Tony Ranasinghe

Deshabandu Ranasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ignatius Anthony Silva (31 July 1937 – 16 June 2015 as ටෝනි රණසිංහ), popularly as Tony Ranasinghe, was an award-winning actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[2]

Tony Ranasinghe
ටෝනි රණසිංහ
Tony Ranasinghe in a scene from Delovak Athara
Born
Ranasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ignatius Anthony Silva

(1937-07-31)31 July 1937
Modara, Sri Lanka
Died16 June 2015(2015-06-16) (aged 77)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Anthony's College, Wattala
De La Salle College, Colombo
OccupationActor, Writer[1]
Years active1962-2008
Known forCrowned king of Sri Lankan cinema
Spouse(s)Sirima Indrani Wickramasuriya (m. 1962)
Parents
  • Emmanuel Cyril (father)
  • Lilian Fernando (mother)

He is known as the Lover of the 70s in Sri Lankan cinema due to the many popular films in which he acted. He was mostly restricted to innocent main role which is full of glamour and feelings.[3] According to critics, he is the last Crowned king in Sri Lankan cinema to die after Gamini Fonseka and Joe Abeywickrama.[4]

He has acted in 115 films, in 43 of which he was the leading actor and in 72 of which he played a supporting role. He also contributed as a script writer in two films.[5]

Personal life

Ranasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ignatius Anthony Silva, who later became popular as Tony Ranasinghe, was born July 31, 1937 in Modara to Emmanuel Cyril and Lilian Fernando as the second of the family.[2] He had 8 siblings in the family - The eldest is the Ralex. Other younger members include Stella, Marie, Gina, Romwell, Christopher, and Daya. He studied at St. Anthony's College, Wattala, and De LaSalle College, Modera.[6] His father worked as a Technical Officer in the Department of Posts and Telecommunications. He joined Modara Dilasal College in 1948 to study English. He was a cricket fan during school times and used to collected photographs of Don Bradman.

He started his career as an English stenographer and quit from the job after few months. He changes his name to an advertisement for the 1962 drama "Bodinkarayo" with the influence from his brother Ralex.[4]

He was married to longtime partner Sirima Indrani Wickramasuriya. The wedding was celebrated on 30 April 1962.[7] Ranasinghe died on 16 June 2015 at a public hospital in Colombo at the age of 77.[8]

Career

Ranasinghe began his career in theater with a role in Dharmasiri Wickramaratne's Ran Thodu in 1963, which won him the Governor General's Award for Best Stage Actor. This award was presented by minister T. B. Ilangaratne. His first film appearance was for Sirisena Wimalaweera's Punchi Amma but was not screened due to an economic crisis.[7]

Ranasinghe made his film debut with Lester James Peries' Gamperaliya (1964) and followed it with Ran Salu with a different villain role in the film. He worked with Peries again on Delovak Athara, in which he had the starring role.[9] He continued to play many main protagonist role in several critically acclaimed blockbuster movies such as Parasathu Mal, Baddegama, Hulawali, Duhulu Malak, Hanthane Kathawa, Pawuru Walalu and Le Kiri Kandulu.[4]

In his early days, Ranasinghe also appeared in many stage dramas with the collaboration with Sugathapala de Silva's drama group "Ape Kattiya".[7] He acted in the plays Bodimkarayo, Thattu Gewal, Waguru Bima, Virupi Muhuna, Harima Badu Hayak, Julius Ceaser and Veniciye Velenda.[4]

He also acted in few television serials such as Awarjana, Suwanda Kekulu, Raigam Yaluwo, Ekata Getuma, Hathe Wasama, Manokaya, Soorya Vinsathi and Kadamuna.[7]

In addition to acting, he contributed to the script and drama production. Some of them include Koti Waligaya, Awaragira, Tharanaya, Pawuru Walalu, Kelimadala and Duwata Mawaka Misa.[4] He worked as the producer of stage plays Julius Ceaser, Balawa Nawaka Aruma and Dolosweni Rathriya. He was also a talented author. He wrote the books Jogi Hamarai, Hemadama Oba Mage and Mata Kawuruth Adare Na. Then he wrote the novel Adaraneeya Ayra in weekly parts to Sarasaviya magazine.[7]

Author work
  • Adaraneeya Ayra[10]
  • Jogi Hamarai
  • Doloswana Rathriya[11]
  • Haemadama Oba Mage[12]
  • Mata Kawuruth Adare Na

Awards

Ranasinghe was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Sarasaviya Award in 1966 for his role in Parasathu Mal. Subsequently he won Best Actor Awards for Hanthane Kathawa (1969), Duhulu Malak (1976) and Ahasin Polawata (1979). In 1980 he played the father of the protagonist in Ganga Addara. 1993's Saptha Kanya won him Best Actor Awards from Sarasaviya, Swarna Sanka, Presidential and OCIC.

