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Lionel Deraniyagala

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Lionel Deraniyagala
ලයනල් දැරණියගල
Born
Lionel Danthanarayana

(1940-08-24)24 August 1940
Died30 July 1994(1994-07-30) (aged 53)
EducationMahinda College
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1960–1994
SpouseThilaka Deraniyagala (m. 1973)
Children2

Lionel Danthanarayana (born 24 August 1940 – died 30 July 1994 as ලයනල් දැරණියගල) [Sinhala]), popularly known by his stage name Lionel Deraniyagala, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater.[1] One of the most popular villain artists ever in Sri Lankan film history, he had a career for more than three decades as the antagonist.[2]

Personal life

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He was born on 24 August 1940 in Galle as the youngest of the family with three siblings. He completed his education at Mahinda College, Galle.

He was married to fellow actress Thilaka in 1973. The couple has one daughter, Priyanthi Shyamali, and one son, Chulananda.[3]

In 1975, he was working in the batik industry with his wife. In 1981, he went Middle East for a job.[4] He returned to Sri Lanka in 1983 and continued on business.[3]

Deraniyagala fell ill at Ragama rehabilitation hospital after an accident on February 4, 1994. He died on 30 July 1994 at the age of 53.[4]

Career

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He has acted in minor roles on the school stage. At the age of 14, he met popular film actor and filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne along with his closest friend and eventual film actor Senaka Perera. At that time, Jayamanne was preparing for the film Kale Handa and was looking for a young man to play the role of "John Jayapala". Although Senaka introduced Deraniyagala to Jayamanna, it was age that mattered. Jayamanne informed Deraniyagala to meet him after finishing school times. After completing his studies, he came to Colombo to find a job at the age of 20. In 1960, he was selected for the lead role in the film Ekolos Ginna directed by Gilbert Hewavitharana. Hewavitharana changed his birth name Danthanarayana to Deraniyagala. Although the film was not produced, he was left with the name "Deraniyagala".[3]

While working as a booking clerk at Lionel Ceylon Theaters, he met filmmaker Roland Amarasinghe. Amarasinghe asked him to come to Navajeewana Theater for the screen test. He was selected for the lead role of "Udeni" in the 1966 film Kolamba Hadayo with the new actress Shirani Gunatilleke.[4] Meanwhile, he was selected to the stage play Abhimanaya produced by Sudas Masakorala. Then in the 1969 film Mee Masso, he acted along with Gamini Fonseka and Sonia Disa.[3]

Deraniyagala emerged as an antagonist in the 1971 blockbuster film Hathara Denama Soorayo directed by Neil Rupasinghe.[5] After the film, popular actor Eddie Jayamanne appreciated his villain role and said that "You are the best villain after Dommy Jayawardena". Since that, he received several villain roles in popular films Rena Giraw, Ran Onchilla, Rajagedara Paraviyo, Edath Suraya Adath Suraya, Gijulihiniyo, Kesara Sinhayo, Ridee Thella, Kasthuri Suwanda and Raja Kello. He played the lead role in the 1979 film Sawdan Jema bringing a sense of humor. He also played a caricature in the 1973 film Sinawai Inawai and then Deraniyagala played a different role as Gamini Fonseka's brother in the 1978 film Apsara.[3][4]

Deraniyagala acted with his wife in few films including Gijulihiniyo, Vanarayo and Raja Kollo. After had children, his wife quit acting.[3]

He acted in a few stage plays such as Suli Sulang and Rella. The film, titled Neethiyada Shakthiyada, was released on 13 January 1995 and was screened as Inspector Geetha, where Deraniyagala was the producer.[3][4]

In 1990, Deraniyagala won a Merit Award for the film Randenigala Sinhaya at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.[3][4]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Film Role Ref.
1966 Kolamba Hadayo Udeni Deraniyagala
1967 Manamalayo
1969 Hari Maga Percy
1969 Mee Masso
1969 Hathara Peraliya
1970 Akkara Paha Doctor [6]
1971 Kesara Sinhayo Sankara 'Kesara Sinhaya'
1971 Pujithayo Sidney
1971 Ran Onchilla [7]
1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Harry [8][9]
1971 Samanala Kumariyo
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Dickie
1973 Suhada Pethuma [10]
1973 Sinawai Inawai
1973 Hondai Narakai
1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Bandara Hamu [11]
1974 Rodi Gama Kirivanthey
1975 Pem Kurullo
1975 Gijulihiniyo
1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975 Sadhana
1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975 Hitha Honda Minihek
1976 Nayana
1976 Vanarayo
1976 Haratha Hathara
1977 Hithuwakkarayo
1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977 Sajaa
1977 Chin Chin Nona [12]
1978 Madhuwanthi Ashok 'Manager'
1978 Apsara
1979 Raja Kollo Pala
1979 Sawdan Jema Raja 'Sawdan Jema'
1979 Visihathara Peya Amare
1980 Sinhabahu
1980 Sabeetha Mr. Sirisena
1981 Sathkulu Pawwa Wilbert
1981 Ridee Thalla
1981 Dayabara Nilu Superintendent 'Loku Mahaththaya'
1982 Anuradha
1982 Sumithuro Suranga
1983 Loku Thaththa
1985 Mawbima Nathinam Maranaya
1989 Sinasenna Raththaran
1989 Mamai Raja Ranjith Weerawardena
1989 Randenigala Sinhaya Hamu
1990 Chandi Raja
1990 Jaya Shakthi
1990 Yukthiyata Wada Mr. Samaraweera
1991 Paaradise
1991 Cheriyo Doctor Chance
1991 Aibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991 Bambara Kalapaya
1992 Sathya
1992 Malsara Doni
1992 Sinha Raja
1993 Sasara Sarisarana Thek
1993 Surayan Athara Veeraya Rohitha 'Boss'
1994 150 Mulleryawa Jamis Jayatunga 'Mudalali'
1994 Mawbime Veerayo
1995 Chandiyage Putha Corrupt Inspector
1995 Cheriyo Captain Partygoer
1995 Inspector Geetha Ravi
1995 Deviyani Sathya Surakinna Rex Mayadunna 'Rathu'
2000 Undaya Seram 'Hamu'
2001 Kolamba Koloppan
2006 Supiri Balawatha
2007 Hai Master

References

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  1. ^ "Actors of Sinhala cinema - Lionel Deraniyagala". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Here are 8 sinister characters who lit up our silver screen". Aniwa. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Colombo guy from Galle". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Lionel Deraniyagala resigns from the job". Divaina. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  5. ^ "The not-so-bad villains of Lankan cinema". lifie. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  6. ^ "All about the film "Akkara Paha"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. ^ "All about Ran Onchilla". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Hadata Wadata Hari Soorayo: Hathara Denama Soorayo film". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  9. ^ "Hathara Denama Surayo". Resa. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  10. ^ "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  11. ^ "All about the film "Kasthuri Suwanda"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  12. ^ "Chin Chin Nona, who came before Tom Pachaya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-03-05.