Bandara Wijethunga

Senarath Bandara Ananda Kulathilaka Wijethunga (born 28 January 1939 – 3 January 1990) , popularly known as Bandara K. Wijethunga, was a poet, short story writer, creative publisher, songwriter and radio artist.

Personal life Wijetunga was born on 28 January 1939 in Pallegama Weliganwatta, Weauda Korale, Kurunegala. His father Wijetunga Mudiyanselage Punchi Banda Wijayatunga was a teacher by profession. His mother, Herath Mudiyanselage Bandara Menike Herath was a housewife. He has one sister Chinta Padmini, who was also a teacher. Wijetunga received his primary education at St. Beed College, Badulla. Then he attended Ananda College, Colombo in 1953 to complete studies from English medium. His classmates at the school are, J. B. Disanayake, D.B. Nihalsinghe, Sunanda Mahendra, Asoka Ponnamperuma and Wijeratne Warakagoda.

He was married to longtime partner Kalyani Piyasomi Samaraweera, who was an old girl at Devi Balika Vidyalaya. They married on August 6, 1969. The couple has one daughter, Uma Indeewari. Kalyani worked as an English lecturer at the Teacher Training College, Maharagama. Wijetunga died on January 3, 1990, after being admitted to the hospital at noon and died around 5 pm following a brief illness at the age of 50. The funeral took place on 6 January 1990 at the Borella Cemetery.

As a radio songwriter, he became very popular with the songs "Mahada Namathi Wana Bambara" by H.R. Jothipala, "Ruwan Thoran Thana" and "Mulu Loke Pura" by Christopher Paul, "Ayubowan Ayubowan" by G. S. B. Rani. Apart from them, he also made lyrics to popular singers W.D. Amaradeva, Sanath Nandasiri, Milton Mallawarachchi, Victor Rathnayake, Neela Wickramasinghe and Sunil Edirisinghe. In 1984, Wijethunga won the award for the Best film lyricist at Presidential film festival for the film Ridee Nimnaya. He made lyrics for the films Podi Malli, Sri Madara, Sudda, Asha Dasin, Biththi Hathara, Madhusamaya. In 1992, the song "Sagara Weralaka Piya Satahan" in the film Madhusamaya won the award for the Best Lyricist at Sarasaviya and the Presidential award festivals. In 2001, his glossary work Sulanga Wage Awidin won State Literary Award for Best Lyricist of the Year.

After Sirimavo Bandaranaike was deprived of her civic rights, the artists signed a petition which included Wijethunga as well. The publication of songs and names of signatories was banned by the radio whereas Wijayatunga lost his radio job as well as the propaganda work of the National Film Corporation. He received the job after few years under the guidance of Nihal Silva.

Filmography As lyricist Year Film Other roles Ref. 1966 Sudu Duwa Screenwriter 1978 Asha Dasin 1979 Podi Malli 1980 Mal Kekulu 1981 Bangali Walalu 1981 Sudda 1982 Bicycle 1982 Ridee Nimnaya 1982 Biththi Hathara 1982 Newatha Hamuwemu 1984 Jaya Sikurui 1985 Rajina 1986 Prarthana Screenwriter 1986 Dinuma Screenwriter 1986 Avurududa 1987 Hitha Honda Chandiya 1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1988 Rasa Rahasak 1988 Satana 1989 Randenigala Sinhaya 1990 Dedunnen Samanaliyak 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya 1991 Madhusamaya 1991 Salambak Handai 1991 Dhanaya 1992 Roomathiyay Neethiyay 1993 Sargent Nallathambi 1993 Sasara Sarisarana Thek Oba Mage 1993 Yasasa