Ranasinghe has dabbled in screenplay writing, winning Sarasaviya Awards for Koti Waligaya, Keli Mandala, Awaragira (1995) and Pavuru Walalu. Ranasinghe was honoured with the Deshabandu award, third highest national honour awarded in Sri Lanka in 1988.

Filmography
Year Film Role
1963 Gamperaliya Baladasa [13]
1964 Getavarayo Mr. Ilangakoon
1965 Sekaya Jayantha
1966 Parasathu Mal Sirisena [14]
1966 Sihina Hathak Doctor Upul Palihakkara [15]
1966 Delovak Athara Nissanka Wijesinghe
1966 Kinkini Paada
1966 Senasuma Kothanada
1967 Wasanthi
1967 Ran Salu Cyril Elkaduwa
1967 Manamalayo
1967 Sadol Kandulu
1968 Adaravanthayo Nimal
1968 Singithi Surathal
1968 Hangi Hora
1968 Indunila
1968 Dahasak Sithuvili Music Master [16]
1969 Pravesam Vanna Mr. Ranasinghe
1969 Naarilatha Ranjith Weerasooriya [17]
1969 Hari Maga Tilak
1969 Hanthane Kathawa Anura [18]
1970 Penawa Neda
1971 Kalana Mithuro
1971 Samanala Kumariyo samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo
1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Tony 'Boss' [19]
1973 Hathdinnath Tharu Raja's cousin
1973 Sunethra
1973 Gopalu Handa Saranaa
1973 Hodai Narakai
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1974 Sheela Victor Karunaratne
1974 Vasthuwa
1974 Sagarika
1975 Suraya Surayamai Lawyer Donald Ranasinghe [20]
1975 Hitha Hoda Minihek Rohana
1975 Kaliyuga Kale
1975 Kokilayo
1976 Ransalu
1976 Unnath Daahai Malath Daahai
1976 Adarei Man Adarei
1976 Duhulu Malak Mr. "Suray" Suraweera
1976 Walmath Vuvoo Cyril
1976 Looka Horu
1976 Asha
1976 Deyyange Theenduva Kamal Siri
1976 Mangala
1976 Onna Maame Kella Panapi
1976 Hulavali Bibile Aththo [21]
1976 Saradiyelge Putha Ravi
1977 Sakunthala
1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Club Announcer [22]
1977 Pembara Madu Dr.Sarath [23]
1978 Hitha Mithura Cyril
1978 Maduwanthi Ravindra 'Ravi' Ranasinghe
1978 Veera Puran Appu
1978 Sithaka Suwanda Vijay
1978 Sara Paala
1978 Ahasin Polawata Dr.Sarath
1979 Eka Hitha Nalaka
1979 Nuwan Renu Nuwan Senaratne
1979 Subhani
1980 Uthumaneni [24]
1980 Ektam Ge Upali [25]
1980 Mayurige Kathawa Paala
1980 Hewanali Ada Minissu
1980 Ganga Addara Dr. Juwanis Atapattu
1980 Sasaraka Pethum Collector Jagath
1980 Bambara Pahasa Sudesh
1980 Parithyaga Jayathilaka
1981 Ran Ethana
1981 Samawenna Raja Samaranayake
1981 Sayuru Thera Joseph
1981 Bandura Mal Sathgama Mudalali
1981 Beddegama Fernando [26]
1981 Valampuri Aranolis
1982 Yahalu Yeheli Mr. Wanigasekara
1982 Pethi Gomara Dhanushka
1982 Re Manamali Police Inspector Suraweera
1982 Sagarayak Meda Dr. Moladanda's nephew
1982 Malata Noena Bambaru [27]
1983 Sandamali Prasanna Samarasinghe
1983 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani
1983 Samanala Sihina
1983 Kaliyugaya Doctor
1984 Maya Ranjith Dias
1984 Sasara Chethana
1984 Kokila Nimal / Hermit
1985 Sudu Mama
1985 Adara Kathawa Kanthi's father
1986 Dinuma Wickrama
1986 Koti Valigaya Minister M.G Ramasuriya
1986 Dushyanthi Doctor Ranaraja
1987 Janelaya Mr. Fernando
1987 Sathyagrahanaya Asoka Atvasada [28]
1992 Kulageya Ariyaratne
1992 Sisila Gini Gani Inspector Arthur Silva
1993 Saptha Kanya Dabare [29]
1995 Avaragira Ran Banda
1997 Duwata Mawaka Misa
1997 Tharanaya Podi Mahaththaya
1997 Savitrige Raththriya
1998 Eya Obata Barai Head Doctor
1998 Anthima Reya [30]
1999 Kolompoor Alphabet Dantanarayana
1999 Pawuru Walalu Victor Mendis
2000 Saroja Police OIC
2000 Anuragaye Ananthaya Dayapala Jayathilaka [31]
2001 Mahadena Muththai Golayo Roththai
2001 Anantha Rathriya Lawyer Vicky
2001 Kinihiriya Mal Edwin[32]
2002 Salelu Warama Priyanka's father
2003 Le Kiri Kandulu Jayananda Ratnapala
2003 Sonduru Dadabima Solomon Sahabandu
2004 Diya Yata Gindara Police Chief [33]
2004 Randiya Dahara
2005 Alu Yata Gini
2004 Samunoganna Sugandhika
2006 Ammawarune Rathnapala Hamuduruvo
2007 Sikuru Hathe Chief Inspector
2004 Yahaluvo Sinhala tuition master
2008 Heart FM Doctor Sri Vastav
2008 Nil Diya Yahana Jayawardena
2009 Ekamath Eka Rateka guest appearance

