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Ranjan Ramanayake
රන්ජන් රාමනායක
ரன்ஜன் ராமநாயக்க
Member of Parliament
for Gampaha District
In office
1 September 2015 – 7 April 2021
Succeeded by Ajith Mannapperuma
Majority 103,992 Preferential Votes
Member of Parliament
for Ratnapura District
In office
22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015
Majority 59,318 Preferential Votes
State Minister of Highways and Road Development
In office
21 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
President Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister Kabir Hashim
Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare
In office
4 September 2015 – 26 October 2018
President Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister S. B. Dissanayake
Deputy Minister of Social Services & Live Stock
In office
21 January 2015 – 17 August 2015
President Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister P. Harrison
Leader of the opposition of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council
In office
23 August 2008 – 22 April 2010
Personal details
Born
Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso

(1963-03-11) 11 March 1963 (age 62)
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Political party United Democratic Voice (since 2024)
Other political
affiliations
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (2020–2024)
United National Party (before 2020)
Relations
Residences No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.
Alma mater Maris Stella College
Occupation Politician
Profession Actor

Ranjan Ramanayake (born 11 March 1963) is a famous Sri Lankan actor, film director, and singer. He is also a former politician who served in the Sri Lankan Parliament.

Ranjan Ramanayake has starred in many Sinhala language films. He was the State Minister of Highways and Road Development from 2018 to 2019. Before that, he was a Deputy Minister for Social Services and Welfare. He has won several awards for his acting, including the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award in 2006. He also won the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award four times. He has appeared in over 75 Sinhalese films, from romantic movies to action and comedies. He started his career in theatre and television shows.

About Ranjan Ramanayake's Life

Ranjan Ramanayake was born on 11 March 1963, in Negombo, Sri Lanka. He is the younger of two children. His father, Simon Alfonso, worked as a District Inspector for Sri Lanka Railways. Ranjan added 'Ramanayake' to his name to honor filmmaker Somaratne Ramanayake. Somaratne helped him start his acting career as a main actor.

In August 2019, Ranjan Ramanayake took the GCE A/L exam again. He had first taken it in 1982. He wanted to study law and become a lawyer. In December 2019, his A/L results became very popular online. He passed with good grades in General English, Political Science, and Communication Media Studies. This allowed him to qualify for law studies.

Ranjan Ramanayake's Film Career

Ranjan Ramanayake's first main role was in the movie Jaya Kothenada. However, his very first film was Christhu Charithaya by Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne. In this film, he appeared in a large crowd scene. He became a popular commercial film star throughout the 1990s.

Sometimes, Ranjan Ramanayake took on more serious roles. One example is Awaragira by Lester James Peries. But he is still best known for his commercial films. In 1998, he won the Sarasaviya Award for Best Upcoming Actor for the film Hima Gira. He was voted the Most Popular Actor at the Sarasaviya Festival for a record 14 times, from 2002 to 2016.

Recently, he has taken more control over his film projects. He has worked as a director and screenwriter. Some of his popular films include Parliament Jokes, One Shot, and Leader. These movies were very successful at the box office. This made him one of the most successful actors and directors in Sinhala cinema. Bandu Samarasinghe and Tennyson Cooray often acted alongside him.

Ranjan Ramanayake has also sung songs in several films. These include Jaya Kothenada, Naralowa Holman, and Love in Bangkok. His song "Ran Samanala Joduwa Wage" was very well-liked.

He has also acted in a few television shows.

Television Shows

  • Bhagya
  • Charulatha
  • Guru Geethaya
  • Nil Mahanel
  • Pitagamkarayo
  • Senahesa Suvndhai
  • Sagaraya Parada
  • Sanda Kinduru
  • Santhuwaranaya
  • Sath Sanda Kirana
  • Sudu Mal Kanda
  • Ulamage Rathriya

Ranjan Ramanayake's Political Journey

Ranjan Ramanayake first started in politics in Katana. This area is part of the Gampaha Electoral District. Later, he became an organizer in Balangoda. In 2008, he ran for Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. He then became the leader of the opposition in that council.

In 2010, he was elected to Parliament from Ratnapura. He was a member of the United National party (UNP). He was known for speaking out strongly against the government at that time. He was a key activist for the opposition.

