Ranjan Ramanayake
රන්ජන් රාමනායක
ரஞ்சன் ராமநாயக்க
Member of Parliament
for Gampaha District
In office
1 September 2015 – 7 April 2021
Succeeded byAjith Mannapperuma
Majority103,992 Preferential Votes
Member of Parliament
for Ratnapura District
In office
22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015
Majority59,318 Preferential Votes
State Minister of Highways and Road Development
In office
21 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
MinisterKabir Hashim
Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare
In office
4 September 2015 – 26 October 2018
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
MinisterS. B. Dissanayake
Deputy Minister of Social Services & Live Stock
In office
21 January 2015 – 17 August 2015
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
MinisterP. Harrison
Leader of the opposition of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council
In office
23 August 2008 – 22 April 2010
Personal details
Born
Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alphonsu

(1963-03-11) 11 March 1963
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Political partySamagi Jana Balawegaya (2020-present)
Other political
affiliations		United National Party (before 2020)
Relations
Residence(s)No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.
Alma materMaris Stella College
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionFilm Actor

Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alphonsu (born 11 March 1963) (රන්ජන් රාමනායක), popularly known as Ranjan Ramanayake, is a former Sri Lankan politician,[1] actor, film director, singer and script writer who appeared in a number of Sinhala language films. He is a former Member of the Parliament.

He served as the State Minister of Highways and Road Development (2018–2019). He served as the Deputy Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development Under Good Govenence in 2015 and Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare from 2015 to 2018. Ramanayake has won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award as well as being the Most Popular Actor consecutively for 16 years. He has appeared in over 75 Sinhalese films in genres ranging from romance to action and comedies, starting his career appearing in theatre, stage and several television series.

Personal life

Ramanayake was born on 11 March 1963 in Negombo. He is the youngest in the family of two children, son of Simon Alphonsu, District Inspector at Sri Lanka Railways Department. He added 'Ramanayake' to his name as a reciprocation to the filmmaker Somaratne Ramanayake who helped him in building up his film career as lead actor.[2]

In August 2019, he appeared in GCE A/L exam again after 1982 to pursue his later career as lawyer.[3] On 27 December 2019, he went viral in the social media as he publicised his A/L results (2S & 1F).[4][5] Subsequently, he also qualified to study law after obtaining A pass for General English, S passes for Political Science and Communication media studies despite failing in Christianity subject.[6]

Cinema career

Ramanayake's first leading role was in the commercial film Jaya Kothenada but his first film was Christhu Charithaya by Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne, which was in a crowded scene and maintained his status as a commercial film star through the 1990s. Ramanayake has occasionally branched out into more serious roles such as in Lester James Peries' Awaragira but continues to be known for his commercial roles. In 1998, he won the Sarasaviya Award for the Best Upcoming Actor for the film Hima Gira.[7] He continued to be the Popular Actor in Sarasaviya Festival since 2002 to 2016, with a record 14 times.

Recently, he has taken more control over his commercial film roles working as a director and screenwriter on the popular Parliament Jokes, One Shot and Leader, breaking box office records[7] with these films and becoming one of the most successful leading actors and directors of Sinhala cinema. Bandu Samarasinghe and Tennyson Cooray are frequent co-stars of Ramanayake.[7]

He has sung in several films including Jaya Kothenada, Naralowa Holman, Love in Bangkok and others. His song "Ran Samanala Joduwa Wage" was a well-received among other songs.[8]

He acted few television serials.[7]

Television serials

  • Bhagya
  • Charulatha
  • Guru Geethaya[9]
  • Nil Mahanel
  • Pitagamkarayo
  • Sagaraya Parada
  • Sanda Kinduru[10][11]
  • Santhuwaranaya[12]
  • Sath Sanda Kirana[13]
  • Sudu Mal Kanda[14]
  • Ulamage Rathriya[15]

Politics

Ramanayake was initially the electoral organiser of the Katana in the Gampaha Electoral District before becoming the electoral organiser in Balangoda. In 2008, Ramanayake contested for the position of Chief Minister on the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council[16] and became the opposition leader on the council.

In 2010 he was elected to the Parliament from Ratnapura from United National party and has become one of the most spoken members of the parliament who worked as a major opposition activist against the former government of Sri Lanka. Being one of the leading vocal members, Ramanayake has given utmost support towards the party to bring victory at recent Presidential Election. He is currently appointed as the United National Party organiser of Divulapitiya in Gampaha. Ramanayake received highest number of preferential votes for the UNP in the Gampaha district, at the General Election on 17 August 2015, receiving a total of 216,463 votes.

