Piyadasa Gunasekera

Hilla Liyanage Don Piyadasa Gunsekera (born 1915 – died 5 April 1980 as ), popularly known as Piyadasa Gunasekera, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema.

Personal life Piyadasa Gunasekara was born in 1915 in Maligakanda, Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was educated at Industrial College, Campbell Place and Ananda College, Colombo. After school life, he worked as a travel agent of Tram car driver for Trans International and enlisted in the Army during World War II.

His daughter Lankarajini is a singer who started her career in Sunen Gokula's 'Sangeetha Sandyawa' program in radio. She was educated at St. Paul's College, Milagiriya.

Career He started his acting career as a theater actor where he performed in the stage plays Rodi Kella and Samudra Devi produced by Sirisena Wimalaweera. Then in 1952, he made his first cinematic appearance with the drama religious film Siri Sangabo. Also his role as 'Podi Ralahamy' in the film Handapana. Some of his other popular films include: Daru Duka, Sāraviṭa, Maha Rǣ Hamu Vū Sthriya, Lasanda, Romeō Julieṭ Kathāvak, Veeduru Geval, Baḍuth Ekka Horu, Binaramalī, and Sikuruliyā. The film was based on the first horrific robbery and murder in Sri Lanka, known as the turf club robbery that occurred on 27 January 1949. After the success in the film, he received several villain roles again in the films: Hathara Wate, Vanaraja, Aparadaya Saha Danduwama, Kalyani Ganga, Jeevana Ganga and Tom Pachaya. In 1981, he played the role of 'Devadatta' in the film Ajasaththa, which became one of his other milestone.

In 1965 at the 2nd United Lanka Fans Society Award Ceremony, he won the award for Best Co Actor for his role in the film Suba Sarana Sapa Sithe. In 1968, he won the Special Awards at 5th Sarasaviya Awards for the film Daru Duka. Then in 1970 at 7th Sarasaviya Awards, Gunasekera won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Binaramalee.

Filmography Year Film Roles Ref. 1952 Siri Sangabo 1953 Laughing Anne Technical crew 1954 The Purple Plain Technical crew 1954 Elephant Walk Technical crew 1954 Star of Colombo Technical crew 1955 Seda Sulang Playback Singer, Anton 1957 Surasena Romiel 1958 Deyyange Rate 1958 Vana Mohini 1958 Sihinaya 1963 Sunilaa 1963 Deepashika Mr. Gunasekara 1964 Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe 1965 Handapana 1965 Saaravita Jackie 1966 Segawena Sewanella 1966 Senasuma Kothanada 1966 Maha Ra Hamuwu Sthriya 1966 Athulweema Thahanam 1966 Sampatha 1966 Kommissar X – Drei gelbe Katzen 1967 Rena Giraw Kolamba Hamu 1967 Hathara Kendare 1967 Sorungeth Soru 1967 Daru Duka Podi Ralahamy 1967 Sadol Kandulu 1967 Hitha Giya Thena 1968 Pini Bindu 1968 Hangi Hora 1968 Dehadaka Dura Heen Hamu's henchman 1969 Hari Maga Norbert henchman 1969 Baduth Ekka Horu Nambiyar 1969 Binaramalee Gunman 1969 Romeo Juliet Kathawak Gajanayake 1969 Paara Walalu 1970 Nim Walalla 1971 Davena Pipasa 1971 Haara Lakshaya J. L. D. 'Seney' Senaratne 1971 Maha Hene Riri Yaka John Rathsingha 1972 Hathara Wate 1972 Vanaraja 1972 Veeduru Gewal Uncle 1973 Aparadaya Saha Danduwama 1974 Kalyani Ganga Mudalali 1974 Jeewana Ganga 1974 Sihasuna 1974 Lasanda Silva 1975 Obai Mamai Piyadasa 1975 Sikuruliya Haramanis 1976 Nedeyo Adwagath Hamu 1977 Hithuvoth Hithuwamai Piyadasa 'Piya' 1977 Niluka 1977 Vanagatha Kella 1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai 1977 Sajaa 1977 Siripala Saha Ranmenika Nagaran 1977 Janaka Saha Manju Police Inspector 1978 Sasara 1978 Vishmaya Ralahamy 1979 Hingana Kolla Peduru 1979 Divi Thibena Thura Jokeenu 1979 Sugandi Doctor 1979 Sawudan Jema Kahathudawe Ralahamy 1979 Raja Kollo Jamis 1980 Seetha 1980 Sasaraka Pathum Shanthi's father 1980 Muwan Palessa 2 Gunman 1980 Raja Dawasak Adikaram 1981 Ajasaththa Devadaththa 1982 Sandaa Babarala 1982 Re Manamali 1982 Miss Mallika 1982 Sudu Ayya Mr. Ranatunga 1985 Mawbima Nathinam Maranaya