Amarasiri Kalansuriya

Amarasiri Kalansuriya is a Sri Lankan actor.

Kalansuriya made his first film appearance alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga in " Hanthana Kathawa". His next film "Ahas Gauwa" won him a best actor award in 1974.cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010520/tv.html#2|title=Kalang: Odd yet brilliant actor|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=2001|publisher=Sunday Times]

Kalansuriya was thrust into a parent role at the age of 17 when his mother died and he was left to take care of his three brothers. Kalansuriya left the world of film behind, finding work as a casual laborer earning RS 1.75 per day. After a quarrel with a boss he vowed to not work under anyone and went off to pursue less strict work. In this pursuit he saved up Rs. 300 and started a small business selling clothes in Kegalle and Peradeniya. Successful he moved up into tailoring and owned two tailor shops. Here he got the chance to make clothes for the army and rub shoulders with rising political figures like Lalith Athulathmudali.

Financially secure, Kalansuriya accepted a invitation from H. D. Premaratne to star in the film "Apeksha" in 1978. His second film after the hiatus, "Parithyagaya", won him more awards from OCIC and Sarasaviya. Kalanasuriya had a leading role in the first television serial made in Sri Lanka, "Dimuthu Muthu" directed by D. B. Nihalsinghe.

After another hiatus, Kalansuriya returned to film with "Shilpa Denumena" in 2001.

References