Jayalath Manoratne

Kala Suri Kala Keerthi Dr. Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne (Sinhala: කෙසෙල්ගස්පේ මනතුංග ජයලත් මනෝරත්න; 12 June 1948 – 12 January 2020), popularly known as Jayalath Manoratne, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.^[1] He was a lecturer by profession as well as a director and producer. A highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Manoratne won awards at OCIC (International Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisual), Presidential, Sarasaviya, Raigam Tele'es, Sumathi and the State Literary and Drama festivals. He was the best actor back to back in 1991 and 1992 for his performance in Socrates and Dvitva.^[2] He is considered by critics as one of the five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage.^[3]

Jayalath Manoratne
ජයලත් මනෝරත්න
Born	Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne (1948-06-12)12 June 1948 Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Died	12 January 2020(2020-01-12) (aged 71) Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Poramadulla Central College
Alma mater	University of Peradeniya University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Occupation(s)	Dramatist, Actor, Singer
Years active	1970–2019
Spouse	Tamara Jayanthi (m. 1979)
Children	2
Parents	Manatunga Perera (father) Leela Kumari (mother)
Awards	Best Actor Best Supporting Actor Best Comedy Actor
Website	http://jayalathmanorathna.org/

He died on 12 January 2020 while receiving treatment for cancer at the age of 71.^[4]

Personal life

Manoratne was born on 12 June 1948 in Dehipe, Nuwara Eliya as the youngest son in the family of six children. His father Keselgaspe Manatunga Perera was a lorry driver and mother Agalakotuwa Herath Mudiyanselage Leela Kumari was a housewife. He undertook his education at the Dehipe Primary School and Poramadulla Central College. Jayalath has three brothers, Manatunga Seneviratne, Manatunga Wijeratne and Manatunga Ariyaratne and two sisters, Indra Kumari and Mallika Kumari.^[5]

At an early age, his music teacher, Sunil Sriyananda, recognised his abilities and encouraged him to take up acting and singing.^[6] During his school times, he engaged in several educational as well as extra curricular activities such as Secretary of Sinhala Literary Association (1965), President of the Theater Council (1966), President of the Sinhala Association (1967–68) and Committee member of the Drama Board and Gandharva congregation (1969). Manoratne was the Student Leader at Boys' Hostel in 1965–66. In 1966, he became the Senior Most Valuable Player in College Inter-Athletic Championship.^[5]

After completing his secondary education with Geography, Sinhala and Buddhist Civilization for G.C.E A/L, he attended the University of Peradeniya, where he continued to study drama under the guidance of Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra. Manoratne completed his master's degree from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, also obtaining a PhD. He was the only postgraduate to obtain a First Class Degree in 1995. In 2013, he accepted an honorary Doctorate (D. Litt) from University of Peradeniya.^[6] In 1981, he completed an external diploma in Rural Development from University of Colombo.^[5]

He was married to Tamara Jayanthi since 1979 to his death. The couple has one daughter, Uthpala Indeewari and one son, Bhanuka Prabuddha.^[7] Uthpala is married to Shivanka Perera and Bhanuka is married to Hiranya Dulashini Gamaariya.^[5]

Stage drama career

In 1966 Manoratne started acting when he was a school student, making his acting debut in the stage drama Aspha Gudung, which was selected for the finals of the annual provincial inter-school drama competition and won the Certificate of Excellence in Performance at the All Island Inter-School Drama Competition.^[6]

Originally playing minor roles in plays as Maname, Sinhabahu under Sarachchandra's guidance, Manoratne embarked on a mainstream acting career, beginning with the operatic play Premato Jayati Soko with the role "Uddala Bamuna". Whilst performing in this play he met his future wife, Tamara Jayanthi. Manoratne went to Nuwara Eliya Kachcheri to get a job and at that time, he produced remakes of Sarachchandra's plays Raththaran and Elowa Gihin Melowa Awa. He has acted under all the five major stage drama directors in Sri Lankan history - Sarachchandra, Sugathapala de Silva, Dayananda Gunawardena, Gunasena Galappatty and Henry Jayasena.^[8]

