Wilson Karunaratne

Wilson Karunaratne, popularly known as Wilson Karu (28 October 1942 – 3 May 2022) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, and stunt director. Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema, Karunaratne acted in more than 240 films across many genres primarily as main antagonist.

Personal life Wilson Karu was born on 28 October 1942 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the second child of the family with four siblings. He had one elder brother, one younger sister and one younger brother. He completed education from Lumbini College, Colombo. During young ages, he played football, cricket, gymnastics, wrestling, judo and karate. Once he was selected to go to a football training camp in Pakistan, but he could not attend the camp as he fell from motor bike and broke the shoulder.

He never married and lived alone after the death of his parents. He died on 3 May 2022 at the age of 79. His remains were laid at Jayaratne parlour for public respect on 3 May 2022 and cremation took place at Kirulapone crematorium at 4 p.m on 4 May 2022.

Career He had a long standing passion to be an actor star where he frequently went to the film halls to watch English and Sinhala films. A relative called Punya Bulathsinhala referred him to the director of the film Hadawath Naththo Subayar Makeem in 1974. Karunaratne made his maiden cinematic appearance through the 1974 film Hadawath Naththo as a stuntman.

With that he acted in more than 250 Sinhala films and 15 television serials particularly as the villain. Apart from cinema, he appeared in the television serials Thara Devi produced by Lucien Bulathsinhala and also in the serials Eranga and Ran Kahawanu. In 2018 he appeared in the music video Danuna produced by Iraj Weeraratne, where the public later criticized his appearance for the life of popular singer Victor Rathnayake.

Arrest In May 2020, Karu was arrest by the police due to obstruction of police duty in violation of quarantine laws. The incident had taken place in the Kirulapone area while attempting to obtain the Rs. 5000 allowance. He was produced to the court by Kirulapone police.

Accident In March 2021, Karu fell at his home and no one noticed for several hours. Neighbors rushed him to hospital after they saw the water continue to flow in the bathroom for a long time. He then received treatment at Ward 43 of the Colombo General Hospital. A Bodhi Pooja for a speedy recovery was held at the Bellanwila Temple on 21 March 2021.

Filmography and stunt coordination No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.

