Kamal Addararachchi
Encyclopedia
Kamal Addararachchi is an award-winning Sri Lanka
n film
and teledrama actor
, singer and presenter
. He made his debut as an actor in Gamini Fonseka
's 1981 film
Sagarayak Meda, when he was a still a student at school. Since the late 1970s, he has appeared in a variety of roles in many films and teledramas.
Addararachchi, who has acted in over 40 films, 20 teledramas and 6 stage plays up to now, won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
for his role of Sobana in Agnidahaya in 2002.
He also made a mark as a singer in 1993 with "Unmadawoo," a duet between him and Damayanthi Jayasooriya featured in the film, "Saptha Kanya." He is also the host of the Sirasa Superstar
contest - a reality show.
.
He showed an initial interest in artistic work, and this prompted him to do music, sinhala literature, Kandyan Dancing and debating, all at the same time. He even worked as the secretary of the 'Sinhala Literary Society' at school.
He is married to Anurani Addararachchi and has one son.
's Sagarayak Meda rose in to immense popularity with hits such as Saptha Kanya
.
He is noted for his performances in films such as Saptha Kanya by late H.D. Premaratne, Agnidahaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri and teldramas like Hiruta Muvaven by Herbert Ranjith Peiris, Rathu Rosa by Ranjan De Silva, and Weda Hamine and Dandubasna Maanaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri.
His performance on the mini screen for Dandubasna Maanaya was twice rewarded at the inaugural Sumathi Tele Awards ceremony in 1995, when he picked up, both, the award for the Best Supporting Actor as well as the Most Popular Actor Award that year.Kamal consider Dinal Samaranake a leading planter as his mentor who was always prepared to offer valuable advice for himself especially when his spirits are down.Kamal
was argubaly the best actor among the younger generation.
In 1997 he was accused of the abduction and rape of a young girl. He was briefly jailed, but freed on appeal. In 2002, Addararachchi was again accused and convicted of imprisoning and raping a teenage girl. He was sentenced to ten years in jail by a High Court judge; this decision was also overruled.
Ramani Bartholomeusz, an actress and contestant of the miss universe pageant was murdered on June 30 in 1987 at the age of 21. She was in a relationship with actor Kamal Addararachchi at the time. The circumstances were suspicious enough that Addararachchi was charged with her murder, although he was acquitted of the crime.[\
1995 - Sumathi Most Popular Actor Award
2002 - Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
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 film
Cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
and teledrama actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, singer and presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
. He made his debut as an actor in Gamini Fonseka
Gamini Fonseka
Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka was a Sri Lankan film actor and politician.Fonseka was born on March 21, 1936 in Dehiwela the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, Gamini moved on to S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia...
's 1981 film
1981 in film
-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
Sagarayak Meda, when he was a still a student at school. Since the late 1970s, he has appeared in a variety of roles in many films and teledramas.
Addararachchi, who has acted in over 40 films, 20 teledramas and 6 stage plays up to now, won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
The Sarasaviya Best Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.The award was first given in 1964 ....
for his role of Sobana in Agnidahaya in 2002.
He also made a mark as a singer in 1993 with "Unmadawoo," a duet between him and Damayanthi Jayasooriya featured in the film, "Saptha Kanya." He is also the host of the Sirasa Superstar
Sirasa Superstar
Sirasa Superstar is a musical reality show conducted in Sri Lanka by the TV channel Sirasa TV. The goal is to find the most talented upcoming singer in the country. The competition's first season began in mid 2005 and ended in March 2006. And Season II finished on 27 October. Sirasa Superstar is...
contest - a reality show.
Background
Addararachchige Gunendra Kamal, who was born to a family of gem merchants, had his entire education at Wesley College, ColomboWesley College, Colombo
Wesley College, Colombo is a Methodist educational institution in Sri Lanka.In 1858 Rev. Joseph Rippon wanted to establish a superior educational institution for the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in South Ceylon. On March 2 1874 Wesley College, Colombo is a Methodist educational institution in Sri...
.
He showed an initial interest in artistic work, and this prompted him to do music, sinhala literature, Kandyan Dancing and debating, all at the same time. He even worked as the secretary of the 'Sinhala Literary Society' at school.
He is married to Anurani Addararachchi and has one son.
Career
Addararachchi, who broke in to the silver screen with Gamini FonsekaGamini Fonseka
Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka was a Sri Lankan film actor and politician.Fonseka was born on March 21, 1936 in Dehiwela the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, Gamini moved on to S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia...
's Sagarayak Meda rose in to immense popularity with hits such as Saptha Kanya
Saptha Kanya
Saptha Kanya is a 1993 Sinhalese language film directed by late H.D. Premaratne. The film stars Kamal Addararachchi and Sangeetha Weeraratne in the leading roles. Playback singing was by Damayanthi Jayasooriya, Kamal Addararachchi, Rookantha Goonethilleke, Dhammika Valpola and Morris Wijesinghe....
.
He is noted for his performances in films such as Saptha Kanya by late H.D. Premaratne, Agnidahaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri and teldramas like Hiruta Muvaven by Herbert Ranjith Peiris, Rathu Rosa by Ranjan De Silva, and Weda Hamine and Dandubasna Maanaya by Jayantha Chandrasiri.
His performance on the mini screen for Dandubasna Maanaya was twice rewarded at the inaugural Sumathi Tele Awards ceremony in 1995, when he picked up, both, the award for the Best Supporting Actor as well as the Most Popular Actor Award that year.Kamal consider Dinal Samaranake a leading planter as his mentor who was always prepared to offer valuable advice for himself especially when his spirits are down.Kamal
was argubaly the best actor among the younger generation.
Controversy
Controversy has surrounded Addararachchi over the years ranging from accusations of rape to murder.In 1997 he was accused of the abduction and rape of a young girl. He was briefly jailed, but freed on appeal. In 2002, Addararachchi was again accused and convicted of imprisoning and raping a teenage girl. He was sentenced to ten years in jail by a High Court judge; this decision was also overruled.
Ramani Bartholomeusz, an actress and contestant of the miss universe pageant was murdered on June 30 in 1987 at the age of 21. She was in a relationship with actor Kamal Addararachchi at the time. The circumstances were suspicious enough that Addararachchi was charged with her murder, although he was acquitted of the crime.[\
Awards
1995 - Sumathi Best Supporting Actor Award1995 - Sumathi Most Popular Actor Award
2002 - Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
Sarasaviya Best Actor Award
The Sarasaviya Best Actor Award is presented annually by the weekly Sarasaviya newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited at the Sarasaviya Awards Festival.The award was first given in 1964 ....