Premnath Moraes

Joseph Peter Moraes Fernando (born 31 January 1923 – died 24 May 1998 as ), popularly known as Premnath Moraes, was an actor, film director and scriptwriter in Sri Lankan cinema as well as appeared in versatile forms: singer, lyricist, film production executive, weightlifter, athlete, gymnast, journalist and sports administrator.

Personal life Moraes was born on 31 January 1923 in Colombo in a Tamil Catholic family. He first attended to St. Benedict's College, Colombo, but the school was later moved to Veyangoda due to World War II. Therefore, his family moved to Negombo and attended to Maris Stella College. During his school times, he excelled sports and the arts where he represented St. Benedict's Cricket and Soccer teams.

Soon after school, he joined the Police force. Later he was seconded to the CID. However, he spoke openly at the funeral of a colleague gunned down when leading an unarmed raid, Moraes was sacked from the police.

He died on 24 May 1998 at the age of 75.

During this period, he met several Indian composers such as Ravi Shankar. Later he moved to Bombay joined with Raj Kapoor–Nargis circle. Moraes became a close friend of Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar. After returning to Sri Lanka, he excelled as a singer where he contracted to the His Master's Voice label and recorded few solos as well as duets with Latha Walpola and Chitra Somapala.

He was Production Manager at Gemini Studios in Madras at that time. Under Moraes guidance, many Sinhala films were edited, dubbed and produced at Gemiini Studios. He also introduced Gamini Fonseka to Lester James Peiris, where Fonseka received a non-starring role in Lester's film Rekava where Moraes was the Production Manager. In 1978, Moraes directed the Tamil Film Vaadai Kaatru.