Gamini Fonseka

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Hon.
Gamini Fonseka
MP
ගාමිණී පොන්සේකා
Gamini Fonseka
3rd Governor of the North Eastern Province
In office
13 January 1995 – 20 October 1998
PresidentChandrika Kumaratunga
Preceded byLionel Fernando
Succeeded byAsoka Jayawardena
Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
In office
9 March 1989 – 24 June 1994
PresidentRanasinghe Premadasa
D. B. Wijetunga
Prime MinisterD. B. Wijetunga
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byNorman Waidyaratne
Succeeded byAnil Moonesinghe
Member of Parliament
for Matara District
In office
9 March 1989 – 24 June 1994
Majority19,618 preferential votes
Personal details
Born
Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka

(1936-03-21)21 March 1936
Dehiwala, British Ceylon
Died30 September 2004(2004-09-30) (aged 68)
Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Political partyUnited National Party
Spouse
Dorothy Margaret Valancia
​
​
(m. 1962)​
Domestic partnerAngela Seneviratne
Children6
Parent(s)William Fonseka
Daisy Fonseka
EducationS. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
OccupationActor, film director, politician
Known forCrowned King of Sri Lankan cinema

Kala Keerthi Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka (Sinhala: සෙම්බුගේ ගාමිණි ශෙල්ටන් ෆොන්සේකා; 21 March 1936 – 30 September 2004) was a Sri Lankan film actor, film director and politician.[1] Often considered one of the greatest actors in Sinhala cinema,[2] Fonseka dominated the industry in 1960s and 1970s and won several Best Actor awards throughout his career.[3] Apart from acting, he also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 1989 to 1994 and the Governor of the North Eastern Province from 1995 to 1998.

He is widely regarded as one of the Kings of Sri Lankan cinema, and was the first of the three crowned kings (the other two being Joe Abeywickrama and Tony Ranasinghe) to pass away.[4]

Personal life[edit]

Fonseka was born on 21 March 1936 in Dehiwela as the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, he later transferred to S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. As a child, he gained a reputation for imitating administrative figures at school. Foneska also prospered in the study of the Sinhala language and literature (under the guidance of D. S. Jayasekera, who is also reputed to have introduced him to acting in stage plays)[5] and placed in the upper fourth for a Sinhala literature prize. The award for this achievement was presented to him by S. Thomas' graduate and Sri Lankan Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake. Foneska was also an accomplished cricket player.

Fonseka married his longtime girlfriend Dorothy Margaret Valencia also known as "Tina" in 1962, and the couple had four children: Chamila, Thanuja, Dammith and Ishara. Many years later he fathered Kaushalya and Poornima with his partner Angela Seneviratne.

Through his 6 children, Fonseka has 10 grandchildren: Yasara, Vivek, Indula,Daniel, Tarik, Janik, Hrithik, Ruveka and Tiasha. Fonseka remained married to Tina until his death in September 2004.

His son Damith was a popular film actor in 1990s. He acted in many commercially successful films such as Chandi Rejina, Ira Handa Illa, Chandiyage Putha, Cheriyo Darling, and Raththaran Malli.

Fonseka died on 30 September 2004 at the age of 68 at his residence in Ja-Ela.[6][7][8]

Film career[edit]

Fonseka abruptly ended his secondary education and dove into the film industry. He originally wanted to be a cameraman and in this line worked as the second Assistant Director on David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Lester James Peries' Rekava (1956). Fonseka was first on-screen in Rekava as part of a crowd. He also did some work on an English television series filmed in Sri Lanka.

Fonseka's first credited acting role was in Daiwa Yogaya (1959) in which he played a minor role. Lester James Peries' Sandesaya (1960) first established Fonseka in a leading role. With films like Adata Wediya Heta Hondai, Ranmuthu Duwa, Getawarayo, and Dheevarayo, Fonseka achieved popularity and became a box-office draw.[9]

Seeking to not play in only commercial roles, Fonseka appeared as Jinadasa in the groundbreaking Gamperaliya (1964), working again with Peries. In Titus Thotawatte's Chandiya, Fonseka played his first anti-heroic role in Sri Lankan cinema and in Mike Wilson's Sorungeth Soru (1968), he played the role of Jamis Banda, the Sinhalese James Bond.[10] In 1964, at the first awards ceremony of the United Ceylon Fan Club held on 12 January at the Royal College Hall, Colombo, Gamini won the Best Actor award in 1963 for his role as Jinadasa in the film Gamperaliya. This was Fonseka's first acting award.[11]

Fonseka also tried out directing many accolades. His debut directorial work Parasathu Mal was warmly received. He directed a political satire Sagarayak Meda.[12] Other films directed by Fonseka include Koti Waligaya and Nomiyana Minissu. He entered television as well and became the best teledrama actor for the role he played in Kalu Saha Sudu.[10]

Fonseka's role as Willie Abeynayake in Nidhanaya (1972) and as ASP Wicrema Randeniya in Welikathara (1971) are widely considered to be his crowning achievements. Both films have been recognised by Presidential Awards as amongst the 10 Best Sri Lankan films of all time. In 1979, Fonseka played Jaffna Tamil clerk Nadarajah in Sunil Ariyaratne's Sarungale. He has also has written some songs for the movies Sarungale (1979) and Mayurige Kathawa (1980).

