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Piyadasa Wijekoon

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Piyadasa Wijekoon
පියදාස විජේකෝන්
Born
Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Piyadasa

(1940-10-22)October 22, 1940
DiedFebruary 9, 2003(2003-02-09) (aged 62)
EducationVidyawardana Maha Vidyalaya, Narahenpita
Occupation(s)Actor, Dramatist, Stunt man
Years active1957–2000
ChildrenPriyantha Wijekoon

Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Piyadasa (22 October 1940 – 9 February 2003 as පියදාස විජේකෝන්) was a Sri Lankan stunt and character actor. His career spanned over 42 years with 140 films and he played a wide variety of roles in that time.[1] Perhaps one of his most notable was as a Police Inspector in Siripala Saha Ranmenike (1977). This was an unusual role as most of his roles were negative up to that time.

Personal life

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Wijekoon attended Narahenpita Vidyawardena School.[2] His son Priyantha Wijekoon is also an actor.[2]

Acting career

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He made his film debut uncredited in a song sequence of the film Sirakaruwa in 1957. He got his first major role in A. S. Nagarajan's Purusha Ratnaya (1959) playing the brother of the heroine. It was Nagarajan who suggested he stylize his name as 'Piyadasa Wijekoon'.[2]

After Nagarajan, Robin Tampoe took Wijekoon under his wing and began giving him roles in his films. Under Tampoe's guidance Wijekoon shaved his hair and played a villain for the first time in Suhada Divi Piduma (1961). This role proved popular and Wijekoon was flooded with villain roles from then on.[2] Some of his popular stage dramas include Siwamma Dhanapala, Apuru Yahaluwo and Manape.[3]

Through the 1960s and 1970s, Wijekoon's performances in films revolved around playing henchman and thug type characters who got into and lost fights with the hero. A notable exception was Siripala Saha Ranmenike where he played a positive character though still at odds with the anti-hero Ravindra Randeniya.[2]

