Jeewan Kumaranatunga (born 7 November 1958: ), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television, who later became a politician, a former member of the parliament and a former cabinet minister. He is a close relative of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the nephew of actor and politician Vijaya Kumaratunga.

Family He was born on 7 November 1958 in Seeduwa. His father Sydney Kumaranatunga was also a film actor who acted in Ran Onchilla. Sydney's brother, Vijaya was a renowned actor and politician. Jeewan completed his education from Carey College, Colombo. His grandfather Benjamin Ralahami also acted in several plays during the Towerhall era.

Jeewan is married to his longtime partner Sherin and they have two daughters - Malsha and Maleesha and one son, Harshamana.

Kumaranatunga's daughter, Malsha, successfully contested the Colombo district seat on the Western Provincial Council in 2014.Newsfirst takes a closer look at how stars shone at the elections

Cinema career Jeevan first acted in school plays while studying at Carey College, Colombo. After joining the scouting troupe, Bermin Laili Fernando encouraged him to act on the school stage. He later made many school plays and performed in bonfire scenes. His play won first place in Sri Lanka's youth talent jamboree as well. Even after leaving school, he established the Sarasavi art circle and performed plays in the village.

Jeevan first came to acting as a stage actor. He performed about two plays a year on the Polkota Udahadana stage of the University Art Institute established in his village in Seeduwa. After that, he came to get a chance to act for Sudharshi Theatre where he got the opportunity to act in stage dramas like Devlowa Yanakam, Nāyakayā, Juliyā, and Katharagama Rūmathiya. It was during this time that he got an invitation from Ratnaweera de Silva to join the lead role in the film Thani Tharuva. But its producers protested as the shooting approached to cast me in the lead role. At that time, Sanath Gunathilaka who had acted in about five films, was cast as the main character and Jeevan was cast as the villain. There he got to play the role of a "school student".

One of Sri Lanka's best commercially successful film artists, Kumaranatunga started his cinema career alongside his uncle, Vijaya. His maiden cinema acting came through Thani Tharuwa, even though it was released in 1982. His first screened film was Ganga Addara, where he acted in a minor role as Liyana Mahaththaya. He acted in more than 90 films across many genres over the last two decades. He started the cinema through the villainous characters, acted as the main villain in many films such Jaya Sikuruyi, Obaṭa Divurā Kiyannam, Nævatha Hamuvemu, Suraduthiyō, Rūmathiyayi Neethiyayi, and Prārthanā.

He started a very successful journey through his own production, Hitha Honda Chandiya, setting huge records in the cinema. Næva Gilūnath Bǣn Chūn, Mamayi Rajā, Nommara 17, Okkoma Rajavaru, Hitha Honda Sellam, Rajadaruvō, and Come ō Gō Chicāgō reached the pinnacle of acting. His first romantic heroic role came through 1984 film Hitha Honda Kollek directed by Roy de Silva. After that he continued to receive many heroic protagonist roles. During this period, he usually acted with Anoja Weerasinghe, which made them a cinema couple for many years. Some of the most popular Jeewan-Anoja couple films include Mamai Raja, Obata Rahasak Kiyannam, Newatha Api Ekwemu, Randenigala Sinhaya, Yukthiyata Wada, Veera Udara and Esala Sanda. In 1990, he won the Sarasaviya award for the Most Popular Actor.

He acted in about ten television serials, such as Rana Kahawanu, Sudu Paraviyo, Hingana Kolla and Amarapuraya. He produced seven films as a film producer, such as Randeṇigala Sinhayā, Aesala Sanda, Mama Obē Hithavathā, Kadirā, Mē Vaārē Magē, Koṭisanā and Wali Sulanga. But later on, as he got busy with politics, film production got away from him. Ninety percent of the commercial films in which he has acted are very successful as a large number of the films crossed the hundred day mark. He also got to contribute to several dramatic films such as Keḷi Maḍala, Thunveni Aehæ, and Sathyādēvi. He even won the Sarasaviya award for the best supporting actor for the role in the film Kelimandala and also received merit awards.

