Sumana Amarasinghe
Sumana Amarasinghe සුමනා අමරසිංහ | |
|---|---|
| Born | Denipitiya Vithanage Sumana Amarasinghe 21 February 1948 |
| Died | 5 June 2022 (aged 74) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Mount Lavinia Buddhist Girls' College |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, film producer, assistant editor |
| Years active | 1975–2022 |
| Spouse | Roy de Silva (1975–2018)[1] |
Denipitiya Vithanage Sumana Amarasinghe (Sinhala: සුමනා අමරසිංහ; 21 February 1948 – 5 June 2022)[2][3] was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television.[4] Highly versatile actress from drama to comedy, she is usually known as the Sweet girl in Sinhala cinema. Apart from acting, she also worked as an assistant director, production manager, costume designer as well as a producer.[5] She was also the only actress to contribute to the production, singing, co-directing and co-editing of Sri Lankan cinema.[6]
Personal life
Sumana was born on 21 February 1948 in Ranawana, Katugastota, Kandy, Sri Lanka, as the second child in a family with six siblings. Her father worked in the Inland Revenue Department. Since her family could not stay in Kandy, they came to Colombo and stayed in a rented house in Mt. Lavinia. She first went to the Mount Lavinia Buddhist Girls' College and later to Kalubowila Buddhaghosha Maha Vidyalaya. She has one sister and four brothers.[7]
Amarasinghe was married to Roy de Silva, who was also a renowned actor and director. She met de Silva during the 1969 film Hathara Peraliya. The wedding was celebrated on 30 August 1975.[8] The couple had two children.[9][10][11] De Silva died on 30 June 2018 while treated for a heart attack at Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital. His remains were buried on 2 July 2018 at Borella Cemetery.[12]
In 2014, Amarasinghe was admitted to the hospital due to sudden illness. During her tour to India for a film, she is known to have had a drink which contained a poison. It has affected her liver as well as her heart. At one point her heart even stopped. This germ has not entered her brain and she recovered slowly.[13] She worked at her own beauty shop, Salon Sumana.[14] As a livelihood, she ran 'Salon Sumana' beauty salons in all three cities, Moratuwa, Thalahena and Rajagiriya. Then all this had to be closed due to she could not stay in the salon and a lot of problems arose. All three salons closed during Roy's lifetime.[15]
Amarasinghe died on 5 June 2022 at the age of 74 while receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital due to a sudden illness.[16]
Acting career
She contested the beauty pageant "Lassana Muhuna", while she was in school times and won the title. Then she acted in the film Hathara Peraliya directed by L.M. Perera. Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1967 film Pipena Kumudu, directed by Ruby de Mel.[17] Her father allowed Sumana to go only for that movie due to Ruby de Mel. However, she lied to her father and later played a lot of other movies such as Rena Giraw, Dahasak Sithuvili, Samanala Kumariyo and Hathara Peraliya.[7]
In addition to acting, she was involved in the beauty industry, where she learned beauty courses in India, Singapore, Canada in 1980.[18] Her first major breakthrough came through 1975 film Sukiri Kella, which earned her nickname "Sweet girl in Sinhala cinema".[19]
She acted in a few films with her real husband, which made a cult in Sinhala cinema. Then she joined Tissa Wijesurendra in many popular films screened for more than 100 days which include Sudu Paraviyo and Sithaka Suwanda.[19] In 1982, she acted in Kadawunu Poronduwa remake, where she acted the role previously acted by Rukmani Devi.[19] Even though she started film career with dramatic roles, she turned to comedy roles in later stages particularly through films directed by her husband. Some of her popular films are Binaramalee, Sunethra, Jonsun and Gonsun and Re Daniel Dawal Migel trilogy.[20]
After the July 1983 riots, many producers left the film industry, however Sumana contributed to the production of films such as Tom Pachayā, Thaṇa Giravi, Sudu Piruvaṭa and Jonsan hā Gonsan. In addition, she has been a Production Executive, Line Producer, Local Coordinator, Singer, Editor, Assistant, Hairstylist and Costume Designer. She excelled in her artistic career and was one of the pioneers in founding the corporation "Hela Nalu Nili Coalition" in 1969 and fought for the establishment of a state corporation for the film industry for the manifesto of Sirimavo Bandaranaike's policies in the 1970 general election.[21]
Filmography
As actress
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Pipena Kumudu | ||
| 1967 | Rena Giraw | Dissa's sister | [22] |
| 1968 | Dahasak Sithuvili | Sagara's office receptionist | [23] |
| 1969 | Hathara Peraliya | ||
| 1969 | Binaramalee | Sobani | [24] |
| 1970 | Sumudu Bharya | ||
| 1970 | Den Mathakada | Somawathie | [25] |
| 1971 | Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo | ||
| 1972 | Singappuru Chali | ||
| 1972 | Hathara Wate | ||
| 1972 | Me Desa Kumatada | Mala | |
| 1972 | Lokuma Hinawa | Renuka | |
| 1973 | Suhada Pathuma | [26] | |
| 1973 | Sinawai Inawai | ||
| 1973 | Sunethra | Sunethra | |
| 1974 | Duleeka | Mano | [27] |
| 1974 | Sheela | Anula Karunaratne | |
| 1975 | Mage Nangi Shyama | ||
| 1975 | Sukiri Kella | Geetha / Sujee Gunathilake | |
| 1975 | Obai Mamai | Samanthie 'Saman' Jayasinghe | |
| 1975 | Ranwan Reka | ||
| 1975 | Sadhana | ||
| 1975 | Hadawathaka Wasanthaya | ||
| 1976 | Mangala | ||
| 1976 | Ran Thilaka | ||
| 1977 | Pom Pachaya | Kalyani | |
| 1977 | Sudu Paraviyo | Kumari | |
| 1977 | Niwena Ginna | ||
| 1977 | Honda Hitha | ||
| 1977 | Neela | ||
