Jeewan Kumaranatunga facts for kids

Jeewan Kumaranatunga (born 7 November 1958: Sinhala: ජීවන් කුමාරතුංග) is a famous person from Sri Lanka. He is well-known for two main things: being a talented actor and a dedicated politician. He has starred in many Sri Lankan movies, plays, and TV shows. Later, he became a member of the Sri Lankan parliament and even served as a cabinet minister. He is also related to former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and is the nephew of another famous actor and politician, Vijaya Kumaratunga.

About His Family

Jeewan Kumaranatunga was born on November 7, 1958, in Seeduwa, Sri Lanka. His father, Sydney Kumaranatunga, was also an actor. Jeewan's uncle, Vijaya Kumaranatunga, was a very famous actor and politician, just like Jeewan. Jeewan went to Carey College, Colombo for his education. His grandfather, Benjamin Ralahami, also acted in plays a long time ago.

Jeewan is married to Sherin, and they have three children: two daughters named Malsha and Maleesha, and a son named Harshamana. In 2014, his daughter Malsha was elected to the Western Provincial Council for the Colombo district.

His Acting Career

Starting in School Plays

Jeewan first started acting in school plays while he was a student at Carey College, Colombo. A teacher named Bermin Laili Fernando encouraged him to act on the school stage. He performed in many school plays. One of his plays even won first place in a national youth talent competition in Sri Lanka. After leaving school, he started his own art group called Sarasavi art circle and performed plays in his village.

From Stage to Cinema

Jeewan began his acting journey on stage. He performed in about two plays a year with the University Art Institute in his village. Later, he got a chance to act for Sudharshi Theatre in plays like Devlowa Yanakam and Nāyakayā.

He got his first chance to act in a movie called Thani Tharuwa. Even though it was his first film, it was released in 1982. His very first movie to be shown in cinemas was Ganga Addara, where he had a small role. Over the years, he acted in more than 90 films!

Becoming a Star

Jeewan started his film career playing villain characters. He was the main bad guy in many movies like Jaya Sikuruyi and Nævatha Hamuvemu.

He became very successful with his own film production, Hitha Honda Chandiya. This movie set big records in the cinema. Other popular films he starred in include Næva Gilūnath Bǣn Chūn, Mamayi Rajā, and Nommara 17.

In 1984, he got his first romantic hero role in the film Hitha Honda Kollek. After that, he played many main heroic characters. He often acted with Anoja Weerasinghe, and they became a popular on-screen couple for many years. Some of their famous movies together are Mamai Raja and Randenigala Sinhaya. In 1990, he won the Sarasaviya award for the Most Popular Actor.

Television and Producing Films

Jeewan also acted in about ten television shows, such as Rana Kahawanu and Sudu Paraviyo. He also produced seven films himself, including Randeṇigala Sinhayā and Aesala Sanda. However, he became very busy with politics later, so he stopped producing films. Many of the commercial films he acted in were very successful, with most of them running in cinemas for over a hundred days. He also acted in some serious films like Keḷi Maḍala, for which he won an award for best supporting actor.

His Political Journey

In 1991, Jeewan Kumaranatunga entered politics by running in the Southern Provincial Council election. In 1993, he won first place in the provincial council election for the Colombo district. Then, in 1994, he ran in the general election and came in third for the Colombo district.

After that, he worked in different government positions in the parliament for 23 years. During this time, he ran in five elections and won every single time.

Filmography