Rita Ratnayake
| Rita Ratnayake | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Rita Philomina Ratnayake 1934 Sri Lanka |
| Died | 2006 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Known for | actress |
Rita Philomina Ratnayake (1934–2006) was a Sri Lankan actress who was popular in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. She came to repute in Kele Handa (1953) in the role of Daisy Attanayake.
Ratnayake was first noticed when she ran into film actors B. A. W. Jayamanne, Rukmani Devi and Eddie Jayamanne while on a pilgrimage to Madhu Church in 1948. This encounter led to her casting in Kele Handa. After the success of that film, she played Vineetha in Warada Kageda (1954), Prabhawathi in Ramyalatha (1956) and had leading roles in Radala Piliruwa (1954), Sukumali (1957) and Sithaka Mahima (1964).[1]
Over the next 20 years, Ratnayake had roles in Suneetha, Sepali (1958), Sundara Birinda (1960), Daruwa Kageda (1961), Suhada Sohoyuro (1963), Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe (1964), Sweep Ticket, Sakaya (1965), Ethulweema Thahanam (1966), Amathaka Wunada (1967), Dan Mathakada (1970), Suhada Pethuma (1973), Sheela, Shanthi, Onna Babo Billo Enawa (1974), Awa Soya Adare (1975), Haratha Hathara, Dewiyange Theenduwa (1976), Hithuwoth Hithuwamai, Saja (1977), Mage Ran Putha (1978), Eka Hitha (1979), Dayabara Nilu (1981), Samawenna (1981), Wathura Karaththaya (1982), Rail Para (1982), Bonikka (1983), Shirani, Kokila, Namal Renu (1984) and Wana Rejina (1988).[1]
Ratnayake married W. A. Wilfred Silva in 1961. She later appeared in the television serial Kahala Nadaya and worked for a time with Sri Lanka Hotel Corporation. Ratnayake died on November 6, 2006.[1]