In the 1980s and 1990s as he grew fatty and older Wijekoon began to take comedic roles and stopped doing fighting roles.[2]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Ref.
1957 Sirakaruwa Dancer
1959 Purusha Rathnaya Samarasinghe
1959 Ma Ale Kala Tharuniya
1961 Suvineetha Lalani
1962 Suhada Divi Piduma Jimmy
1962 Sudu Sande Kalu Wala Bald Thug
1964 Samaje Api Okkoma Samanai Samson 'Punchi Hamu'
1964 Sulalitha Sobani Jayasekara
1965 Sudo Sudu Army joiner
1965 Landaka Mahima
1966 Segawena Sewanella
1966 Kolamba Hadayo Suraweera
1966 Mahadenamuththa Egg offerer
1966 Kinkini Paada
1966 Sampatha
1966 Senasili Suwaya Mistaken good samaritan
1966 Akka Nayo
1968 Wahal Dupatha
1968 Baduth Ekka Horu Nambiyar's boss
1969 Mee Masso
1969 Pickpocket Dharme's foe
1969 Pancha
1970 Ohoma Hondada [4]
1971 Pujithayo Vijay
1971 Davena Pipasa
1971 Kathuru Muwath Murdered cashier
1971 Abhirahasa Opening antagonistic bargoer
1971 Kesara Sinhayo Vijay
1971 Seeye Nottuwa
1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Security Guard
1972 Ada Mehemai Home money offerer
1972 Hathara Wate
1972 Ihatha Athmaya Piya
1972 Miringuwa
1973 Aparadhaya Ha Danduwama
1973 Thushara Vijay henchman [5]
1973 Hondama Welawa
1973 Sunethra
1973 Hondai Narakai
1973 Dahakin Ekek Sam
1974 Duleeka
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1974 Surekha
1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Somey [6]
1974 Lasanda Henchman
1974 Onna Babo Billo Enavo Bubamba
1974 Rodi Gama Game Adiriya
1975 Gijulihiniiyo Mahathun
1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Dougie
1975 Obai Mamai Dougie
1975 Awa Soya Adare Hamu [7]
1975 Sukiri Kella Piyadasa Mudalali
1975 Cyril Malli
1975 Ranwan Rekha
1975 Damayanthi
1975 Sadhana
1975 Hadawatha Wasanthaya
1975 Sangeetha [8]
1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa
1976 Nayana
1976 Kawuda Raja Finale Sena fighter
1976 Loka Horu
1976 Haratha Hathara
1976 Asha
1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Swami
1977 Aege Adara Kathawa Vijay
1977 Chin Chin Nona [9]
1977 Honda Hitha
1977 Siripala Saha Ranmenika Inspector Wijekoon [10]
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Eidiris 'Mudalali'
1977 Tom Pachaya Rupasena 'Edward Rajakaruna'
1977 Niwena Ginna
1978 Sithaka Suwanda Lilly's Suitor
1978 Vishmaya Andiriya
1978 Kundalakeshi Sathruka's man
1978 Tikira Somey
1978 Anupama Robbery victim
1979 Raja Kollo Dharme's man
1979 Muwan Palessa Gobira
1979 Monarathenna Hurathala 'Mama' [11]
1979 Akke Mata Awasara Piyadasa
1979 Rosa Mal Thunak Mahadana Mutha
1979 Sawudan Jema
1979 Subhani
1979 Nuwan Renu Tamil gardener
1980 Anuhasa
1980 Sinhabahu
1980 Api Dedena
1981 Valampuri
1981 Eka Dawasak Ra Roland
1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Loku Hamu
1982 Sudu Ayya Sarath's father
1982 Eka Diga Kathawak
1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak
1982 Sithara
1982 Thakkita Tharikita
1982 Newatha Hamuwemu Gang leader
1983 Sasara Wasana Thura
1983 Sumithuro Simon
1983 Chandi Siriya
1983 Hithath Hondai Wadath Hondai
1984 Veera Madduma Bandara
1984 Kokila Piyadasa
1984 Muthu Menike
1984 Kekille Rajjuruwo
1984 Namal Renu
1984 Ara Soyza Vadigapatuna
1988 The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck Panang Chief
1988 Ko Hathuro
1988 Newatha Api Ekwemu
1989 Mamai Raja Ranjith's Advisor
1989 Sinasenna Raththaran
1990 Sambudu Mahima
1990 Walawwe Hamu
1990 Chandi Raja
1990 Honda Honda Sellam Inspector Koon
1991 Uthura Dakuna
1991 Raja Kello
1991 Raja Sellan
1991 Lave In Bangkok
1991 Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991 Suwadena Suwayak
1992 Sakvithi Raja
1992 Chandi Rejina
1992 Sinha Raja
1992 Sathya
1993 Chaya Maya
1993 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1993 Juriya Mamai Victor
1994 Nohadan Landune
1994 Sujatha Driver
1995 Wasana Wewa
1995 Vijay Saha Ajay Pushpa's father
1995 Chandiyage Putha Pancha
1996 Naralowa Holman Loku Mamma
1996 Mana Mohini Libuto
1996 Seema Pawuru
1997 Punaruthpaththia
1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k
1999 Kolompoor Lorry Munna

References

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  1. ^ "Piyadasa Wijekoon bio". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kumara, NuwanNayanajith (2005). Sri Lankeya Cinema Vanshaya (Sri Lankan Film Chronicle). Sarasavi Publishers. ISBN 955-573-367-8.
  3. ^ "Remembering Piyadasa Wijekoon". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  4. ^ "All about the film "Ohoma Hondada"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  5. ^ "All about the film "Thushara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. ^ "All about Duppathage Hithawatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  7. ^ "All about Awa Soya Adare". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. ^ "All about Sangeetha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Chin Chin Nona, who came before Tom Pachaya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  10. ^ "Siripala and Ranmenika highlighted the poetic mind of the misguided man". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  11. ^ "All about Monarathanna". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
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