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Ranjan Ramanayake | |
|---|---|
රන්ජන් රාමනායක ரஞ்சன் ராமநாயக்க | |
| Member of Parliament forGampaha District | |
| In office 1 September 2015 – 7 April 2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Ajith Mannapperuma |
| Majority | 103,992 Preferential Votes |
| Member of Parliament forRatnapura District | |
| In office 22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015 | |
| Majority | 59,318 Preferential Votes |
| State Minister of Highways and Road Development | |
| In office 21 December 2018 – 21 November 2019 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Minister | Kabir Hashim |
| Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare | |
| In office 4 September 2015 – 26 October 2018 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Minister | S. B. Dissanayake |
| Deputy Minister ofSocial Services & Live Stock | |
| In office 21 January 2015 – 17 August 2015 | |
| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Minister | P. Harrison |
| Leader of the opposition of theSabaragamuwa Provincial Council | |
| In office 23 August 2008 – 22 April 2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso (1963-03-11)11 March 1963 (age 62) |
| Political party | United Democratic Voice(since 2024) |
| Other political affiliations | Samagi Jana Balawegaya(2020–2024) United National Party(before 2020) |
| Relations | |
| Residence(s) | No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. |
| Alma mater | Maris Stella College |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Actor |
Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso (born 11 March 1963) (රන්ජන් රාමනායක), popularly known asSuper StarRanjan Ramanayake, is a Sri Lankan actor, film director, singer, script writer and retired politician[1] who appeared in a number ofSinhala language films. He is a former Member of theParliament.
He served as the State Minister of Highways and Road Development from 2018 to 2019. He served as the Deputy Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development Under Good Governance in 2015 and Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare from 2015 to 2018. Ramanayake won theSarasaviya Best Actor Award in 2006 and won theSarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award four times. He has appeared in over 75 Sinhalese films in genres ranging from romance to action and comedies, starting his career appearing in theatre, stage and several television series.
Ranjan was born on 11th March 1963 inNegombo,Sri Lanka. He is the youngest in the family of two children, son of Simon Alfonso, District Inspector at Sri Lanka Railways Department. He added 'Ramanayake' to his name as a reciprocation to filmmaker Somaratne Ramanayake, who helped him in establishing his film career as a lead actor.[2]
In August 2019, he appeared in GCE A/L exam again after 1982 to pursue his later career as lawyer.[3] On 27 December 2019, he went viral in the social media as he publicised his A/L results (2S & 1F).[4][5] Subsequently, he also qualified to study law after obtaining A pass for General English, S passes for Political Science and Communication media studies despite failing in Christianity subject.[6]
Ramanayake's first leading role was in the commercial filmJaya Kothenada but his first film wasChristhu Charithaya by Dr.Sunil Ariyaratne, which was in a crowded scene and maintained his status as a commercial film star through the 1990s. Ramanayake has occasionally branched out into more serious roles such as inLester James Peries'Awaragira but continues to be known for his commercial roles. In 1998, he won the Sarasaviya Award for the Best Upcoming Actor for the filmHima Gira.[7] He continued to be the Popular Actor in Sarasaviya Festival since 2002 to 2016, with a record 14 times.
Recently, he has taken more control over his commercial film roles working as a director and screenwriter on the popularParliament Jokes,One Shot andLeader, breaking box office records[7] with these films and becoming one of the most successful[peacock prose] leading actors and directors of Sinhala cinema.Bandu Samarasinghe andTennyson Cooray are frequent co-stars of Ramanayake.[7]
He has sung in several films includingJaya Kothenada,Naralowa Holman,Love in Bangkok and others. His song "Ran Samanala Joduwa Wage" was a well-received among other songs.[8]
Ramanayake has acted in a few television serials.[7]
Ramanayake was initially the electoral organiser ofKatana in theGampaha Electoral District before becoming the electoral organiser inBalangoda. In 2008, Ramanayake contested for the position of Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council[16] and became leader of the opposition of the council.
In 2010, he was elected to the district parliament inRatnapura from theUnited National party (UNP) and was one of the most outspoken members of the parliament, working as a major opposition activist against the then-incumbentUnited People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government.Ramanayake was later appointed as the UNP organiser ofDivulapitiya inGampaha. Ramanayake received highest number of preferential votes for the UNP in the Gampaha district during the2015 parliamentary elections, receiving a total of 216,463 votes.[citation needed] He was reelected in2020. However, he lost his seat in 2021 when he was sentenced to 6 years in prison for contempt of court.