In 1980, he produced his maiden theater play Mahagiri Damba. His only translation drama play came through Puthra Samagama produced in 1985. It is the adaptation of Russian play The Elder Son by Alexander Vampilov. In 1988, he produced the popular play Thalamala Pipila and then Andarela in 1993. The play Andarela also brings Manoratne's first documentary role. In 1996 he produced Guru Tharuwa and then Sanda Gira in 1998. He continuously produced plays of many genres in following years including Kaneru Mal (2000), Lokaya Thani Yayak (2005), Makara remake (2007), Sudu Redi Horu (2008), Buruwa Mahaththaya (2012), Sellam Nirindu (2013) and Handa Nihanda (2016). During the 26 consecutive years from 1980 to 2016, he made nearly 15 plays.^[8][6]

From that time on Manoratne acted in over 80 plays,^[9] and directed eleven plays of his own.^[6] His play Andarela won the State Literary Award in 1995 and then Guru Tharuwa won State Literary Award in 1996.^[5]

In 2014, Manoratne performed in a theater festival named Dawas Pahalos Daha (fifteen thousand days), which showcased a collection of eight plays representing different periods and issues and produced by Manoratne himself. These eight stage plays were Lokaya Thani Yayak, Sellam Nirindu, Thalamala Pipila, Buruwa Mahaththaya, Guru Tharuwa, Andarela and Puthra Samagama.^[10]

Notable stage dramas

• Ahas Maliga
• Andarela^[11]
• Andirale Nadagama
• Angara Ganga Gala Basi
• Ape Panthi Kamaraya
• Api Gewanne Na
• Asaatha Manthare
• Aspha Gudung
• Buruwa Mahaththaya
• Chitrage Prema Kathawa
• Debiddo
• Diwes Helanu Mena
• Don Juan
• Dunna Dunu Gamuve
• Dvitva
• Elowa Gihin Melowa Awa
• Gajaman Puwatha^[12]
• Guru Tharuwa
• Handa Nihanda^[13]
• Hiru Nathi Lowa
• Horu Samaga Heluwen^[14]
• Jasaya Saha Lenchina
• Kaneru Mal
• Lokaya Thani Yayak
• Lucinde
• Maala Walalu
• Maa Wani Bilinda
• Madhura Javanika
• Madhura Pura
• Magul Prastava
• Maha Giri Damba
• Mahe Hene Kathawa
• Maha Hene Riri Yaka
• Mahasara
• Makara
• Maname
• Mayadevi
• Megha
• Modara Mola
• Naaga Gurula
• Nari Bena
• Nariya Saha Keju
• Nelum Pokuna
• Oththukaraya
• Pematho Jayathi Soko
• Perahera Enawo
• Pokuru Wassa
• Puthra Samagama
• Raassa Saha Paraassa
• Raththaran remake
• Ratu Hattakari
• Rhinoceros
• Sahathika Nokala Maranayak
• Sanda Gira
• Sapiriwara Mathin
• Satha Saha Satha
• Sathuru Mithuru
• Sellam Nirindu
• Serade Seetha
• Sihina Sappuwa
• Sinhabahu
• Siri Sangabo
• Socrates^[15]
• Subhasadhaka
• Subha Saha Yasa
• Suddek Oba Amathai^[16]
• Sudu Redi Horu^[17]
• Tharavo Igilethi
• Thawath Udesanak
• Thala Mala Pipila
• Ukdandu Ginna
• Wasudeva
• Wessanthara
• Yathra

Television

Manoratne started his television career with the drama Aebeddiya of Parakrama Niriella. Then he showcased his ability through many serials such as Doo Daruwo, Sindui Bindui, Gamperaliya. His role as "Punsiri" in Doo Daruwo became highly popularized. He became popular in comedy roles in Bodima and then in Ramya Suramya. In 2005, Manoratne played triple roles for the first time in Sri Lankan teledrama history in a miniplay directed and scripted by himself, titled Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana.^[18] In 2006, he directed the serial Mage Kaviya Mata Denna.^[19]

