Amarasiri Kalansuriya
| Amarasiri Kalansuriya | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 20, 1940 Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1969–2009 |
| Spouse(s) | Ajantha Thalatha Kumari Ekanayaka |
| Awards |
|
Amarasiri Kalansuriya, popularily known as Kalan (born September 20, 1940), is a Sri Lankan actor. He was born in Kandy, and is an alumnus of Dharmaraja College.
Kalansuriya made his first film appearance alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga in Hanthana Kathawa. His next film Ahas Gauwa won him a best actor award in 1974.[1][2]
Early life
Kalansuriya was born in September 20, 1940 in Sri Lanka to Kalansuriya Francis Appuhami and Bengamuwa Arachchige Podi Hamine. Kalansuriya attended Dharmaraja College in Kandy. Kalansuriya was thrust into a parent role at the age of 17 when his mother died and he was left to take care of his three brothers. Kalansuriya left the world of film behind, finding work as a casual laborer earning RS 1.75 per day. Kalansuriya began his career life from the Agricultural Department in Mahiyanganaya as a minor worker. After that he worked as a lance corporal in Sri Lankan Air Force for six years. Then worked in Mallika Studio in Mahanuwara and then he worked in Mahanuwara Lion Cafe.
After a quarrel with a boss he vowed to not work under anyone and went off to pursue less strict work. In this pursuit he saved up Rs. 300 and started a small business selling clothes in Kegalle and Peradeniya. Successful he moved up into tailoring and owned two tailor shops. Here he got the chance to make clothes for the army and rub shoulders with rising political figures like Lalith Athulathmudali.[1]
Acting career
Kalansuriya accepted an invitation from H. D. Premaratne to star in the film Apeksha in 1978. His second film after the hiatus, Parithyagaya, won him more awards from OCIC and Sarasaviya.[1] He won Best Supporting Actor for Puja in Presidential Award in 1986. Kalanasuriya had a leading role in the first television serial made in Sri Lanka, Dimuthu Muthu directed by D. B. Nihalsinghe. After another hiatus, Kalansuriya returned to film with Shilpa Denumena in 2001.Directed by Rodney Widanapathirana[1]
Filmography
Selected notable films:[3]
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Hanthane Kathawa | Sugathapala Senarath Yapa |
| 1978 | Apeksha | H.D. Premarathna |
| 1970 | Akkara Paha | Dr. Lester James Peiris |
| 1978 | Anupama | Sunil Ariyaratne |
| 1974 | Ahas Gauwa | Darmasena Pathiraja |
| 1975 | Tharanga | Vimal Waidyasekara |
| 1978 | Babaru Awith | Darmasena Pathiraja |
| 1986 | Puja | Dharmasiri Gamage |
| 2004 | Diya Yata Gindara | Udayakathna Warnasuriya |
Personal life
Amarasiri Kalansuriya and Ajantha Thalatha Kumari Ekanayaka get married in December 18 ' 1971. And this couple have three children , Duminda , Madumathi , Vindya.[3]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Reyath Dawalath | |
| 1969 | Hanthane Kathawa | |
| 1970 | Akkara Paha | |
| 1970 | Nim Walalla | |
| 1974 | Ahas Gauwa | |
| 1975 | Tharanga | |
| 1978 | Apeksha | |
| 1978 | Anupama | |
| 1978 | Bambaru Awith | |
| 1979 | Podi Malli | |
| 1980 | Kanchana | |
| 1980 | Parithyaga | |
| 1980 | Sinhabahu | |
| 1981 | Vajira | |
| 1981 | Sagarayak Meda | |
| 1982 | Pradeepaa | |
| 1982 | Yasa Isuru | |
| 1982 | Sakvithi Suvaya | |
| 1983 | Samanala Sihina | |
| 1984 | Welle Thenu Maliga | |
| 1985 | Rajina | |
| 1985 | Doringe Sayanaya | |
| 1986 | Puja | |
| 1986 | Mal Varusa | |
| 1987 | Podi Vijey | |
| 1990 | Pem Rajadahana | |
| 1991 | Dolosmahe Pahana | |
| 1994 | 150 Mulleriyawa | |
| 1994 | Ambu Samiyo | |
| 1994 | Ahas Maliga | |
| 2004 | Diya Yata Gindara | |
| 2009 | Rosa Mal Sayanaya |
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Kalang: Odd yet brilliant actor". Sunday Times. 2001. Archived from the original on 12 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1499505/
- 1 2 "Amarasiri Kalansuriya -". Retrieved June 14, 2014.