| 1978 | Sithaka Suwanda | Surekha Samson | |
| 1978 | Mage Ran Putha | ||
| 1978 | Geethanjali | ||
| 1979 | Nuwan Renu | Amitha | |
| 1979 | Samanmalee | Nithinda's wife | |
| 1979 | Anusha | Asha | |
| 1980 | Jodu Walalu | Sumana | |
| 1980 | Silva | ||
| 1981 | Hondama Naluwa | ||
| 1981 | Ajasaththa | Kosala Devi | |
| 1981 | Bamba Ketu Hati | Menika's Akka | |
| 1982 | Mihidum Sihina | Rajini | |
| 1982 | Pethi Gomara | Purnika | |
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa | Ranjani Jayasena | |
| 1982 | Rahasak Nathi Rahasak | ||
| 1982 | Thana Giravi | Nayana Kulasekara / Daisy | |
| 1983 | Sumithuro | ||
| 1984 | Hadawathaka Wedana | ||
| 1984 | Birinda | ||
| 1984 | Hitha Honda Kollek | ||
| 1985 | Sudu Mama | ||
| 1985 | Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna | ||
| 1987 | Thaththi Man Adarei | ||
| 1987 | Ahinsa | Indu | |
| 1988 | Gedara Budun Amma | Menike | |
| 1988 | Angulimala | ||
| 1989 | Okkoma Rajawaru | ||
| 1990 | Christhu Charithaya | Herodias | [28] |
| 1990 | Hitha Honda Puthek | Manike | |
| 1990 | Madhu Sihina | ||
| 1991 | Cheriyo Doctor | Nayana Randenigala | |
| 1992 | Rumathiyai Neethiyai | Lawyer | |
| 1992 | Sathya | ||
| 1992 | Okkoma Kanapita | ||
| 1993 | Sasara Serisaranathek Oba Mage | ||
| 1993 | Mawila Penewi Roope | ||
| 1994 | Sudu Piruvata | Sujatha Ediriweera | |
| 1994 | Love 94 | Mrs. Wickramasinghe | |
| 1994 | Nohadan Kumariye | ||
| 1995 | Cheriyo Captain | Teena | [29] |
| 1996 | Cheriyo Darling | Madam | [30] |
| 1997 | Ramba Saha Madhu | ||
| 1998 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel | Mrs. Kulawansha | [31] |
| 2000 | Sansara Prarthana | ||
| 2000 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 | Mrs. Kulawansha | [32] |
| 2001 | Jonsun and Gonsun | Mrs. Ranasinghe | [33] |
| 2002 | Love 2002 | ||
| 2004 | Clean Out | [34] | |
| 2004 | Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3 |
[35] | |
| 2004 | Selamuthu Pinna | [36] | |
| 2007 | Mr Dana Rina | [37] | |
| 2007 | Hai Master | Piyambika | |
| 2009 | Sir Last Chance | [38] | |
| 2011 | It's a Matter of Love | [39] |
As producer
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Kadawunu Poronduwa |
| 1977 | Tom Pachaya |
| 1982 | Thana Giravi |
| 1994 | Sudu Piruvata |
| 1996 | Cheriyo Darling |
| 2011 | It's a Matter of Love |
Awards
Sarasaviya Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Binaramalee | Merit Award | Won |
Signis OCIC Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Contribution to the cinema | International Felicitation Award[40] | Won |
Sumathi Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Contribution to the cinema | U.W. Sumathipala Awards[41] | Won |
References
- ^ "One year after Roy's death". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ Actress Sumana Amarasinghe no more
- ^ "Beauty queens of cinema". Deshaya. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Actresses in Sri Lankan cinema - Sumana Amarasinghe". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe filmography". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Actress Sumana Amarasinghe bids farewell". දිනමිණ. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ a b "I never had a world without cinema: Sumana Amarasinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Couples in Sri Lankan cinema". saaravita. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe in ICU .... after food poisoning in Chennai". Gossip Lanka. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
- ^ "රෝයි-සුමනා දිගු කලකට පසු හමුවී." Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "රෝයි – සුමනා සැබෑව අනාවරණය කරයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Veteran actor Roy de Silva passes away". Colombo Page. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe became seriously ill in the ICU". medaperadiga. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ "Salon Sumana". zaazee. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Why did we get the money after we died?". සරසවිය. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Veteran actress Sumana Amarasinghe passes away". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe - සුමනා අමරසිංහ filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "It is one year now". Divaina. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Sweet girl in Sinhala cinema". mawratanews. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe films". IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "Sumana Amarasinghe Loving Commemorative Notes". සරසවිය. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "All about "Rena Giraw"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "All about Dahasak Sithuvili". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "All about Binaramalee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "All about Dan Mathakada". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "All about the film "Duleeka"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Cheriyo Captain - චෙරියෝ කැප්ටන්". Sarasaviya. January 1995. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "Sinhala screened films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ "ජොන්සන් ඇන්ඩ් ගොන්සන් Jonson and Gonson". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ^ "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ^ "'Selamuthu Pinna' a love story". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Sir last chance in town". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "It's a Matter of Love, English cinema in Lanka". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Highlights of SIGNIS International Awards". Silumina.
- ^ "ITN wins several awards at the Sumathi Awards Festival". ITN. 25 October 2019.