Bertram Fernando

Emanuel Anthony Bertram Fernando (10 April 1921 – 15 November 1986) , popularly known as Bertram Fernando, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama.

Personal life Fernando was born on 10 April 1921 in Dawatagahawatte, Negombo. He was educated at Maris Stella College, Negombo. He worked as a store keeper in the marketing department after he quit cinema.

He died on 15 November 1986 at the age of 65.

Career He joined Minerva Drama Company in Negombo under the guidance of B. A. W. Jayamanne. He first acted in stage play Avataraya in 1940 as an 18-year-old boy. Fernando made his cinema debut in the 1947 film Kadawunu Poronduwa, Sri Lanka's first film to be made in Sinhalese. He played the role "Mohommad" in that film. Popular actor Eddie Jayamanne has helped him to rise from the very beginning as a comic actor. He also played a caricature role "Junda" in the 1948 film Kapati Arakshakaya. In the film, he also debuted as a background singer by singing the song Udaya Nagita Muwa Soda. In the same year, Fernando played the role of "Pinto" in the film Weradunu Kurumanama. His song "Manthreekama Dinanawa" lyrics by C. Weerasekera and music by Mohammed Gauss was very popular. In 1952 film Umathu Wishwasaya he played the role "Abaran" along with his closer friend Eddie and performed and played a background duet song "Pissuwa".