Political career[edit]

In 1989, Fonseka entered politics after joining the United National Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1989 as a representative of the Matara District with the highest number of preferential votes and was appointed Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He was later appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga as Governor of the now-defunct Northeastern Province.

Awards[edit]

Year[13] Award Film
1964 Best Actor Gamperaliya
1965 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Deewarayo
1966 Popular Actor (Swarna Sanka) –
1967 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Parasathu Mal
1967 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1968 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Sorungeth Soru
1968 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1969 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1972 Popular Actor (Deepashika Award) –
1976 Popular Actor Kasthuri Suwanda (Sarasaviya Peoples Award)
(He rejected this award)[14]
1980 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Sarungale (The Best Lyricist award is being awarded to Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne
for the song "Bambarindu" by mistake. But he corrected it and handed it over to Gamini Fonseka)[14]
1980 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1981 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Uthumaneni
1981 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1982 Sarasaviya Best Director Award Sagarayak Mada
1982 Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award –
1986 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Yuganthaya
1986 Sarasawiya Rana Thisara Award –
1986 Best Actor (President Awards) Yuganthaya
1987 Reviewers Award –
1995 Sarasaviya Best Actor Award Nomiyena Minisun
1997 U.W Sumathipala Commemorating Award –

Filmography[edit]

Until his death, Fonseka acted in 108 films, 86 of them as a lead actor and 19 more as a supporting actor. He directed 10 films and produced 2 films.[15][13]

As a director[edit]

  • Parasathu Mal (1966)[16]
  • Uthumaneni (1980)[17]
  • Mayurige Kathawa (1980)
  • Sagarayak Mada (1981)
  • Bandura Mal (1981)
  • Ra Manamali (1981)
  • Sakwithi Suwaya (1982)
  • Koti Waligaya (1986)
  • Nomiyena Minisun (1994)
  • Anthima Reya (1998)

As an actor[edit]

Year Film Role
1956 Rekava Crowd member
1959 Daiwayogaya Manamoola
1960 Sandesaya Dhamitha
1960 Pirimiyek Nisa
1962 Daskon
1962 Ranmuthu Duwa Bandu[18]
1963 Gamperaliya Jinadasa[19]
1963 Adata Vediya Heta Hondai Gamini[20]
1964 Getawarayo Jayasena Fernando
1964 Dheewarayo Francis
1965 Chandiya Chutte[21]
1965 Sudo Sudu Adiriyan
1965 Adarayai-Karunawai
1965 Satha Panaha Nimal[22]
1965 Yatagiya Dawasa
1966 Senasuma Kothanada
1966 Seethala Wathura
1966 Sigiri Kashyapa Kashyapa[23]
1966 Parasathu Mal Bonny[24]
1966 Oba Dutu Da
1966 Sanasili Suvaya
1967 Sorungeth Soru James Banda
1967 Ipadune Aye
1967 Rena Girawu Disa[25]
1967 Okkoma Hari Sudantha, Aaron[26]
1967 Sura Chauraya Veera
1968 Dehadaka Duka
1969 Oba Nethi Nam
1969 Baduth Ekka Horu
1969 Surayangeth Suraya
1969 Paara Walalu
1969 Mee Masso
1970 Aathma Puja
1970 Ohoma Hodada Sirimal, Siri[27]
1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Podde[28]
1971 Welikathara ASP Randeniya
1972 Sahanaya Piyal[29]
1972 Nidhanaya Willie Abeynayake[30]
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Gamini
1972 Adare Hithenawa Dakkama Ricky[31]
1972 Miringuva
1973 Hondata Hondai
1973 Sadahatama Oba Mage
1973 Hodama Velava
1973 Hodai Narakai
1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Kamal[32]
1974 Onna Babo Billo Enawa
1974 Sanakeliya Priyantha [33]
1975 Hitha Hoda Minihek
1975 Raththaran Amma
1975 Awa Soya Adare Gamini[34]
1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975 Cyril Malli
1975 Suraya Surayamai Gamini, Frank[35]
1976 Kawuda Rajaa Manuel[36]
1976 Hulavali Dhaara
1976 Nilla Soya Dhamme[37]
1976 Nayana
1977 Yakadaya Sumanadasa aka Yakadaya[38]
1977 Chin Chin Nona[39]
1977 Deviyani Oba Koheda Father Sebastian[40]
1977 Chandi Putha Gamini[41]
1978 Chandi Shyama
1978 Asha Daasin Nalin
1978 Hitha Mithura
1978 Apsara
1978 Seetha Devi Ravi Ranaraja aka Ravana
1979 Amal Biso Bayisa
1979 Minisun Athara Minihek Maithree
1979 Neelakadalin Orathile (Tamil film)
1979 Sarungale Nadarajah[42]
1980 Mal Kekulu Manjula[43]
1980 Uthumaneni Siripala
1980 Mayurige Kathawa
1980 Sankapali Sanka
1981 Chanchala Rekha Sirisena
1981 Thavalama
1981 Bandura Mal Thirakotuwe Arachchi
1981 Ridee Thella Podda
1981 Sagarayak Meda Dr.Moladanda, Frederick Ramanayake
1982 Sakvithi Suvaya Bucket Harry
1982 Miss Mallika
1982 Hello Shyama
1985 Yuganthaya Simon Kabalana
1986 Yali Hamuvennai
1986 Koti Waligaya Police officer Sarath Ranasinghe
1986 Puja A condemned
1987 Sathyagrahanaya Minister[44]
1987 Ahinsa Himself
1987 Ottui Baruwata
1989 Shakthiya Obai Amme
1991 Uthura Dakuna Ramanayake
1993 Sajant Nallathambi Police chief
1994 Nomiyena Minisun Colonel Ranabahu
1994 Shakthi Police chief
1994 Pavana Raluviya
1995 Mama Baya Ne Shyama
1995 Demodara Palama Chutte[45]
1996 Loku Duwa Marasinghe[46]
1997 Apaye Thathpara Asu Haradahak King Yama
1998 Anthima Reya Linton Cooray

