Wilson Gunaratne

Wilson Gunaratne (born March 9, 1949, as විල්සන් ගුණරත්න [Sinhala]) is an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. He is most notable for the role of Kodithuwakku in television comedy sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and stage drama Charitha Atak. It is the only stage play in Sri Lanka in which one actor portrays eight different characters with eight different voices.

Acting career At that time when he was working in an executive position in the field of hotel management, Gunaratne met Tony Ranasinghe through his elder brother. Under his guidance, Gunaratne played a minor role in a scene shot in the hotel premises for a film. Then Tony nominated Gunaratne for the role of the 'Duke' in Shakespeare's translation stage play Veniciye Welenda directed by playwright Bandula Vithanage. The play marked the turning point of his acting career. Later he performed in two of Vithanage's plays: Sakala Jana, Muhuṇu Dekak. Meanwhile, he did a scientific study of comedy at IFT, an affiliate of the University of Noida, New Delhi.

He was introduced to teledrama under the guidance of former parliamentary translator and actor Alfred Perera. Alfred has worked in China and the Philippines Radio. He invited Gunaratne to the orchestra for the popular television serial Vinoda Samaya program aired by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the drummer of that program. His maiden cinema acting came through film Samuganimi Ma Samiyani directed by his elder brother. Then he got a chance to play in his brother's second directed film Sasaraka Pethuma. In the meantime, he acted in the serial Sathpura Wasiyo with the role "Pappa" which made his hallmark in drama career. Since its opening, Charitha Hathak has completed 37 shows within eight months. His seven characters include, Kodituwakku from "Nonava-runi Mahatvaruni", Pappa, Prof. Pragnaratne, Transport Teacher Mr. Bastian, Prof. Marenzie (Italian).

In 1998, he made first directorial debut with the television political satire Kodivinaya telecast by ITN.

Selected stage dramas Charitha Hathak Charitha Atak

Selected television serials Bhavana - Amuttha Charitha Dekak Hathara Wate Kinihiraka Pipi Mal Kodivinaya Kiyadenna Adare Tharam Kula Kumariya Kulavilokanaya Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni Kathura Sadisi Tharanaya Vinivindimi Willy King Show Yes Madam

Filmography

Year Film Roles Ref. 1983 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani 1985 Adara Kathawa 1986 Koti Waligaya 1987 Sathyagrahanaya Lockout orator 1990 Thanha Asha 1991 Keli Madala Office Ranjani greeter 1998 Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Paththini Charles 1999 Theertha Yathra 2000 Pem Kekula Jayathunga 2003 Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna Garage owner 2012 A Common Man Prakash Kumar 2012 Jeevithe Lassanai Jayasundara, Wishwa's father 2013 Kauda Machan Alice 2013 Samanala Sandhawaniya Danny, Vadisha's Manager 2013 Double Trouble 2013 Sri Siddhartha Gautama Sage Asitha 2015 None Mage Sudu None Hector 2017 Ali Kathawa Maha Amathi 2018 Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara Sage Asitha 2019 Thaala Secretary Senaratne 2019 President Super Star J.R. Jayawardena dummy 2020 Suparna Professor 2020 Eka Gei Sokari 2026 Abheetha