Politics In 1991, he went to the Southern Provincial Council election and fulfilled a great responsibility. Then in the 1993 provincial council election, he contested from the Colombo district and won first place. Later he contested the 1994 general election and ranked third in the Colombo district. After that, he got to work in various ministerial positions in the parliament for 23 years. During that time, he ran for five elections and won every time.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref 1980 Ganga Addara Liyana Mahaththaya 1981 Hondama Naluwa 1981 Saranga 1982 Bicycle Voice Dubber, Ajith (voice - pool scene) 1982 Thani Tharuwa Ranil 1982 Nawatha Hamuwemu Jagath 1983 Rathu Makara Jayantha 1984 Hitha Honda Kollek 1984 Jaya Sikurayi 1985 Puthuni Mata Samawenna 1985 Doringe Sayanaya 1985 Obata Diwura Kiyannam 1985 Du Daruwo 1985 Sura Duthiyo 1986 Prarthana 1986 Asipatha Mamai Akalanka 1986 Peralikarayo Sunny 1986 Jaya Apitai Disable prisoner 1986 Sinha Pataw Jeevan 1987 Hitha Honda Chandiya Jinadasa, (also as producer of film) 1987 Ahinsa Raj Ranathilaka 1988 Rasa Rahasak 1988 Gedera Budun Amma Inspector Romesh 1988 Nawa Gilunath Ban Chun Suresh Gunathilake 1988 Nawatha Api Ekwemu Sanjaya/Vishwa 1988 Mamai Raja Ruwan Ranatunga 1989 Okkoma Rajawaru 1989 Obata Rahasak Kiyannam 1989 Nommara 17 Inspector Mahesh 1989 Sinasenna Ratharan Shakthi 1989 Waradata Danduwama 1989 Randenigala Sinhaya Raju, (also as producer of film) 1990 Thanha Asha Suresh 1990 Yukthiyata Wada Krishan Wasantha 1990 Weera Udara 1990 Saharave Sihinaya 1990 Pem Raja Dahana Corporal Malan 1990 Madu Sihina Raja aka Raju 1990 Chandi Raja Michael 1990 Honda Honda Sellan Inspector Srinath 1990 Hitha Honda Puthek Sena 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya Jagath 1991 Keli Madala Jayendra 1991 Raja Sellan 1991 Esala Sanda Janaka Mahanama / Asoka (as producer) 1991 Ran Hadawatha Anthony 1991 Bambara Kalape Captain Raju 1991 Ma Obe Hithawatha Dharme (as producer) 1992 Ranabime Veeraya 1992 Raja Daruwo Jeevan Kaluperuma 1992 Sakwithi Raja 1992 Me Ware Mage 1992 Rumathiyay Nithiyay Jagath 1992 Oba Mata Vishwasayi Jagath 1992 Suranimala Suranimala 1992 Muwan Palessey Kadira (as producer) 1992 Rajek Wage Puthek 1992 Sayanaye Sihinaya 1993 Wali Sulanga Ashen Ranasinghe, (also as producer of film) 1993 Come O' Go Chicago Wickremasinghe Mudaiyanselage Vijayendra 'Vijay' Karunanayake 1993 Jeevan Malli Jeevan 1993 Thrishule Jeevan 1993 Lassanai Balanna Ajith 1993 Suraweera Chandiyo Raja 1994 Shakthi 1995 Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya Podde ayya 1995 Chandini Pradeep Jayasekara 1996 Sihina Wimane Raja Kumari Inspector Prasad Vijaynayake 1996 Ratharan Malli Kasun 1996 Naralowa Holman Don Jackson 'Jackie' Salgadu 1996 Thunweni Aha 1997 Puthuni Mata Wasana Sampath 1997 Raththaran Minihek 1997 Good Buy Tokyo 1999 Koti Sana Sana 1999 Sathyadevi Wilbert 'Aiyya' 2001 Oba Magema Wewa Kanishka 2002 Sansara Prarthana 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu Sunny 2003 Hitha Honda Pisso Dharme 2004 Randiya Dahara Lieutenant Colonel Viraj Thenuwara 2006 Dedunu Wessa 2006 Supiri Balawatha Hilton 2007 Wada Bari Tarzan Professor Devaka 2007 Hai Master Saman 2008 Nadigai Police officer Tamil film 2009 Ali Surathal Ravi 2011 Mahindagamanaya King Devanampiyatissa 2014 Siri Daladagamanaya King Guhasiva 2014 Parapura 2015 Maharaja Ajasath King Bimbisara 2016 Puthandiya Dharme 2020 Sheleena 2023 Swara TBD Hamlet Post production TBD Jeewa TBD Abhisheka cameo role TBD Nuhuru Vaeyama cameo role

References

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