Balasuriyage Steven Perera (31 March 1924 – 24 June 1982 as බී. එස්. පෙරේරා) [Sinhala]), popularly known as B. S. Perera, was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and theater as well as a director and singer. One of the earliest pillars and popular comedy artists ever in Sri Lankan film history, Perera had a career spanned about three decades. He holds the record for the highest number of films acted by a Sri Lankan well over 180 films.

Personal life Perera was born on 31 March 1924 in Colombo. His father was Balasuriyage Adwin Perera. He was a talented artist in the Tower Hall era. He received his primary education at Maligakanda Government School, Colombo (currently known as Mahinda Maha Vidyalaya, Maligakanda) and later studied at Sangaraja Vidyalaya, Maradana (currently known as Sri Sangaraja Central College, Colombo 10). In 1939, Perera joined the Army and joined the Colombo Municipal Council at the end of World War II.

Before entering cinema, Perera worked as a Tram car driver. Due to an accident he lost part of the vision. Although he underwent eye surgery, he suffered a tear in his eye causing a strabismus condition. After the accident, he served as a trolley bus inspector.

Perera was married to B.A.D. Gnanawathi. The couple had five daughters – elder Sriyani, younger Sriyani, Brinda, Rajathi, Princy – and two sons – Sunil Wesley and Ravindra. Sunil Wesley was a professional commercial artist and singer. Second son Ravindra has acted in few films such as Yakadaya and Duppathage Hithawatha and then retired from the Chilaw Railway Department.

Perera died on 24 June 1982 in Chilaw after a brief illness at the age of 58.

Career From the little age, he had performed in Tower Hall stage dramas. He acted as "Mohottala" in the stage play Sri Wickrama, which was his only Tower Hall acting. During his work as a tram car driver, he produced the stage play Nikan Awa to donate to the Urban Council Funeral Association. Then he produced the plays Samadaththara, Lankapura and Saliya Ashokamala. Strabismus condition made the fortune of becoming a film actor. One of his friends, C.M. Rupasinghe introduced Perera to popular film producer S. Sivanandan. At that time, Sivanandan was the assistant director in film Dheewarayo.

He acted in an English film before enter to Sinhala cinema. His first Sinhala film was Roddy Kella directed by Sirisena Wimalaweera. However, due to the sudden death of Wimalaweera, the film shooting stopped. His first screened film appearance came through 1964 blockbuster film Dheewarayo in a minor role as a singer. The most memorable character played by Perera was as a patient in the film Senasuma Kothanada. His comic roles were extremely popular, some of them include, Chandiya, Thushara, Hari Pudumai, Hondata Hondai, Mahadena Muththa and Ara Soyza. He also acted in the Sri Lankan Tamil film Mamiyar Veedu.

In 1955, he worked as the music director in the film Perakadoru Bena directed by A.B. Raja. In 1974, he directed and produced the film Rodi Gama. In 1974, he was awarded with Deepashika Award for acting most number of Sinhala films. He emerged from the comic strip and acted as a character actor in few films such as Subhani, Bandura Mal, Rana Derana and Ridee Thella.

After his death in 1982, twenty eight films were screened as posthumous releases.

