Bandula Vithanage

Bandula de Silva Vithanage (born 11 September 1940 – died 1 September 2014 as බන්දුල විතානගේ) [Sinhala]) was an actor and director in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television as well as a translator, director, playwright and scriptwriter. One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan art and drama, Vithanage has produced several critically acclaimed television serials and stage dramas during his five decades of drama career. He is the pioneer to introduce Shakespearean theater to Sri Lankan theater with several plays such as Veniciye Velenda, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.

He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital at the age of 73.

Personal life He was born on 11 September 1940 in Gonagala. He attended Athuruwella Primary School for primary education and then moved to Carey College, Colombo to complete up to G.C.E O/L. He completed his A/L education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda.

His son Nalaka Vithanage is a popular filmmaker. He has produced three stage dramas - Rathri Bojanaya (2004), Kasi Malla (2006) and Upanda Maranaya (2009). Nalaka is an old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo. Bandula Vithanage's niece Yashoda Wimaladharma is a popular actress in Sinhala television and cinema.

Career In 1963, he started stage drama acting with P. Velikala's production Rathnavali with the role 'Vidushaka'. in 2007 and Paththara Gedara in 2008. In 2009, he acted in the stage play produced by his son Nalaka, Upanda Maranaya.

He joined the Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in its early years and had a brief serving period. He lived in England for three and a half years after the expulsion from SLRC along with Lucien Bulathsinhala.

Selected television serials

Amuthu Minissu Anthima Rathriya Antharjana Minisa Asal Vesiyo Asani Wesi Atta Bindei Bhavana - Akala Rathriya Bhawathra Bumu Thurunu Depath Nai Deva Daruwo Devana Warama Eka Iththaka Mal Heeye Manaya Hiru Avarata I Love Jennie Isisara Isawwa Jayathuru Sankaya Malaya Paradeesaya Paththara Gedara Punchi Kumarihami Puthu Senehasa Ranga Soba Rupantharaya Sudu Kapuru Pethi Three-wheel Malli Urumaya Soya Vishwanthari Veniciye Velenda Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu Macbeth Haemotama Waeradila Romaya Gini Gani - 2 Romeo Juliet Hamlet Sandeepanee Sikuru Sanakeli Senehabara Dolly Jeewana Rekawa Itu Pathuma Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette A Sonduru Minisa

Death He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital while receiving treatments. His remaining were kept at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella on 2 September and brought to National Art Gallery on 4 September. Final rites performed at 4.00 pm and buried at Borella Cemetery on the same day.

Awards and accolades His play Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak won many awards at State Drama Festival in 1971 including Best Actress and Best Stage Designing. In 1996, the play Romaya Gini Gani won major awards including the Best Production, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting actor at State Drama Festival. On 30 January 2011, a felicitation program was held at John de Silva Theatre to celebrate 70 years of his life.