Kingsley Rajapakse

Kumarasinghe Rajapakse (9 April 1934 – 13 June 1983 කිංස්ලි රාජපක්ෂ), popularly known as Kingsley Rajapakse was a film director and actor in Sri Lankan cinema.

Personal life Kumarasinghe was born on 9 April 1934 in Udamadura village, Rikillagaskada, Walapane, Sri Lanka. His father, K. S. D. Rajapaksa was a teacher. His mother Weerasinghe Menike was a housewife. He was educated at St. Sylvester College, Kandy.

He had seven brothers including: Wijewardena, Wickramaratne, Premachandra and a sister named Indrani. Among these, Wijewardene Rajapaksa, was involved in cinema, produced the films Ran Kurullo and Rathu Makara directed by Kingsley. His brother Premachandra Rajapaksa, was a retired teacher. His son Dhammika Rajapaksa works as a lighting and assistant costume designer for films and teledramas at a Nugegoda Production Company.

However, he had a tough time with economy during this period. Then he produced a stage play named Daivaya along with one of his friends. Later in 1956, he was introduced to film director T.K. Somasekaran by his friend. At that time, Somasekaran was preparing to direct the film Saradam. In the film, Kumarasinghe was selected to write the dialogue and co-direct it as well as played a minor role. Meanwhile, Somasekaran insisted Kumarasinghe to change his name. Then he gave the name 'Kingsley' which is appropriate for the screen.

Filmography Year Film Roles Ref. 1954 Saradam Co–director 1955 Perakadoru Bena 1958 Deyyange Rate 1958 Suneetha 1958 Sepali 1959 Avishwasaya Dialogue Writer, Raja 1959 Sri 296 Assistant Director, Norton 1960 Pirimiyek Nisa Assistant director, Dialogue Writer 1963 Wena Swargayak Kumatada? Co–director 1963 Deepashika Director, Actor: Lucky 1965 Handapana Director 1965 Hithata Hitha Director, screenwriter 1968 Singithi Surathal Director 1968 Indunila Director, screenwriter 1971 Kalana Mithuro Director, Art Director 1973 Suhada Pethuma Director 1973 Sinawai Inawai Director 1976 Ganga Composer 1977 Sudu Paraviyo Director, screenwriter, Film Editor 1979 Raan Kurullo Director, screenwriter, Film Editor