Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku

Kodithuwakku Arachchige Chandrasiri (born 27 December 1949 – died 15 January 2016 as චන්ද්‍රසිරි කොඩිතුවක්කු) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] One of the most popular television actors in Sri Lanka, he is most notable for the trade mark role "Abilin" in the television serial Kopi Kade.[2]

Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku
චන්ද්‍රසිරි කොඩිතුවක්කු
Born
Kodithuwakku Arachchige Chandrasiri

(1949-12-27)December 27, 1949
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
DiedJanuary 15, 2016(2016-01-15) (aged 66)
Gampaha Base Hospital, Gampaha
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesAbilin
EducationSambodhi College, Kelaniya
OccupationActor, Dramatist
Years active1969–2016
Spouse(s)Daya Stella Kodituwakku
Children2

Personal life

He was born on 27 December 1949 in Pethiyagoda, Kelaniya. He was educated at Sambodhi College, Kelaniya. Before entering drama, he went to work in a chili powder mill.[3]

He was married to Daya Stella Kodituwakku and the couple has two sons, Janaka.[4]

Kodithuwakku had been treated for kidney and breathing related illnesses for a long period of time. In 2016, he was admitted to Gampaha Base Hospital due to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.[5] He died on 15 January 2016 at 7.20 am at the age of 67 while receiving treatment in the ICU. His remains were kept at his residence at No. 2, Meegahawatte, Delgoda. Funeral took place on 17 January 2016 at Gonahena Public Cemetery.[4]

Career

After finishing school times, he wished to join the theater school conducted by Dhamma Jagoda. However due to economic hardship, he could not join the theater school.[6] In the meantime, he followed an acting course at the German Cultural Institute.[3] He was then participated to the short drama festival conducted by "Moratuwa Nawa Magaka Yanno". His short drama won the awards for best script and best make up.[7]

He made his acting debut in 1969 with the stage drama Sokkano Rajano produced by Sathischandra Edirisinghe.[4] Then he acted in many stage plays such as Kekille, Deshapaluwa, Manape, Bedde Goranaduwa, Baka Thapas, Devlo Doni and Uthure Rahula.[7][6] In 1973, he accompany with Jayasekara Aponsu and Ranjith Perera started miming art.[3]

In 1981, Kodithuwakku studied acting under the supervision of Thevis Guruge.[3] Then he was selected to the television serial Kopi Kade by Guruge.[6] His role as "Abilin" became highly popularized among the public and he was usually known by his character name rather than real name.[8] He appeared in the series from the beginning which first aired on 1 April 1987.[9] He continued to act in the series for 30 consecutive years. Due to his character as village gossiper, name "Abilin" was nicknamed for those who speaks gossips in Sri Lanka.[7][10]

He was also a B-Grade singer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.[3] He sang duet songs with fellow actress Susila Kuragama such as Lanka Lanka, Oba Dakkoth Hari, Lassana Sande and Esuru Kala Kalaye.[7]

He made his maiden cinematic appearance in 1973 film Hondata Hondai directed by J. Selvarathnam.[11] Since then, he acted few minor roles in cinema.[12][13]

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1973Hondata Hondai
1977Sudu Paraviyo
1978Selinage WalawwaEvicted resident
1984Kekille RajjuruwoPuwak Badilla
1993Juriya Mamai
1995Edath Chandiya Adath ChandiyaNeighbour
1996Naralowa HolmanMortuary casket purchaser
1996Hitha Hondanam Waradin Na
1999Seetha Samire
2001Oba Magema Wewa
2009Leader

References
  1. "Veteran actor Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  2. "'Abilin' passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  3. "Abilin left Kopi Kade forever". Silumina. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. "Farewell to Abilin of Kopi Kade". Dinamina. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  5. "Kopi Kade Abilin admitted to Gampaha Hospital". Divaina. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. "Four farewells in two days". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. "Abilin Uncle bids farewell". Divaina. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. "Funeral of Veteran actor Chandrasiri Kodituwakku". Divaina. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. "Kopi Kade". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  10. "Those who have left us from Kopi Kade". lifie. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  11. "Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  12. "Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku". IMDb. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  13. "Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku remembrance". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
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