A school teacher fromKandy accused Ramanayake of having swindled Rs. 1 million promising to marry her. Based on a complaint by the woman who accused, theCriminal Investigation Department arrested Ramanayake in 2010.[17] On 4 January 2020, he was arrested for possession of a license-expired firearm and several adult content DVDs.[18] He was released on bail on 5 January 2020 following the verdict from Magistrate court but was also banned from travelling overseas.[19]
In 2010, it was alleged that Ramanayake verbally threatenedDerana TV talk show host Dilka Samanmali over a segment of the Derana 360 talk show.[20] Ramanayake allegedly called Samanmali's parents over the phone and accused her of causing disrepute to him during the programm. He had also allegedly warned the parents that harm may befall their daughter. Ramanayake denied the allegation, stating that he simply gave Dilka's father was a courtesy call. Ramanayake confirmed that he did call Dilka Samanmali's father and complained that his daughter held biased viewpoints which she expressed during her show.[21]
Ramanayake's telephone conversations with former CID directorShani Abeysekara and other high-profile figures including judges were leaked in the media after the police took custody of them.[22] Several other telephone conversations were leaked by the police to the public as well and the recordings suggested that Ramanayake used the law in unlawful manner to benefit his government.[23]
On 12 January 2021, Ramanayake was sentenced to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment on the basis ofcontempt of court regarding his comments on the corruption of the judiciary.[24] As a result, Ramanayake lost his seat in parliament on 7 April 2021.[25] On 26 August 2022, Ramanayake was granted a conditionalpresidential pardon by PresidentRanil Wickremesinghe.[26][27]
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Obatai Priye Adare | Sarath 'Malli' | |
| 1988 | Ko Hathuro | Dancer | |
| 1988 | Durga | Thug | |
| 1990 | Jaya Kothanada | ||
| 1990 | Chandi Raja | Trade Union leader Ranjan | |
| 1990 | Hima Gira | ||
| 1990 | Dese Mal Pipila | ||
| 1990 | Veera Udara | ||
| 1990 | Jaya Kothanada | ||
| 1990 | Christhu Charithaya | [28] | |
| 1991 | Love In Bangkok | Jackson | |
| 1991 | Ran Hadawatha | ||
| 1991 | Mama Obe Hithawatha | ||
| 1991 | Love in Bangkok | ||
| 1992 | Rajek Wage Puthek | ||
| 1992 | Salli Thibunata Madi | ||
| 1992 | Sakvithi Raja | ||
| 1992 | Chandi Rajina | ||
| 1992 | Sinhayangeth Sinhaya | Sanjaya | |
| 1993 | Mawila Penevi Rupe Hade | John Jayapala | |
| 1993 | Come O' Go Chicago | Wickremasinghe Mudiyanselage Ranjan Karunanayake | |
| 1993 | Trishule | Ranjan | |
| 1993 | Sandarekha | Ranjan | |
| 1993 | Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na | ||
| 1993 | Juriya Mamai | David / Inspector Vijay | |
| 1993 | Sura Veera Chadiyo | Ranjan | |
| 1994 | Rajawansen Ekek | Vijay / Sugath | |
| 1994 | Nohadan Landune | ||
| 1994 | Mawbime Veerayo | ||
| 1994 | Okkoma Hondatai | Kamal Jayasekara | |
| 1994 | Hello My Darling | ||
| 1995 | Wairayen Wairaya | Detective | |
| 1995 | Inspector Geetha | Dancer | |
| 1995 | Awaragira | Priyankara Sathigala | |
| 1996 | Naralowa Holman | Jonson 'Johnny' Salgadu | |
| 1996 | Sathee | ||
| 1996 | Sura Daruwo | ||
| 1996 | Mal Hathai | ||
| 1997 | Surayo Wadakarayo | ||
| 1997 | Apaye Thappara 84000k | ||
| 1997 | Duwata Mawaka Misa | ||
| 1998 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel | Chandi Aiyya | |
| 1998 | Mohothin Mohotha | ||
| 1999 | Ayadimi Sama | Ukku Banda | |
| 1999 | Nagaran | ||
| 1999 | Bahu Bharya | Kapila | [29] |
| 1999 | Sathyadevi | Sathyajit Walisundara 'Sathyapala Wedisinghe' | [30] |
| 2000 | Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 | Chandi Aiyya | [31] |
| 2000 | Danduwama | Suranga | |
| 2001 | Oba Kohida Priye | Priyantha | [32] |
| 2001 | Jonsun and Gonsun | Sanjay Ranasinghe | |
| 2001 | Rosa Wasanthe | Akila Sannasgala | [33] |
| 2002 | Parliament Jokes | Lavaris 'Podi Eka' | |
| 2002 | Pissu Double | Jackie | |
| 2003 | Vala In London | Suranga | |
| 2003 | Sundarai Adare | Murderer | |
| 2003 | Pissu Trible | Gunda | |
| 2003 | Yakada Pihatu | Romesh Jayawardena | |
| 2005 | One Shot One | Vijaya 'One Shot' | |
| 2005 | Alu Yata Gini | ||
| 2006 | Hiripoda Wassa | Cameo appearance | |
| 2006 | Supiri Balawatha | Nishshanka | |
| 2006 | Nilambare | Nirwan | |
| 2009 | Leader | Leader | |
| 2009 | Paya Enna Hiru Se | Suren and Suraj | |
| 2010 | Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe | Cameo appearance | |
| 2011 | Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada Nahi | Kalana | |
| 2012 | Jeevithe Lassanai | Wishwa | |
| 2013 | Sri Siddhartha Gautama | King Suddhodana | |
| 2013 | Raja Horu | Mahesh | |
| 2014 | Rupantharana | Moorthi | |
| 2014 | Ranja | Ranja / Ranjan | |
| 2014 | Parapura | Madhava / Suranimala | |
| 2015 | Pravegaya | Office Manager | |
| 2016 | Sinhaya | Weerasinghe 'Satyamithra' | |
| 2016 | Maya 3D | Maya | |
| 2016 | Hero Nero | Cameo appearance | |
| 2017 | Dr. Nawariyan | Nirwan 'Nawariyan' Senanayake | [34] |
| 2018 | Yalu Malu Yalu 2 | Cheruka Weerakoon | |
| 2022 | The Game | Vijay | [35] |
| TBD | Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo | Ven. Kondadeniye Thero | [36] |
| TBA | Parasakthi† | [37] | |
| TBA | O.I.C Gaddafi† | [38] |
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Parliament Jokes |
| 2005 | One Shot |
| 2009 | Leader |
| 2019 | Dr. Nawariyan |
| TBD | O.I.C Gaddafi |
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| Wins | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
Note
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Ramanayake has won theSarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award 4 times.
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