Damitha Abeyratne

Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara (Sinhala: දමිතා අබේරත්න; born September 14, 1975), popularly as Damitha Abeyratne, is a Sri Lankan film and teledrama actress.[2][3]

Damitha Abeyratne
Born
Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara

(1975-09-14) September 14, 1975 (age 48)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
EducationSamudradevi Balika Vidyalaya
St. Paul’s Girls School
OccupationActress
Years active1987–Present
Political partySamagi Jana Balawegaya (2023-present)
Spouse
Lenily Johnson
(m. 2014)
[1]
AwardsSarasaviya Best Actress Award (2003)
Sumathi Best Actress Award (2006)
WebsiteDamitha Abeyratne's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database

Career

She schooled at Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and St. Paul’s Girls School, Milagiriya. In 1987, she made her acting debut as an eight-year-old in the teledrama Passe Gena Manamali and later appeared in her first film Meeharaka directed by I. Hewawasam in 1993. However, she only played a significant role with Inoka Sathyangani's 2003 film Sulang Kirilli. This won her the Sarasaviya Best Actress Award, SIGNIS Best Actress Award and many other international awards.[4][5][6] She was also won awards for the dramatic roles of Dandubasnamanaya television series and Mee Haraka film.[7] Abeyratne played her debut role as director with the teledrama serial Sasara Sarani, where she was the producer as well.[8] She also played the title role in Batti teledrama, which broadcast on ITN.

Arrests and Controversies

In 2012, an intimate relationship between Abeyratne and Ven. Ruwanwelle Sobhitha thero was revealed after radio station Neth F.M. Balumgala broadcast several vulgar tapes of the alleged monk, trying to recruit a personal secretary.[9]

In 2013, actress Semini Iddamalgoda sued Abeyratne for Rs 50 million having allegedly defamed her during an interview with a Ran F.M. radio channel. In 2014, Abeyratne demanded Rs. 100 million as damages from Iddamalgoda for allegedly defaming her. The case was taken at the Colombo District Court on 24 February 2014.[10] On 14 October 2014, both withdrew their civil suits.[11]

On 5 November 2015, she was asked to make a statement due to a complaint on fraud and corruption at Sri Lanka Airlines. She went to Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power and State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and made a statement regarding a irregularity in food supply for a show.[12]

In 2022, Abeyratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for forcibly entering the presidents secretariat and obstructing the duties of the police officers during 2022 Sri Lankan protests.[13]

In February 2024, musician Iraj Weeraratne unraveled a massaging scandal involving Abeyratne[14] and two months later, Abeyratne and her spouse were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department facing charges related to a fraud amounting to Rs 3 million, falsely promising employment opportunities in South Korea.[15]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1994Mee HarakaSoma
1999Mandakini[16]
2003Sulang KirilliRathi[17]
2007Nisala GiraPoddi[18]
2008Adara MeenaAlso as Playback singer.
2009Ekamath Eka Rateka[19]
2010Dakina Dakina MalMandakini[20]
2010Sthuthi Nawatha Enna[21]
2010Bambara WalallaKumari[22]
2010Ira Handa YataLTTE female cadre[23]
2011SinhawalokanayaSirimal Ethana[24]
2011GamaniCrouched shooter[25]
2013Samanala SandhawaniyaPunya's roommate[26]
2014RupantharanaRadha[27]
2015Maharaja GemunuRohini[28]
2015PravegayaBrando's wife[29]
2015Suhada KokaLady in queue[30]
2016July 7Damitha[31]
2016Ulath Ekai Pilath EkaiRoshan's Mother[32]
2016Maya 3DShantha's fiancée[33]
2019Jaya Sri AmathithumaMrs. Galigamuwa[34]
2020Seda MawatheSamanthi[35]
2022Hithumathe JeewitheRasika[36]
2023Thattu Deke Iskole
2023Midunu VishwayaDr. Mahadewa's wife[37]
2024Sihinayaki Adare
TBDIce Cream[38]
TBDBahuchithawadiyaKanthi[39]
TBDElakandiye Marcus[40]
TBDSri Siddha[41]
TBDSuvisi Vivarana[42]

Notable television works

Awards and accolades

She has won several awards at the local theater, television and film festivals.[78][79]

  • 2005 - Vishva Keerthi Award For Winning Two International Awards for film Sulang kirilli
  • 2005 - Outstanding Young Personality Junior Chamber Sri Lanka for the contribution to the Art

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1995DandubasnamanayaBest ActressWon
2003Sulang KirilliBest Actress[80]Won
2010Dakina Dakina MalBest Actress[81]Won

Swarna Sanka Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1995Mee HarakaBest Supporting ActressWon
YearNominee / workAwardResult
2005Sulang KirilliBest Actress[82]Won

Sarasaviya Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1996Mee HarakaMerit AwardWon
2004Sulang KirilliBest Actress[83]Won
2015PravegayaBest Supporting Actress[84]Won

Sumathi Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2006Keli MadalaBest Actress AwardWon

Dhaka International Film Festival

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2004Sulang KirilliBest Actress AwardWon

Tamil Nadu International Film Festival

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2004Sulang KirilliBest Actress AwardWon

Raigam Tele'es

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2012SwayanjathaBest Actress[85]Won

References