Cyril Wickramage
Encyclopedia
Cyril Wickramage (Born in 1932 in Kurunegala
, North Western Province, Sri Lanka
) is a critically acclaimed Sri Lanka
n actor, director and singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.
Wickramage was born in Kurunegala at the Kohila Gedera Hospital; at a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School and Colombo Veseli School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
, Wickramage was drawn to acting.
Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play "Muhudu Puththu". He subsequently appeared in "Devatha Eliya", "Kuveni", "Thavath Udasanak", "Dawasak Wenas", "Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa", "Kada Walallu", "Pabawathi", "Liyathambara", "Natukkaraya", "Wes Muhunu", "Ahasin Watunu Minissu" and "Idama".
On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura
. The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and sweeped the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee (another Sarasaviya favorite).
In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera
and producer Linus Dissanayake. 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo. Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in. The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva.
Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja
appearing in almost all of his films (Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe). The role in Bambaru Awith (1978) in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera (Karumakkarayo - 1980) and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake
(Suddilage Kathawe - 1985).
Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.
Kurunegala
Kurunegala , is the capital of the North Western Province, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was also an ancient royal capital for 50 years, from the end of the 13th century to the start of the 13th century. The town itself is a busy commercial and a transport hub...
, North Western Province, Sri Lanka
North Western Province, Sri Lanka
North Western Province is a province of Sri Lanka. The districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam formulate Wayamba. Its capital is Kurunegala, which has a population of 28,571. The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations. Other main towns in this province are Chilaw and Puttalam...
) is a critically acclaimed Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n actor, director and singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.
Wickramage was born in Kurunegala at the Kohila Gedera Hospital; at a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School and Colombo Veseli School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the Universities in Sri Lanka. It is located in Gangodawila, Nugegoda, near Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka...
, Wickramage was drawn to acting.
Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play "Muhudu Puththu". He subsequently appeared in "Devatha Eliya", "Kuveni", "Thavath Udasanak", "Dawasak Wenas", "Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa", "Kada Walallu", "Pabawathi", "Liyathambara", "Natukkaraya", "Wes Muhunu", "Ahasin Watunu Minissu" and "Idama".
On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura
Sath Samudura
Sath Samudura is a landmark Sri Lankan film directed by professor Siri Gunasinghe and released in 1967. This film was critically acclaimed and is considered a major work in Sri Lankan cinema....
. The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and sweeped the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee (another Sarasaviya favorite).
In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera
Vasantha Obeysekera
- Early life and career :Obeysekera graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1962. He served on the Editorial Staff of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited from 1964 to 1970...
and producer Linus Dissanayake. 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo. Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in. The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva.
Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja
Dharmasena Pathiraja
Dharmasena Pathiraja is a Sri Lankan film director andscreenwriter.- Early life :Educated at Dharmaraja College, Kandy,Pathiraja graduated from the University of Peradeniya with an honours degree in Sinhala and Western Classical Culture in 1967. Subsequently he began work as a lecturer in Drama...
appearing in almost all of his films (Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe). The role in Bambaru Awith (1978) in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera (Karumakkarayo - 1980) and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake
Dharmasiri Bandaranayake
Dharmasiri Bandaranayake is a Sri Lankan Film director and playwright.Bandaranyake's debut Hansa Vilak in 1980 dealt with facets of a society at odds with itself...
(Suddilage Kathawe - 1985).
Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.