Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara (; born 14 September 1975), popularly known as Damitha Abeyratne, is a Sri Lankan film and teledrama actress.
Career She schooled at Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and St. Paul’s Girls School, Milagiriya. In 1987, she made her acting debut as an eight-year-old in the teledrama Passe Gena Manamali and later appeared in her first film Meeharaka directed by I. Hewawasam in 1993. However, she only played a significant role with Inoka Sathyangani's 2003 film Sulang Kirilli. This won her the Sarasaviya Best Actress Award, SIGNIS Best Actress Award and many other international awards. She was also won awards for the dramatic roles of Dandubasnamanaya television series and Mee Haraka film. Abeyratne played her debut role as director with the teledrama serial Sasara Sarani, where she was the producer as well. She also played the title role in Batti teledrama, which broadcast on ITN.
Arrests and Controversies In 2012, an intimate relationship between Abeyratne and Ven. Ruwanwelle Sobhitha thero was revealed after radio station Neth F.M. Balumgala broadcast several vulgar tapes of the alleged monk, trying to recruit a personal secretary.
In 2013, actress Semini Iddamalgoda sued Abeyratne for Rs 50 million having allegedly defamed her during an interview with a Ran F.M. radio channel. In 2014, Abeyratne demanded Rs. 100 million as damages from Iddamalgoda for allegedly defaming her. The case was taken at the Colombo District Court on 24 February 2014. On 14 October 2014, both withdrew their civil suits.
On 5 November 2015, she was asked to make a statement due to a complaint on fraud and corruption at SriLankan Airlines. She went to Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power and State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and made a statement regarding an irregularity in food supply for a show.
In 2022, Abeyratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for forcibly entering the presidents secretariat and obstructing the duties of the police officers during 2022 Sri Lankan protests.
In February 2024, musician Iraj Weeraratne unraveled a massaging scandal involving Abeyratne and two months later, Abeyratne and her spouse were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department facing charges related to a fraud amounting to Rs 3 million, falsely promising employment opportunities in South Korea.
Filmography
Year Film Role Ref. 1994 Mee Haraka Soma 1999 Mandakini 2003 Sulang Kirilli Rathi 2007 Nisala Gira Poddi 2008 Adara Meena Also as Playback singer. 2009 Ekamath Eka Rateka 2010 Dakina Dakina Mal Mandakini 2010 Sthuthi Nawatha Enna 2010 Bambara Walalla Kumari 2010 Ira Handa Yata LTTE female cadre 2011 Sinhawalokanaya Sirimal Ethana 2011 Gamani Crouched shooter 2013 Samanala Sandhawaniya Punya's roommate 2014 Rupantharana Radha 2015 Maharaja Gemunu Rohini 2015 Pravegaya Brando's wife 2015 Suhada Koka Lady in queue 2016 July 7 Damitha 2016 Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai Roshan's Mother 2016 Maya 3D Shantha's fiancée 2019 Jaya Sri Amathithuma Mrs. Galigamuwa 2020 Seda Mawathe Samanthi 2022 Hithumathe Jeewithe Rasika 2023 Thattu Deke Iskole 2023 Midunu Vishwaya Dr. Mahadewa's wife 2024 Sihinayaki Adare Varuni Fernando 2024 Sri Siddha 2025 Ice Cream 2025 Bahuchithawadiya Kanthi
Notable television works
Awards and accolades She has won several awards at the local theater, television and film festivals. 2005 - Vishva Keerthi Award For Winning Two International Awards for film Sulang kirilli 2005 - Outstanding Young Personality Junior Chamber Sri Lanka for the contribution to the Art
SIGNIS OCIC Awards
|| 1995 ||| Dandubasnamanaya || Best Actress || |- || 2003 ||| Sulang Kirilli || Best Actress || |- || 2010 ||| Dakina Dakina Mal || Best Actress ||
Swarna Sanka Awards
|| 1995 ||| Mee Haraka || Best Supporting Actress ||
Presidential Film Awards
|| 2005 ||| Sulang Kirilli || Best Actress ||
Sarasaviya Awards
|| 1996 ||| Mee Haraka || Merit Award || |- || 2004 ||| Sulang Kirilli || Best Actress || |- || 2015 ||| Pravegaya || Best Supporting Actress ||
Sumathi Awards
|| 2006 ||| Keli Madala || Best Actress Award ||
Dhaka International Film Festival
|| 2004 ||| Sulang Kirilli || Best Actress Award ||
Tamil Nadu International Film Festival
|| 2004 ||| Sulang Kirilli || Best Actress Award ||
Raigam Tele'es
|| 2012 ||| Swayanjatha || Best Actress ||
References
External links Damitha Abeyratne's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database
National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka - Official Website Artistes airs their views in ‘Sundara Sandawe’ Padmasiri: Two different feilds මාව එක එක අයට විවාහ කරලා දුන්නා Wedding of Damitha