2005, he did something unique: he played three different roles in a mini-series he directed and wrote himself, called Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana. He also directed many other TV shows, such as Sekku Gedara and Mage Kaviya Mata Denna.

Selected Television Shows

Radio Plays and Books

Jayalath Manoratne also performed in radio plays. You can find some of them online, like Tharuwan Saranai and Bashmanthara.

He was also an author and wrote several books:

• Dolos Mahe Pahana
• Dawasa Thawamath Tharunai
• Minihata Ninda Yanda Ati
• Piyadasa saha Kumariya
• Sindu Bindu
• Sinhala Naatye Prasangika Kalathmaka Wardhanaya
• Wahi Enathuru

His Film Career

Manoratne started his movie career with a small part in Thilaka and Thilaka in 1979. His first big movie role was in Handaya (1979). He acted in over 30 films, including dramas, romances, thrillers, and comedies.

He received special honors like Kalasuri and Kala Keerthi for his amazing contributions to drama. Some of his well-known films include Sooriya Arana, Ho Gaana Pokuna, Bherunda Pakshiya, and Walapatala. He won awards for best actor and best supporting actor for these films. His last movie role was in Ashavari.

Awards and Special Honors

Jayalath Manoratne won many awards at local drama and television festivals for both his acting and directing.

• He won State Literary Awards for his books Andarela and Guru Tharuwa.
• His script Thalamala Pipila is even part of the G.C.E O/L school syllabus.

State Literary Awards

Sarasaviya Awards

Raigam Tele'es

Sumathi Awards

Hiru Golden Film Award

Derana Film Awards

SIGNIS Awards

Presidential Film Awards

More Information

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