Later, Ranjan Ramanayake was appointed as the UNP organizer for Divulapitiya in Gampaha. In the 2015 parliamentary elections, he received the highest number of votes for the UNP in the Gampaha district. He got a total of 216,463 votes. He was reelected in 2020.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref.
1987 Obatai Priye Adare Sarath 'Malli'
1988 Ko Hathuro Dancer
1988 Durga Thug
1990 Jaya Kothanada
1990 Chandi Raja Trade Union leader Ranjan
1990 Hima Gira
1990 Dese Mal Pipila
1990 Veera Udara
1990 Jaya Kothanada
1990 Christhu Charithaya
1991 Love In Bangkok Jackson
1991 Ran Hadawatha
1991 Mama Obe Hithawatha
1991 Love in Bangkok
1992 Rajek Wage Puthek
1992 Salli Thibunata Madi
1992 Sakvithi Raja
1992 Chandi Rajina
1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya Sanjaya
1993 Mawila Penevi Rupe Hade John Jayapala
1993 Come O' Go Chicago Wickremasinghe Mudiyanselage Ranjan Karunanayake
1993 Trishule Ranjan
1993 Sandarekha Ranjan
1993 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1993 Juriya Mamai David / Inspector Vijay
1993 Sura Veera Chadiyo Ranjan
1994 Rajawansen Ekek Vijay / Sugath
1994 Nohadan Landune
1994 Mawbime Veerayo
1994 Okkoma Hondatai Kamal Jayasekara
1994 Hello My Darling
1995 Wairayen Wairaya Detective
1995 Inspector Geetha Dancer
1995 Awaragira Priyankara Sathigala
1996 Naralowa Holman Jonson 'Johnny' Salgadu
1996 Sathee
1996 Sura Daruwo
1996 Mal Hathai
1997 Surayo Wadakarayo
1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k
1997 Duwata Mawaka Misa
1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel Chandi Aiyya
1998 Mohothin Mohotha
1999 Ayadimi Sama Ukku Banda
1999 Nagaran
1999 Bahu Bharya Kapila
1999 Sathyadevi Sathyajit Walisundara 'Sathyapala Wedisinghe'
2000 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 Chandi Aiyya
2000 Danduwama Suranga
2001 Oba Kohida Priye Priyantha
2001 Jonsun and Gonsun Sanjay Ranasinghe
2001 Rosa Wasanthe Akila Sannasgala
2002 Parliament Jokes Lavaris 'Podi Eka'
2002 Pissu Double Jackie
2003 Vala In London Suranga
2003 Sundarai Adare Murderer
2003 Pissu Trible Gunda
2003 Yakada Pihatu Romesh Jayawardena
2005 One Shot One Vijaya 'One Shot'
2005 Alu Yata Gini
2006 Hiripoda Wassa Cameo appearance
2006 Supiri Balawatha Nishshanka
2006 Nilambare Nirwan
2009 Leader Leader
2009 Paya Enna Hiru Se Suren and Suraj
2010 Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe Cameo appearance
2011 Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada Nahi Kalana
2012 Jeevithe Lassanai Wishwa
2013 Sri Siddhartha Gautama King Suddhodana
2013 Raja Horu Mahesh
2014 Rupantharana Moorthi
2014 Ranja Ranja / Ranjan
2014 Parapura Madhava / Suranimala
2015 Pravegaya Office Manager
2016 Sinhaya Weerasinghe 'Satyamithra'
2016 Maya 3D Maya
2016 Hero Nero Cameo appearance
2017 Dr. Nawariyan Nirwan 'Nawariyan' Senanayake
2018 Yalu Malu Yalu 2 Cheruka Weerakoon
2022 The Game Vijay
TBD Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo Ven. Kondadeniye Thero

Awards and Achievements

Ranjan Ramanayake awards and nominations
Totals
Wins 28
Nominations 28

Ranjan Ramanayake has won the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award 4 times. Here are some of his awards:

  • Sarasaviya – Lux Awards – Most Popular Upcoming Actor – 1990.
  • Sarasaviya – Most Popular New Actor – 1990.
  • Sarasaviya Awards – Most Popular Film – 2002.
  • Sarasaviya Awards – Most Popular Actor – 2001–2005.
  • Sarasaviya Awards – Best Actor – 2006.
  • Signis Salutation – 2007 – Creative Performance (Male) for Nilambare.
  • Signis Salutation – 2010 – Creative Performance (Male) for Paya enna hiruse.
  • 1st Derana Film Awards 2011 – Most Popular Actor.
  • Slim Nielsen Peoples Actor of the Year, for many years including 2007, 2008, 2010-2017, 2022, 2023.
  • Slim Nielsen Peoples Awards - Actor of the Youth Choice – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
  • Sirasa Dancing Stars – Finalist in Dancing Stars.
  • 3rd Derana Film Awards 2015 – Most Popular Actor.
  • 5th Derana Film Awards 2017 – Most Popular Actor.

See also

  • List of political families in Sri Lanka
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