Thilak Kumara Rathnayake

Deshashakthi Deshabandu Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Thilak Kumara Rathnayake (born 16 December 1960 as තිලක් කුමාර රත්නායක) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Thilak Kumara Rathnayake, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. One of the most popular television actors in Sri Lanka, Rathnayake is most notable for the trade mark role "Somadasa" in the television serial Kopi Kade. Apart from acting, he is a well known announcer and host in outdoor musical shows.

Personal life He was born on 16 December 1960 in Kolonnawa. He completed education from Terrence N. De Silva Maha Vidyalaya, Kolonnawa.

He also worked as a member of the Colombo Municipal Council. He also worked as a consultant to the National Youth Services Council, to conduct workshops for the students who follow the Advanced Levels.

In 2012, Rathnayake crashes into a three-wheeler and his right arm was broken near the elbow. However he continued to act in Kopi Kade with the banded arm.

Rathnayake is married to Anusha nimali and the couple has two sons – Anjana, Harshana – and one daughter, Tharushi. His maiden television acting came through Sath Hiru Paya. However, it was not telecast. He appeared in the series from the beginning which first aired on 1 April 1987 and continued to act in the series for more than 30 consecutive years up to date.

Apart from Kopi Kade he has acted in many notable roles in the television serials such as, Himi Ahimi, Rail Peeli and Dimuthu Muthu. In 2011, he played the role "Galawatte Jinadasa" in the popular television serial Ama which gained enormous popularity. Rathnayake also wrote the screenplay of the 2001 film Wasanthaye Kunatuwak.

Apart from acting, Rathnayake is a popular announcer in outdoor musical stage as well as television. His first television hosting was for "Shanida Wasanawa" lottery along with popular singer and announcer Charitha Priyadarshani. Since then, he worked as the announcer in many television programs such as "Ayubowan", "Shanida Ayubowan" and lottery programs. He was the announcer when LTTE made a bomb blast to assassinate Gamini Dissanayake in 1994. Luckily, he survived the bomb. Ee Gawa Ge Gini Kandu Kalani Palama Malwadam Anawashyay Labendiye Pawena Yakada Rathu Ira Uma

Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1982 Hello Shyama 1982 Kele Mal 1983 Karate Joe 1985 Varsity Kella 1989 Badulu Kochchiya 1990 Pem Raja Dahana 1990 Wana Bambara 1991 Obata Pamanai Adare 1991 Salambak Handai 1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya 1995 Deviyani Sathya Surakinna Jeevani's boyfriend 1997 Punaruthpaththiya 1999 Re Ru 2001 Wasanthaye Kunatuwak 2003 Sundarai Adare Lionel Dissanayake 2012 Vijaya Kuweni Juthindar Senadhipathi