Year No. Film Roles Ref. 1974 288 Hadawath Naththo 1974 302 Jeewana Ganga 1976 352 Saradiyelge Putha Rate Mahaththaya's son 1977 365 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Karu 1977 381 Yakadaya Truck fighter 1978 389 Seetha Devi 1978 394 Hitha Mithura 1978 395 Selinage Walawwa Thug 1978 399 Veera Puran Appu Rebel 1978 407 Apeksha 1979 422 Wasanthaye Dawasak Premasiri 1979 429 Sugandhi 1980 441 Jodu Walalu 1980 451 Sasaraka Pathum 1980 465 Sinhabahu 1980 469 Kiduru Kumari Fishermen leader 1981 475 Sathweni Dawasa 1981 477 Valampuri 1981 485 Vajira John. as Stunt coordinator 1982 508 Bambara Geethaya Landlord 1982 512 Bicycale Hichchi Mahaththaya 1982 520 Anuradha 1982 521 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak as Stunt coordinator 1983 547 Sumithuro Share demander 1983 550 Yali Pipunu Malak 1983 552 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani as Stunt coordinator 1983 554 Chuttey Henchman 1983 560 Hasthi Viyaruwa 1983 564 Manik Maliga 1983 567 Samanala Sihina as Stunt coordinator 1983 568 Chandi Pataw Gracien 1984 578 Mala Giravi Pipe yard samaritan 1984 579 Kiri Kawadi Cyril 1984 584 Thaththai Puthai Karu 1984 589 Bambara Patikki 1984 593 Sasara Chethana Nicholas 1984 601 Batti 1984 607 Birinda 1985 619 Puthuni Mata Samawenna 1985 628 Du Daruwo 1985 631 Sura Duthiyo 1985 634 Kirimaduwal as Stunt coordinator 1986 643 Maldeniye Simion Wilson 1986 646 Koti Waligaya 1986 647 Pooja as Stunt coordinator 1986 649 Dinuma Piyadasa aka Bottle Piya 1987 660 Kivulegedara Mohottala Kiwuleygedera Mohottala 1987 657 Thaththi Man Adarei 1987 662 Kele Kella Fighting logger 1987 664 Nommana Ekai Willie. as Stunt coordinator 1987 665 Raja Wadakarayo Dixon 1987 666 Randamwal 1987 668 Obatai Priye Adare Henchman 1988 674 Gedara Budun Amma Mr. Gajanayake 1988 676 Amme Oba Nisa 1988 682 Ko Hathuro 1989 688 Okkoma Rajawaru 1989 691 Nommara 17 Wilson 1989 690 Shakthiya Obai Amme 1989 693 Waradata Daduwam 1990 698 Thanha Asha Willie 1990 699 Jaya Shakthi 1990 704 Hodin Naththam Narakin 1990 707 Pem Rajadahana 1990 710 Madu Sihina 1990 712 Christhu Charithaya Left side thief 1990 713 Honda Honda Sellam Don John 1990 714 Hitha Honda Puthek 1990 715 Hima Giri 1991 718 Paaradise 1991 719 Wada Barinam Wadak Na 1991 721 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya 1991 724 Hithata Dukak Nathi Minisa 1991 725 Asai Bayai 1991 729 Esala Sanda 1991 731 Salambak Handai 1991 735 Ali Baba Saha Horu Hathaliha 1991 736 Dhanaya 1992 742 Ranabime Weeraya 1992 747 Bajar Eke Chandiya 1992 751 Ahimi Dadaman 1992 752 Malsara Doni 1992 755 Kiyala Wadak Na Kapila's friend 1992 758 Okkoma Kanapita 1992 760 Oba Mata Wishwasai 1992 762 Suranimala 1992 763 Sathya 1992 764 Muwan Palesse Kadira 1992 765 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya Chula Gunathilaka 1993 771 Sargent Nallathambi B. O. G. de Soysa 1993 776 Sasara Sarisaranathek Oba Mage 1993 784 Bambasara Bisaw 1993 786 Sandarekha 1993 792 Soora Weera Chandiyo Wilson 1994 796 Ekada Wahi 1994 797 Jayagrahanaya 1994 805 Ahas Maliga 1994 808 Mawbime Weerayo 1994 810 Okkoma Hondatai 1994 813 Aathma 1995 820 Inspector Geetha Douglas 1995 825 Rodaya 1995 822 Vijay Saha Ajay 1995 826 Ira Handa Illa 1995 827 Pudumai Eth Aththai 1995 829 Wairayen Wairaya 1995 830 Demodara Palama Maurice 1995 834 Age Wairaya Rocky 1995 837 Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya Dougie 1996 845 Api Baya Naha Nayana abductor 1996 851 Sura Duruwo 1996 852 Veediye Weeraya 1996 854 Mana Mohini Kira 1996 858 Hiru Sanduta Madi Wee 1996 859 Seema Pawuru 1996 862 Mal Hathai 1997 873 Soorayo Wadakarayo 1997 879 Viyaru Gaheniyak 1997 888 Ninja Sri Lanka 1998 892 Yuda Gini Mada Wilson 1998 895 Sathutai Kirula Ape 1998 900 Girl Friend 1998 903 Age Wairaya 3 Tony 1999 910 Salupata Ahasata 1999 917 Ayadimi Sama Tikiri's father 2000 935 Dadabima Baladasa henchman. as Stunt coordinator 2000 936 Danduwama Mervin 2000 939 Age Wairaya 4 Bullet 2000 944 Pem Kekula 2001 950 Oba Koheda Priye Wilson 2001 951 Oba Magema Wewa 2002 973 Parliament Jokes Walisundara 2003 1002 Vala In London Gajasinghe 2003 1015 Sonduru Dadabima Inspector Wimalasena 2003 1016 Yakada Pihatu Gal Somey 2003 1017 Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak 2005 1051 One Shot Minister Walisundara 2005 1060 Seethala Hadu 2007 1091 Hai Master 2008 1108 Ali Pancha Mage Mithura 2008 1117 Nil Diya Yahana as Stunt coordinator 2011 1164 Putha Mage Sooraya 2012 1173 Vijaya Kuweni Chief of Yaksha clan 2014 1208 Ahelepola Kumarihami 2014 1209 Parapura 2015 1219 Bonikka 2015 1224 Sanjana 2019 1330 Thiththa Aththa 2022 Rashmi