Sunil Soma Peiris

Pattiyage Sunil Soma Peiris (Pattiyage Sunil Soma Peiris, 13 April 1948 – 10 December 2021) was a Sri Lankan screenwriter, actor, editor and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema. He was a prolific director who directed the most films in Sri Lankan cinema with forty five commercial films in various genres.

Personal life He was born on 13 April 1948 in Maharagama, Ceylon, as the second child of the family with eight siblings. His father Salaman Peiris, was a businessman and mother was a housewife. He completed education from Buwanekaba Maha Vidyalaya, Maharagama. His school contemporaries are Nuwan Gunawardana, Amarasiri Peiris and Kandupola Kumaratunga.

In 1971, he married his longtime partner, Malani Ayesha Perera. The couple has two sons: Rohana Prema Kumara, Sudesh Wasantha and one daughter, Vasanthika Piyanga Kumuduni. Vasanthika's son Keshan Prasanna is a popular musician. Sudesh's daughter Chamathka is a songstress and playback singer.

Since the 1980s, he suffered minor complications with diabetes. At that time, he had a kidney transplant.

Career During school times, he acted in many Vesak dramas conducted in his hometown. Then he joined the drama group of Albert Gurunnanse and acted in Kolam dramas. Then within 25 years, he made forty-five films. Out of the forty five films made by him, eight were co-directed with his son Sudesh Wasantha. In 1986 he co-directed the film Dinuma with Ananda Wickramasinghe. The first seven films (Obaṭa Divurā Kiyannam, Jaya Apaṭai, Mamai Rajā, Raja Wæḍakārayō, Yukthiyaṭa Væḍa, Dinuma and Obaṭai Priyē Aādarē) directed by Sunil Soma were screened for more than 100 days in a row, a record in Sinhala cinema.

In 1986, he directed the film Obatai Priye Adare which was screened in 1987. Before the assassination of lead actor Vijaya Kumaratunga in February 1987, the film ran 75 days with less income. But after the assassination, the film ran for 130 days and became a blockbuster. On the final day of screening at Ritz Hall, the film crew donated 10 wheelchairs to commemorate Kumaratunga. In 1989, his film Mamai Raja became a blockbuster hit and passed 100 days. After reaching 100 days, producers Sonia Disa and Sunil T. opened two bank books for Kumaratunga's children, Vimukthi and Yashodara and Rs. 25,000 was deposited.

Other roles Year Film Roles Ref. 1968 Vahal Dupatha uncredited role 1970 Lakseta Kodiya uncredited role 1973 Thushara Second Assistant Director 1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa Assistant Director 1978 Tikira Assistant Director 1979 Geheniyak Assistant Director 1979 Monarathenna Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor, Actor: Hatha 1980 Tak Tik Tuk Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor 1980 Muwan Palessa 2 Assistant Director, Actor: Sagaya 1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Assistant Director 1981 Geethika Assistant Director 1982 Newatha Hamuwemu Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor, Actor: Canteen Mana 1983 Ran Mini Muthu 1983 Sister Mary Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor 1984 Jaya Sikurui Assistant Director 1985 Aeya Waradida Oba Kiyanna Assistant Director 1985 Mihidum Salu 1997 Savithirige Rathirya Screenwriter 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa Somasekera 1999 Unusum Rathriya Screenwriter 1999 Anduru Sewanali Screenwriter 2001 Daru Upatha Screenwriter 2002 Miss Lanka Co-producer 2002 Mamath Geheniyak Screenwriter 2003 Pin Pon Screenwriter