Gamini Fonseka

Infobox actor
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name = Gamini Fonseka


imagesize = 150px
caption = A notable role in Nidhanaya
birthdate =
location = flagicon|Sri Lanka Dehiwala, Sri Lanka
deathdate =
deathplace =
birthname = Gamini Fonseka
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notable role = "Nidhanaya" (1972)
"Gamperaliya" (1964)
"Sandeshaya" (1960 film)
"Yuganthaya" (1983 film)

Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka (1936-2004) was an award winning Sri Lankan film actor and politician.

Early life

Fonseka was born on March 21, 1936 in Dehiwela the third child of William and Daisy Fonseka. Starting school at a Presbyterian institution, Gamini moved on to St. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia. As a youngster, he gained repute for imitating administrative figures at school. Gamini also prospered in the study of the Sinhala language and literature in college and placed in the upper fourth for a Sinhala literature prize. The award for this achievement was presented to him by St. Thomas graduate and Sri Lankan prime minister D. S. Senanayake. Gamini was also an accomplished cricket player.

Film career

Entrance to film and the 1960s

Fonseka abruptly ended his secondary education and dove into the film industry. He originally wanted to be a cameraman and in this line worked on David Lean's "Bridge on the River Kwai" and Lester James Peries' "Rekava" (1956). Fonseka was first on-screen in "Rekava" as part of a crowd. He also did some work on a English television series filmed in Sri Lanka.

Fonseka's first credited acting role was in "Daiwa Yogaya" (1959) in which he played a small role. Lester James Peries "Sandesaya" (1960) first established him in a leading role. With films like "Adata Wediya Heta Hondai", "Ranmuthu Duwa", "Getawarayo" and "Dheevarayo" Fonseka achieved popularity and became a box-office draw.

Seeking to not play just commercial roles, Fonseka appeared as Jinadasa in the groundbreaking "Gamperaliya" (1964) working again with Peries. In Titus Totawatte's "Chandiya", Fonseka played the first anti-hero role in Sri Lankan cinema and in Mike Wilson's "Sorungeth Soru" (1968), he played the role of Jamis Banda, the Sinhala James Bond.

Fonseka also tried out directing to much accolade. His debut directorial work "Parasathu Mal" was warmly received.

1970s and 1980s

Fonseka's role as Willie Abeynayake in "Nidhanaya" (1970) is considered his crowning achievement. The film has been adjusted the best Sri Lankan film in several different critical works.

In 1980 Fonseka played Jaffna Tamil clerk Nadarajah in Sunil Ariyaratne's "Sarungale".

Political career

In 1989, Fonseka entered politics after he joined the United National Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1989 as a representative of the Matara District and was appointed Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka. He was later appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga as Governor of the former North-East Province.

Death

Fonseka passed away at the age of 68 at his residence in Ja ela.cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2004/09/040930_gamini_fonseka.shtml|title=Tributes to cinema legend Gamini flow in|publisher=BBC News|date=30 September,2004] cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2004/10/041003_gamini_funeral.shtml|title=Nation says goodbye to silver screen hero|publisher=BBC News|date=03 October,2004] cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3704646.stm|title=Sinhala film legend Gamini dies|publisher=BBC News|date=30 September,2004]

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0284715|name=Gamini Fonseka
* [http://www.gaminifonsekafoundation.org Official Website - Gamini Fonseka Foundation]
* [http://www.srilankafilmcorp.com Official Website - National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/09/30/fea01.asp Gamini Fonseka: A Man of the Troops]
* [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/lankeyacinema/?id=Gamini Gamini's Film History in Sinhala]