Ranjan Ramanayake facts for kids

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

Awards and Achievements

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