Ranjan Ramanayake

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Honourable
Ranjan Ramanayake
MP
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament
for Ratnapura District
Incumbent
Assumed office
2010
Personal details
Born (1963-03-11) March 11, 1963
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Political party United National Party
Residence No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.
Alma mater Maristella College
Profession Actor
Religion Roman Catholic
Website http://www.ranjanramanayake.net

Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alponsu; known as Ranjan Ramanayake (Sinhala:රන්ජන් රාමනායක) (born 11 March 1963) is an actor[1] and film director, singer turned politician in Sri Lanka.[2][3]

Early life

Ramanayake was born on 11 March 1963 in Negambo. He studied at Maristella College. He added 'Ramanayake' to his name as a mark of respect to the filmmaker who first opened him the doors in the filmworld as a lead actor.[4]

Cinema

Ramanayake started to act in a leading role in the commercial film Jaya Kothenada and mainted his status a commercial film star through the 1990s. Ramanayake has occasionally branched out into more serious roles such as in Lester James Peries' Awaragira but continues to be known for his commercial roles. Recently he has taken more control over his commercial film roles working as a director and screenwriter on the popular Parliament Jokes, One Shot and Leader. Bandu Samarasinghe and Tennyson Cooray are frequent co-stars of Ramanayake. has sung in several films including Jaya Kothenada, Naralowa Holman, Love in Bangkok and others. His song 'Ran Samanala Joduwa Wage' was a hit among other songs.

Politics

In 2008, Ramanayake contested for the Chief Minister seat in Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council[5] and became the Opposition Leader in Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. In 2010 he was elected to the Parliament from Ratnapura District from United National Party and now works as a major opposition activist against the current government of Sri Lanka.

Controversy

Arrest

A school teacher from Kandy accused Ramanayaka of having swindled Rs.1 million promising to marry her. Based on a complaint by the woman who accused, Criminal Investigation Department arrested Ramanayake on 2010.[6] After a few days stay at the Bogambara prison, Ramanayake was released on bail, and immediately headed to the courts. Finally, investigations conducted by the police have revealed that the woman concerned was a decoy used by certain powerful politicians in an attempt to tarnish the UNP MP’s image.[7]

Alleged threat to talk show host

On 2010, it was alleged that Ramanayake threatened the talk show host Dilka Samanmali of Derana TV following the Derana 360 talk show.[8] Ramanayake has allegedly called Ms. Samanmali’s parents over the phone and accused her of causing disrepute to him over the programme. He had also allegedly told the parents that harm may befall their daughter. Later Ramanayake denied the allegation stating that all that he gave Dilka’s father was a courtesy call. Ramanayake said that he did give a call to Dilka Samanmali’s father living in Australia and complained that his daughter was being biased in her show[9]

Awards

Ramanayake has won Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award 4 times.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Online edition of Daily News - Features". Dailynews.lk. 2004-12-22. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  2. ↑ "The Parliament of Sri Lanka - Directory of Members". Parliament.lk. 1963-03-11. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  3. ↑ ":: Daily Mirror - Opinion ::". Archives.dailymirror.lk. 2005-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  4. ↑ ":: Daily Mirror - Opinion ::". Archives.dailymirror.lk. 2005-05-16. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  5. ↑ "The Sunday Leader Online". Thesundayleader.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  6. ↑ "Sri Lanka Security News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  7. ↑ "Ranjan Ramanayake villain no more; safe to cast as hero once again". Lakbimanews.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  8. ↑ "VIDEO:Ranjan threatens Dilka over Derana 360 programme". Adaderana.lk. 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
  9. ↑ "News". Nation.lk. Retrieved 2012-08-30. 
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