Controversy

Arrest

A school teacher from Kandy accused Ramanayake of having swindled Rs. 1 million promising to marry her. Based on a complaint by the woman who accused, Criminal Investigation Department arrested Ramanayake in 2010.[17] On 4 January 2020, he was arrested for having a license expired firearm and several adult content DVDs.[18] He was released on bail on 5 January 2020 following the verdict from Magistrate court and he was also banned from travelling overseas.[19]

Alleged threat to talk show host

On 2010, it was alleged that Ramanayake threatened the talk show host Dilka Samanmali of Derana TV following the Derana 360 talk show.[20] Ramanayake has allegedly called Samanmali's parents over the phone and accused her of causing disrepute to him over the programme. He had also allegedly told the parents that harm may befall their daughter. Later, Ramanayake denied the allegation stating that all that he gave Dilka's father was a courtesy call. Ramanayake said that he did call Dilka Samanmali's father and complained that his daughter was being biased in her show.[21]

Recordings leak

His telephone conversations with former CID director Shani Abeysekara and some high-profile figures including judges were leaked in the media after the police took custody of them on suspicion.[22] Other several telephone conversations involving him were also leaked by the police to the public and the recordings suggested that he used the law in unlawful manner to favour his government.[23]

Contempt of Court

On Jan 12, 2021 Ranjan Ramanayake was sentenced to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment on the basis of contempt of court regarding his comments on the corruption of the judiciary.[24] As a result he lost his parliament seat on 7 April 2021. On 26 August 2022, He was released on Presidential Pardon by President Ranil Wikramesinghe.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1987Obatai Priye AdareSarath 'Malli'
1988Ko HathuroDancer
1988DurgaThug
1990Jaya Kothanada
1990Chandi RajaTrade Union leader Ranjan
1990Hima Gira
1990Dese Mal Pipila
1990Veera Udara
1990Jaya Kothanada
1990Christhu Charithaya[25]
1991Love In BangkokJackson
1991Ran Hadawatha
1991Mama Obe Hithawatha
1991Love in Bangkok
1992Rajek Wage Puthek
1992Salli Thibunata Madi
1992Sakvithi Raja
1992Chandi Rajina
1992Sinhayangeth SinhayaSanjaya
1993Mawila Penevi Rupe HadeJohn Jayapala
1993Come O' Go ChicagoWickremasinghe Mudiyanselage Ranjan Karunanayake
1993TrishuleRanjan
1993SandarekhaRanjan
1993Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1993Juriya MamaiDavid / Inspector Vijay
1993Sura Veera ChadiyoRanjan
1994Rajawansen EkekVijay / Sugath
1994Nohadan Landune
1994Mawbime Veerayo
1994Okkoma HondataiKamal Jayasekara
1994Hello My Darling
1995Wairayen WairayaDetective
1995Inspector GeethaDancer
1995AwaragiraPriyankara Sathigala
1996Naralowa HolmanJonson 'Johnny' Salgadu
1996Sathee
1996Sura Daruwo
1996Mal Hathai
1997Surayo Wadakarayo
1997Apaye Thappara 84000k
1997Duwata Mawaka Misa
1998Re Daniel Dawal MigelChandi Aiyya
1998Mohothin Mohotha
1999Ayadimi SamaUkku Banda
1999Nagaran
1999Bahu BharyaKapila[26]
1999SathyadeviSathyajit Walisundara 'Sathyapala Wedisinghe'[27]
2000Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2Chandi Aiyya[28]
2000DanduwamaSuranga
2001Oba Kohida PriyePriyantha[29]
2001Jonsun and GonsunSanjay Ranasinghe
2001Rosa WasantheAkila Sannasgala[30]
2002Parliament JokesLavaris 'Podi Eka'
2002Pissu DoubleJackie
2003Vala In LondonSuranga
2003Sundarai AdareMurderer
2003Pissu TribleGunda
2003Yakada PihatuRomesh Jayawardena
2005One Shot OneVijaya 'One Shot'
2005Alu Yata Gini
2006Hiripoda WassaCameo appearance
2006Supiri BalawathaNishshanka
2006NilambareNirwan
2009LeaderLeader
2009Paya Enna Hiru SeSuren and Suraj
2010Suwanda Denuna JeewitheCameo appearance
2011Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada NahiKalana
2012Jeevithe LassanaiWishwa
2013Sri Siddhartha GautamaKing Suddhodana
2013Raja HoruMahesh
2014RupantharanaMoorthi
2014RanjaRanja / Ranjan
2014ParapuraMadhava / Suranimala
2015PravegayaOffice Manager
2016SinhayaWeerasinghe 'Satyamithra'
2016Maya 3DMaya
2016Hero NeroCameo appearance
2017Dr. NawariyanNirwan 'Nawariyan' Senanayake[31]
2018Yalu Malu Yalu 2Cheruka Weerakoon
2022The GameVijay[32]
TBDKondadeniye HamuduruwoVen. Kondadeniye Thero[33]