Script writing
Year Film Director
- Angulimala First script. Did not filmed.
- Daruwange Gedara Gamini Fonseka did not filmed.
- Athuru Mathiwaranaya Gamini Fonseka did not filmed.
- Niroopikawa Did not filmed.
1986 Koti Valigaya Gamini Fonseka
1995 Awaragira Lester James Peries
1997 Tharanaya Sudath Devapriya
1997 Duwata Mawaka Misa Sumithra Pieris
1991 Kelimadala D.B. Nihalsinghe
1999 Pawuru Walalu[34] Prasanna Vithanage
2018 Vaishnavi Sumithra Pieris

Stage dramas
Year Drama Producer
1962 Bodimkarayo Sugathapala de Silva
1964 Thattu Gewal Sugathapala de Silva
- Ran Thodu Sugathapala de Silva
1967 Nil Katarol Mal Sugathpala de Silva
- Wagurubima Premaranjith Tillakaratne
- Viroopi Roopa Namel Weeramuni
- Vaniciye Welenda Bandula Vithanage
1982 Julius Ceaser Himself
- Gimhane Reyaka Dutu Sihinayak Helena Lehthimathi
- Harima Badu Hayak Sugathpala de Silva
- Avi Sugathpala de Silva
- Parasthawa Showed only in Galle
- Balawa Namaka Aruma W.M. Wijesiri

References
  1. "Actor turned writer: Tony's passion for Shakespeare drama". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  2. ":: Daily Mirror - Opinion ::". Archives.dailymirror.lk. 2006-07-31. Archived from the original on 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  3. "Tony Ranasinghe - දිවි රඟමඬලින් සමුගත් මහා නළු කිවියර". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  4. "Trinity of Sinhala cinema". Divaina. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. "ටෝනි වගතුග". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  6. ":: Daily Mirror - Opinion ::". Archives.dailymirror.lk. 2005-08-06. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  7. "Casual wife cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  8. "Veteran Actor Tony Ranasinghe laid to rest". NEWS.LK : The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. 20 June 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  9. "||Pow Wow". Sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  10. "මගේ පැතුම රංගන ශිල්පියකු ලෙස මිය යාමයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  11. "Doloswana Rathriya". Sarasavi Bookshop. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  12. "Haemadama Oba Mage". Sarasavi Bookshop. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  13. "All about the blockbuster film "Gamperaliya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  14. "All about "Parasathu Mal"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  15. "All about Sihina Sathak". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  16. "All about Dahasak Sithuvili". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  17. "All about Narilatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  18. "All about Hanthane Kathawa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  19. "Obata Thiyena Adare". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  20. "All about the film "Suraya Surayamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  21. "All about Hulavali". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  22. "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  23. "All about "Pembara Madhu"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  24. "All about 'Uthumaneni'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  25. "We will alone in Ektam Ge". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  26. "All about Beddegama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  27. "All about the film "Malata Noena Bambaru"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  28. "All about Sathyagrahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  29. "Unmada Wu Premadara: Saptha Kanya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  30. "The Judgement overruled". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  31. "'Anuragaye Ananthaya' : A struggle between a woman and society". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  32. "Kinihiriya Mal - කිනිහිරියා මල්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  33. "CEL's first production: 'Diya Yata Gindara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  34. "A Tribute to Tony". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
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