Apart from acting, Manoratne also directed many television serials such as Sekku Gedara, Ransirige Sangramaya, Mage Kaviya Mata Denna, Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana, Eeye Ada Saha Heta and Thaththe Api Awa. He also directed single episode miniplays such as Bappage Paminima, Aege Awurudda, Raja Thun Kattuwa, Nidahasa, Seettuwa, Denna Demallo, Sathuru Mithuru, Duppathunda Adaraya Karathi, Santhapaya and Buddha Puthra.^[5]

Selected television serials

• Abeddiya
• Arungal^[20]
• Bodima
• Bumuthurunu
• Deiyo Sakki
• Deweni Yuddhaya^[21]
• Deweni Gamana ^[22]
• Doo Daruwo
• Doratu Rakinno^[23]
• Dumriya Andaraya^[24]
• Eeye Ada Saha Heta'
• Gal Pilimaya Saha Bol Pilimaya
• Gajaman Nona^[25]
• Gamperaliya
• Ganga Saha Nissanka
• Hath Pana
• Hiru Sandu Hamuwe
• Hiruta Muwawen
• Irata Handana Mal 2
• Jeewithaya Dakinna^[26]
• Kande Gedara
• Madol Doowa
• Mage Kaviya Mata Denna
• Manik Nadiya Gala Basi
• Man Nathida
• Minissu^[27]
• Moragiri Kanda
• Nomerena Minissu
• Nopipena Mal
• Passe Gena Manamali (1989)^[28]
• Pateelage Kathawa^[29]
• Pawara Menuwara^[30]
• Punchi Patau
• Ramya Suramya^[31]
• Ranketi Doni
• Roda Hatara Manamalaya^[32]
• Sabanda Eliyas
• Sakisanda Eliyas
• Samanali
• Sanda Amawakai^[33]
• Sandara Vandana
• Sasara Sanda
• Saradiel
• Sedona^[34][35]
• Senehasata Amanthranayak
• Sindui Bindui
• Sooriya Kusuma
• Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana
• Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel^[36]
• Veeduru Mal^[37]
• Vinivindimi^[38]
• Visithunweni Horawa
• Walakulu^[39]
• Wanabime Sirakaruwo^[40]
• Warna^[41]
• Wetath Niyarath
• Weten Eha^[42]

Radio Play

• Tharuwan Saranai ^[43]
• Bashmanthara^[44][45]

Author works

• Dolos Mahe Pahana
• Dawasa Thawamath Tharunai
• Minihata Ninda Yanda Ati
• Piyadasa saha Kumariya
• Sindu Bindu
• Sinhala Naatye Prasangika Kalathmaka Wardhanaya
• Wahi Enathuru

Illness and death

Manoratne suffered from a brain cancer for sometime. On 13 November 2018, he was admitted to a private hospital, Colombo at 2.00 p.m and underwent a surgery for a brain tumor.^[46] After the surgery he continued to work in dramas for a brief period, when the illness got worse. He continued to take medical treatment from Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama since mid 2019. On 12 January 2020, he died while receiving treatment at the hospital. Funeral took place on 15 January 2020 and cremated at Boralesgamuwa.^[47]

Filmography

Manoratne started his cinema career with a minor role in Thilaka and Thilaka in 1979. Then he entered professional cinema acting through the 1979 film Handaya which was directed by Titus Thotawatte.^[48] Since then, he has acted in more than 30 films across many genres of drama, romance, thriller and comedy. He was a recipient of Kalasuri^[49] and Kala Keerthi due to his enormous contribution to the drama career. Some of his notable films include Sooriya Arana, Ho Gaana Pokuna, Bherunda Pakshiya and Walapatala, where he was awarded for best actor and best supporting actor in many ceremonies. His final film act came through Theja Iddamalgoda's debut film Ashavari.^[50][51]