Filmography As actor Year Film Role Ref. 1964 Dheewarayo 1965 Chandiya Rifai Nana 1965 Sathutai Kandului 1965 Sudo Sudu Cow owner 1965 Yata Giya Dawasa 1965 Saaravita Muslim Mudalali 1965 Allapu Gedara Sepalika's father 1965 Satha Panaha Mahaththaya 'Sir' 1965 Landaka Mahima 1966 Segawena Sewanella 1966 Mahadena Muththa Puwak Badilla 1966 Senasuma Kothanada Patient 1966 Maha Ra Hamuwu Sthriya 1966 Athulweema Thahanam 1966 Kapatikama Film director 1966 Oba Dutu Da 1966 Sanda Naga Eddi 1966 Senasili Suwaya Nyanawardana 1966 Layata Laya 1967 Sorungeth Soru 1967 Pipena Kumudu 1967 Sarana 1967 Vasanthi 1967 Okkoma Hari 1967 Hitha Giya Thena 1967 Sura Chauraya 1967 Rena Giraw 1968 Pini Bindu 1968 London Hamu 1968 Bicycle Hora 1968 Amathikama 1968 Ruhunu Kumari 1968 Dehadaka Duka Saldadue 1968 Ataweni Pudumaya 1969 Oba Nathinam 1969 Kohomada Wade 1969 Pickpocket Mr. Sinclair 1969 Preweshamwanna Kokiyo 'Bandaa Aiyya' 1969 Pancha 1970 Athma Pooja 1970 Thevatha 1970 Penawa Neda 1970 Ohoma Hondada 1971 Kathuru Muwath Chasing constable 1971 Seeye Nottuwa 1972 Sujeewa 1972 Singapore Charlie 1972 Ada Mehemai Sira's cousin 1972 Lokuma Hinawa Patient 1972 Ihatha Athmaya Master 1973 Suhada Pethuma 1973 Aparadhaya Ha Danduwama 1973 Thushara Wilson 1973 Gopalu Handa 1973 Sinawai Inawai 1973 Sunethra Job Seeker 1973 Dahakin Ekek Professor 1973 Hondata Hondai Medal carrier 1974 Duleeka 1974 Dinum Kanuwa 1974 Surekha 1974 Onna Babo Billo Enawa Gonsali 1974 Susee Wedding singer 1974 Sagarika 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Remy 1974 Wasthuwa 1974 Jeewana Ganga 1974 Rodi Gama Purohitha Mahesh 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Sunny 1975 Obai Mamai Cook Simon 1975 Kaliyuga Kale 1975 Raththaran Amma Potas 1975 Sukiri Kella Sunimal 1975 Cyril Malli 1975 Amaraneeya Adare 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Suraya Surayamai Landlord 1975 Jeewana Geethaya 1975 Lassana Dawasak Kurulosuwa 1975 Sadhana 1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa 1976 Nayana 1976 Kawuda Raja Paddikkama 1976 Wasana Dobie 'Sima' 1976 Vanarayo 1976 Asha 1976 Onna Mame Kella Panapi 1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Sergeant 1976 Adarei Man Adarei 1976 Ran Thilaka 1977 Sakunthala 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase 1977 Sudu Paraviyo Ango wooer 1977 Sri Madara 1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai 1977 Chin Chin Nona 1977 Yali Ipade 1977 Sajaa 1977 Chandi Putha 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa 1977 Wanagatha Kella 1978 Sithaka Suwanda 1978 Chandi Shyama 1978 Mage Ran Putha 1978 Madhuwanthi Thompson 1978 Siripathula 1978 Saara 1978 Kundalakeshi Sathruka's man 1978 Tikira Mahathaya 1978 Janaka Saha Manju 1978 Sally 1978 Apsara 1978 Deepanjali 1978 Veera Puran Appu 1978 Sandawata Rantharu 1979 Samanmali 1979 Jeewana Kandulu 1979 Amal Biso 1979 Raja Kollo Pala's employee 1979 Ran Kurullo 1979 Anusha Siripala 1979 Akke Mata Awasara Servant 1979 Sugandhi Vadivel 1979 Sawudan Jema 1979 Subhani 1979 Hingana Kolla 1979 Nuwan Renu Hindu procession leader 1979 Hari Pudumai Bokudiras 1980 Silva 1980 Anuhasa 1980 Seetha 1980 Adara Rathne Principal 1980 Doctor Susantha 1980 Raja Dawasak 1980 Mage Amma 1980 Sabeetha Martin 1980 Api Dedena 1981 Sathkulu Pawwa Perera 'C. C.' 1981 Sudda Mas Thambi 1981 Kolamkarayo 1981 Senasuma 1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Head Kanakara 1981 Ridee Thella Kattadiya 1981 Bandura Mal 1981 Geethika 1981 Dayabara Nilu Pappa 1981 Hondama Naluwa 1981 Jeewanthi 1982 Bicycley Nicholas 1982 Sudu Ayya Surabiel 1982 Pethi Gomara Jokino's brother-in-law 1982 Eka Diga Kathawak 1982 Rahasak Nathi Rahasak 1982 Sitharaa 1982 Thakkita Tharikita 1982 Chathu Madhura Piyadasa 1982 Kadawunu Poronduwa remake Mudalali 1983 Ran Mini Muthu 1983 Sumithuro Master 1983 Karate Joe 1983 Loku Thaththa 1983 Mal Madhu 1983 Rathu Makara Sirisena 1983 Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai 1983 Chuttey Jamis 1983 Chandi Siriya 1984 Kekille Rajjuruwo Polbe Muna 1984 Ara Soyza Kiridena 'Uncle' 1984 Kiri Kawadi Jussey 1984 Mala Giravi 1984 Welle Thanu Maliga 1984 Bambara Patikki 1984 Kokila 1984 Hithawathiya Guard 1984 Namal Renu 1984 Rana Derana 1984 Sahodariyakage Kathawa 1984 Ranmalige Wasanawa 1984 Muthu Manike 1984 Birinda 1985 Puthuni Mata Samawenna 1985 Adarayaka Mahima Kamal 1985 Chalitha Rangali 1986 Mal Warusa Premapala 1986 Gimhane Gee Naade Villager

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