As a producer[edit]

Year Film Director
1967 Sorungeth Soru Mike Wilson
1972 Sahanaya J. Selvarathnam

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Actors of Sinhala cinema - Gamini Fonseka". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  2. ^ "The universal symbol of Sinhala cinema: On the occasion of Gamini Fonseka's 85th birthday". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  3. ^ "In memory of Gamini". sundaytimes. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Trinity of Sinhala cinema". Divaina. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. ^ "D. S. Jayasekera – the consummate educator The Chief Editor, Sunday Observer 6th August 2006". tyretracks.com. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Tributes to cinema legend Gamini flow in". BBC News. 30 September 2004.
  7. ^ "Nation says goodbye to silver screen hero". BBC News. 3 October 2004.
  8. ^ "Sinhala film legend Gamini dies". BBC News. 30 September 2004.
  9. ^ "The Great Harvest of the Performance of a Film Excellence". Silumina. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  10. ^ a b "It's 16 years". Hiru FM. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Gamini: the most prolific stage personality in Hela cinema". Silumina. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Sagarayak Meda". www.imdb.com.
  13. ^ a b Kumara, Nuwan Nayanajith. ගාමිණි – විශ්වීය රූපණවේදයක ආසියානු පුරෝගාමියා. Sarasa Publishing Private Limited. p. 295. ISBN 955-8811-61-0.
  14. ^ a b "Sinhala Cinema Wanshakathaawa" by "A. D. Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara"
  15. ^ "Gamini Fonseka filmography". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  16. ^ "All about "Parasathu Mal"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  17. ^ "All about 'Uthumaneni'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  18. ^ "All about the film Ranmuthu Duwa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  19. ^ "All about the blockbuster film "Gamperaliya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  20. ^ "All about the film "Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  21. ^ "All about "Chandiya"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  22. ^ "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  23. ^ "All about Seegiri Kashyapa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  24. ^ "The western sky fades to red paintings". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  25. ^ "All about "Rena Giraw"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  26. ^ "All about the film "Okkoma Hari"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  27. ^ "All about the film "Ohoma Hondada"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Hadata Wadata Hari Soorayo: Hathara Denama Soorayo film". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  29. ^ "All about Sahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  30. ^ "40 years for the greatest film ever produced in Sinhala cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  31. ^ "Obata Thiyena Adare". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  32. ^ "All about the film "Kasthuri Suwanda"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  33. ^ "All about Senakeliya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  34. ^ "All about Awa Soya Adare". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  35. ^ "All about the film "Suraya Surayamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  36. ^ "All about the film "Kawuda Raja"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  37. ^ "All about Nilla Soya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  38. ^ "All about Yakadaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Chin Chin Nona, who came before Tom Pachaya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Deviyani Oba Koheda". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  41. ^ "All about Chandi Putha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  42. ^ "All about Sarungale". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  43. ^ "All about the film "Mal Kekulu"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  44. ^ "All about Sathyagrahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  45. ^ "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  46. ^ "Loku Duwa appears on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

External links[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by Governor of North Eastern Province
1995–1998 		Succeeded by
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