Year	Film	Role	Ref
1976	Thilake Ha Thilaka	Thilake's supporter
1979	Handaya	Race commentator
1980	Siribo Ayya	Malhami
1981	Saranga
1982	Jeewithayen Jeewithayak
1983	Muhudu Lihini
1986	Prarthana
1986	Athuru Mithuru
1987	Mangala Thegga	Srilal
1987	Hitha Honda Chandiya
1990	Hima Gira
1991	Sthree
1992	Sisila Gini Gani	Medawatta
1992	Umayangana	Henry
1993	Saptha Kanya	Jagath	^[52]
1996	Thunweni Aehe
1999	Rathu Aluyama		^[53]
2002	Punchi Suranganavi	English teacher
2003	Sudu Kaluwara	Podi Nilame Appuhami
2004	Premawanthayo
2004	Sooriya Arana	Chief Monk
2004	Gini Kirilli		^[54]
2005	Sudu Kalu Saha Alu	Koragramaya
2005	Samanala Thatu	Hospital keeper
2006	Bherunda Pakshiya
2006	Hiripoda Wassa	Sithum's father	^[55]
2008	Siri Raja Siri	Drama teacher
2008	Walapatala	Victor Jayasundara
2009	Bindu	Kolamba Haadaya
2010	Bambara Walalla	Podi Eka's uncle
2012	Daruwane	Vajirasena
2015	Pravegaya	Saranapala, Hemal's father
2015	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Bus driver Justin
2016	Zoom	Scientist
2017	Dedunu Akase	Vihangi's father
2017	A Level	Uncle
2018	Vaishnavee	Father
2018	Goal	Mr. Samarasekara
2019	Thaala	Principal, Mr.Hewanayake
2020	Miss Jenis	Liyon aka 'Jenis'	^[56]
TBD	Ashawari		^[57]
TBD	Ice Cream		^[58]
TBD	Suvisi Vivarana		^[59]
TBD	Deweni Yuddhaya		^[60]
TBD	Kathuru Mithuru	Samson 'Taylor'	^[61]
TBD	Vedi Nowadina Lamai		^[62]

Awards and accolades

He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals, both for acting and direction.

• State Literary Awards – for his two books Andarela and Guru Tharuwa^[2]
• Manoratne's script Thalamala Pipila is prescribed for G.C.E O/L syllabus.^[2]

State Literary Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1974	Rathu Hattakari	Best Actor	Won
1985	Puthra Samagama	Best Actor	Won
1988	Thalamala Pipila	Best Actor	Won
1988	Thalamala Pipila	Best Director	Won
1988	Thalamala Pipila	Best Script	Won
1990	Socrates	Best Actor	Won
1991	Dvitva	Best Actor	Won
1993	Andarela	Best Script	Won
1995	Andarela	Best Play	Won
1996	Guru Tharuwa	Best Script	Won
1996	Guru Tharuwa	Best Play	Won

Sarasaviya Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1988	Mangala Thegga	Best Supporting Actor	Won
2004	Sudu Kaluwara	Best Supporting Actor	Won
2007	Berunda Pakshiya	Best Supporting Actor	Won
2015	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Best Supporting Actor	Won

Raigam Tele'es

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2009	Arungal	Best Actor	Won
2013	Service to the drama	Prathibha Prabha Award^[63]	Won

Sumathi Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2002	Sanda Amawakai	Best Actor	Won
2004	Ramya Suramya	Best Script	Won

Hiru Golden Film Award

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2016	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Best Comedian^[64]	Won

Derana Film Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2016	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Best Supporting Actor^[65]	Won

SIGNIS Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1988	Mangala Thegga	Best Supporting Actor	Won
2016	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Best Supporting Actor	Won

Presidential Film Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2006	Bherunda Pakshiya	Best Supporting Actor	Won^[66]
2017	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Best Supporting Actor	Won