Awards

Ranjan Ramanayake awards and nominations
Totals[lower-alpha 1]
Wins28
Nominations28
Note
  1. ↑ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

Ramanayake has won Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award 4 times.

  • Sarasaviya – Lux Awards – Most popular Upcoming Actor – 1990.
  • Sarasaviya – Most popular New Actor – 1990.
  • Sarasaviya Awards – Most Popular Film – 2002.
  • Sarasaviya Awards  – Most Popular Actor – 2001– 2005.
  • Sarasaviya Awards – Best Actor – 2006.
  • Signis Salutation – 2007 – Creative Performance (Male)- Nilambare.
  • Signis Salutation – 2010 – Creative Performance (Male)- Paya enna hiruse.
  • 1st Derana Film Awards 2011 – Most popular Actor.
  • Slim Nielsen Peoples Actor of the Year, for the 10th consecutive year in 2016, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023.
  • Slim Nielsen Peoples Awards - for the 4th consecutive year in 2016. The Actor of the Youth Choice – 2013, 2014, 2015,2016, 2017.[34]
  • Sirasa Dancing Stars – Finalist Dancing Stars.
  • 3rd Derana Film Awards 2015 – Most Popular Actor.
  • 5th Derana Film Awards 2017 – Most Popular Actor.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "This is new political culture – Ranjan". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  2. ↑ Ramesh Uvais (16 May 2005). "Will 'One Shot' be banned?". DailyMirror e-edition. Wijeya Newspapers. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  3. ↑ admin (5 August 2019). "State Minister Ranjan sits for the A/L exam". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  4. ↑ "Ranjan Ramanayake publicises A/L results – Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  5. ↑ admin (27 December 2019). "Ranjan goes public with his A/L results". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  6. ↑ "AL results: Ranjan qualifies to study law". dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Peoples' Hero". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  8. ↑ "Ranjan Meets Rajini, Kamal, Shankar and Build an India Sri Lanka Cinematic Bridge". Sundaytimes.lk. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Bermin brings a rare tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  10. ↑ ""Sandakinduru": another love story". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  11. ↑ "Sanda Kinduru comes on screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  12. ↑ "'Santhuwaranaya' : A story of sacrifice". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  13. ↑ "'Sath Sanda Kirana' goes in search of a dancer wife". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "'Sudu Mal Kanda': A love story". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  15. ↑ "'Ulamage Rathriya' reveals the country's past". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "Ranjan promises to deliver Sabaragamuwa in one shot". The Sunday Leader Online. Leader Publications (Pvt). Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  17. ↑ Chandrika Perera and Suraj A. Bandara (15 October 2010). "Ranjan Ramanayake arrested". Daily News. Lake House. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "JUST IN: UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake arrested – Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  19. ↑ "Ranjan Ramanayake given bail | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  20. ↑ "VIDEO:Ranjan threatens Dilka over Derana 360 programme". Ada Derana. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  21. ↑ Ishtartha Wellaboda. "Ranjan Ramanayake denies threatening talk show host (n.d.)". Nation.lk. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "Ranjan's controversial telephone conversation with Shani Abeysekara revealed". adaderana.lk. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  23. ↑ "Several more voice recordings of Ranjan Ramanayake leaked – Sri Lanka Latest News". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  24. ↑ "Sri Lanka : MP Ranjan Ramanayake sentenced to 04 years of rigorous imprisonment".
  25. ↑ "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  26. ↑ ""Bahu Bhariya" cleared for adults". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  27. ↑ "'Sathyadevi' comes with a human touch". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  30. ↑ "'Parasathu Uyana' gets Udayakantha's touch". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  31. ↑ "Super Star of our cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  32. ↑ "Who will win this GAME?". සරසවිය. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "Siritunga gives life to Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo". Daily News. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  34. ↑ "10 years consecutive". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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