Sunil Ariyaratne

Vidyodaya Vibhushana Sahithya Kala Shiromani Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne Kuruwita Bandara (සුනිල් ආරියරත්න; born 28 July 1949), popularly known as Sunil Ariyaratne, is a Sri Lankan scholar, film director, author, poet and a lyricist. One of the most popular filmmakers and lyricists in Sri Lankan cinema, Ariyaratne has won six Sarasaviya awards, four Presidential awards from the year 1981 as a film lyricist and then won three awards as a teledrama lyricists.

Personal life He was born on 28 July 1949, in Nugegoda as the fourth child of the family with six siblings. He completed his Primary and Secondary education at St. John's College, Nugegoda. He has three brothers and two sisters. His brother, Nimal Kuruwita Bandara, is a lawyer and another brother, Thilakaratne Kuruwita Bandara is a journalist and editor.

He sat for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level in 1963. After passing the senior examination, he was selected to Vidyodaya Pirivena (currently known as University of Sri Jayewardenepura) for higher studies. In 1971, he obtained a Sinhala Honours Degree (First Class).

He worked as a temporary lecturer at the University of Kelaniya in 1972. Thereafter, he served as a part-time lecturer at The Department of Aesthetics studies at the Kelaniya University from 1975-76. He moved to University of Jaffna as a Lecturer of Sinhala in 1976 and worked as a lecturer for three years.

In 2011, he was awarded Doctorate in Literature from Kelaniya University. In 2015, he was honored with second Doctorate in Literature in recognition of his contributions in the field of literature and the arts.

Career At the age of 11, he wrote a school play named Amal Biso. Then, in 1961 at the age of 16, Ariyaratne published a collection of short stories called Ähinsakayo. Some popular lyrics made by him include: Me guru pare, Podiduwage sina welai, Buddhanu Bhawena, Oba themei kiya bayyai, Api ethata ethata pa nagala, Viyo ge gayana, Yalu bala sande and Ane kurulu kooduwata gahanna ape.

In 1970, Ariyaratne extended his repertoire towards cinema, by producing his first short film Sara Gee and subsequently another short film, Dushkara Kriya six years later in 1976. His maiden feature length direction came through 1978 feature film Anupama.

In 2002, he directed the dramatic movie Sudu Sewaneli. The film won the Sarasaviya award for the Best Director and President's Medal for the Best Script of that year.

In 2008, he released a volume Visithuruya Re Ahasa which contained all his lyrics written for films, teleplays, social events such as the Tsunami devastation, light songs for radio, cassettes and CDs.

He directed the film Uppalavanna in 2008 which was based on a reinterpreted Buddhist story similar to a Theri gatha story. However, the movie received primarily negative reviews. Many criticized the various unnecessary characters in the movie (which do not have any role in the plot), the editing, and acting.

In 2012, he directed the film Kusa Pabha based on the 523rd story "Kusa Jataka" in the Jataka story series. The film won 12 awards at the 2013 Derana Lux Film Festival including popular actor, actress, movie, music direction, and singer.

In 2018, Ariyarante directed a historical story of Bimba Devi Alias Yashodara. It was screened on 26 April, at 85 cinema halls becoming the biggest number of the simultaneous screening in Sri Lanka. The film received mostly positive reviews from the critics. The film received positive reviews.

On 17 March 2020, he launched the second volume of Gandharwa Apadana which is a collection of 6 books written on 12 musicians.

Awards and accolades 1996 Sumathi Awards – Best Television Lyrics award for Sankranthi Samaya 2002 Sarasaviya Awards – Best Film award for Sudu Sewaneli 2004 Sumathi Awards – Best Television Lyrics award for Ramya Suramya 2010 Sumathi Awards – U.W. Sumathipala memorial award 2011 Raigam Tele'es – Best Television Lyrics award 2018 Hiru Golden Film Awards – Best Lyrics award for Paththini 2019 Derana Sunsilk Film Awards – Blockbuster Movie of the Year award for Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara

Filmography As director Year Film Other roles Ref. 1978 Anupama 1979 Sarungale 1979 Podi Mali 1980 Siribo Ayya 1980 Kinduru Kumari 1981 Kolamkarayo 1981 Bamba Ketu Hati Lyricist 1981 Sathara Pera Nimithi Lyricist 1981 Vajira 1982 Bambara Geethaya 1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak Lyricist 1982 Kele Mal Lyricist 1983 Muhudu Lihini 1985 Mihidum Salu 1990 Christhu Charithaya Screenwriter 1994 Ahas Maliga 2002 Sudu Sewaneli Producer, screenwriter, lyricist 2007 Uppalawanna Screenwriter 2016 Paththini Screenwriter, lyricist 2017 Ali Kathawa Screenwriter, lyricist 2018 Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara Screenwriter 2019 Vijayaba Kollaya 2023 Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina 2023 Kadira Divyaraja 2024 Gautama Buddha Matha

As lyricist Year Film Ref. 1970 Nim Walalla 1972 Lokuma Hinawa 1973 Matara Achchi 1974 Duleeka 1974 Dinum Kanuwa 1975 Tharanga 1975 Amaraneeya Adare 1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo 1975 Desa Nisa 1976 Madol Duwa 1976 Diyamanthi 1976 Hulavali 1976 Saradielge Putha 1976 Mangala 1977 Sri Madara 1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase 1978 Gehenu Lamai 1979 Amal Biso 1979 Chuda Manikya 1979 Handaya 1980 Ektam Ge 1981 Thavalama 1981 Ajasaththa 1981 Bandura Mal 1982 Sandaa 1982 Sakvithi Suwaya 1983 Kiri Suwanda 1983 Chandira 1984 Sasara Chethana 1986 Maldeniye Simion 1986 Sura Saradiel 1987 Viragaya 1990 Pem Rajadahana 1991 Sthree 1992 Umayangana 1993 Ragini 1994 Abhiyogaya 1994 Ambu Samiyo 1995 Seilama 1995 Demodara Palama 1996 Bithu Sithuwam 1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k 1997 Visidela 1998 Anthima Reya 1999 Mandakini 1999 Nagaran 2000 Indrakeelaya 2001 Mahadena Muththai Golayo Roththai 2001 Poronduwa 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu 2002 Kalu Sudu Mal 2002 Thahanam Gaha 2003 Sudu Salu 2005 Sulanga 2006 Samaara 2008 Aba 2008 Nil Diya Yahana 2010 Ape Yalu Punchi Bhoothaya 2011 Mahindagamanaya 2012 Daruwane 2013 Abhinikmana 2015 Mage Yalu Malu 2015 Address Na 2017 Wassanaye Sanda 2018 Adarei Man 2018 Punchi Andare 2018 Nidahase Piya DS