References

1. "Immortal Manorathna's Infinite Mission". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
2. "Jayalath Manoratne muses on larger-than-life theatre experience". srilankantheatre. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
3. "Five Actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan Stage". Munchee daily. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
4. "Veteran Actor Jayalath Manorathna passes away". Hiru News. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
5. "Biography of Dr. Jayalath Manoratne". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
6. "Back to Pera, where it all began". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
7. "මනෝ-නිවී-යයි "Mano is gone". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
8. "The tragic fate of the traditional artist". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
9. "Dr. Jayalath Manoratne is fifteen thousand days strong". methinksatnation. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
10. "Mano's 15,000 days in theatre". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
11. "'Andarela' celebrates silver jubilee". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
12. "Gajaman Nona comes back to stage again". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
13. "Lives of artistes on stage: 'Handa Nihanda' on July 7". Daily News. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
14. "Prasanna returns to theatre". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
15. "Socrates: Could have been better". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
16. "'Suddek' at Borella". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
17. ""Sudu Redi Horu" - showcases Lanka's rich cultural heritage". The Nation. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
18. "'Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana': Mano in triple role". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
19. "'Mage Kaviya Mata Denna' : Mano's filmic dream". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
20. "Treat yourself to Arungal". Daily News. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
21. "Deweni Yuddhaya on location". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
22. ""Deweni Gamana" of Mangala Thegga". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
23. "'Doratu Rakinno' opens for public". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
24. "'Railway Stories': for a novel journey in teledrama". Sunday Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
25. "The story of Gajaman Nona". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
26. "'Jeewithaya Dakinna' : One Episode miniplays on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
27. "Minissu' on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
28. "Passe Gena Manamali-1989". nalanmendis. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
29. ""Pateelage Kathawa": Problem of schooling". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
30. "'Pawara Menuwara':Woman athlete's story". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
31. "'Ramya Suramya': Two houses full of problems". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
32. "'Roda Hatara Manamalaya' has out-of-ordinary plot". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
33. "'Sanda Amawakai': Prasanna's latest tele venture for 2001". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
34. "Sedona now on DVD". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
35. "'Sedona' : Wasanthi in a dual role". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
36. "Saradiel re-lived". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
37. "'Veeduru Mal': Depicts a topsy-turvy tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
38. "Top short stories on mini screen". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
39. "'Walakulu' make a move on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
40. "'Wanabime Sirakaruwo': A tale of a brave Boer". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
41. "'Warna': A colourful story". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
42. ""Weten Eha", a tale of neighbours". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
43. "Jayalath Manorathna - Radio Play (Tharuwansaranai)". youtube. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
44. "Critics 'tune' in to wrong frequency". dailymirror. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
45. "Jayalath Manorathna - Radio Play (Bashmanthara)". youtube. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
46. "Jayalath Manoratne hospitalised". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
47. "Veteran actor Jayalath Manorathna passes away". srilankamirror. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
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49. "Deshamanya for 14 Lankans". Sundaytimes. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
50. "Mano is fine now". සරසවිය. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
51. "Hemal reunites with her boyfriend 'Ashavari' on the 3rd". සරසවිය. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
52. "Unmada Wu Premadara: Saptha Kanya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
53. "'Rathu Aluyama': last creation of Yasapalitha". Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
54. "Novelist turns director with 'Gini Kirilli'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
55. "Hiri Poda Wessa – හිරි පොද වැස්ස". films.lk. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
56. "Miss Jennis coming soon". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
57. "Ashawari: This is not a love story". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
58. . "Ice Cream" coming soon http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2020/07/02/17907/“අයිස්ක්%E2%80%8Dරීම්”-ළඟදීම. Retrieved 3 July 2020. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
59. "What happened to Suvisi Vivarana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
60. "She is back home – Deweni Yuddhaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
61. "Friendship that cannot be cut with any scissors". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
62. "'Bulletproof Children' competes in China". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
63. . Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
64. "Stars shower at Hiru Awards". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
65. "The Glamour and Splendour at the Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 – Beautiful you". Beautifulu.lk. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
66. "President honours Lankan Cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.

External links

• Jayalath Manoratne at IMDb
• [1]
• මමෝ මුහුණු නවයක
• මනෝට දැන් සුවයි
• රාජ්‍ය නාට්‍ය උළෙලේදී ජයලත් මනෝරත්නයන් නාට්‍ය කීර්ති සම්මානයෙන් පිදුම් ලබයි
• ගුරු තරුව බැසයයි
• ජයලත් මනෝරත්න - රේඩියෝ නාට්‍ය (භෂ්මාන්තර)

Sinhala articles

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