Asoka Peiris

Asoka Peiris (born 1942 – died 24 December 2007 as අශෝක පීරිස්) [Sinhala]), was a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1][2] A highly versatile actor who mainly appeared in dramatic roles, Peiris is best known for the roles in Amba Yahaluwo and Guru Gedara.[3][4]

Asoka Peiris
අශෝක පීරිස්
Born1942
Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Died24 December 2007 (aged 65)
Moratuwa
Resting placeHoly Emmanuel Church Cemetery, Moratuwa
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationS. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
Occupation(s)Actor, Dramatist, Director, Music director
Years active1965–2011
SpouseChithra Peiris
Children3

Personal life

Ashoka Peiris was born in 1942 in Moratuwa, Colombo. His father died when he was about 16 years old. His preliminary education was at Presbyterian Girls' High School, Dehiwela and Ferguson's Girls' High School under Ms. Brooks. Then he attended S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia for secondary education. He was married to Chithra Peiris and the couple had two sons, Prakash and Eshantha, and one daughter, Menaka. After the marriage, he worked at Wellawatta Spinning and Weaving Mills, where he met Lester.

He had 6 grandchildren. Amrith, Dharaka & Amandhi are the children of his older son Prakash. Emma is the daughter of his second son Eshantha. Meshaak & Mareesha are the children of his daughter Menaka.

He died on 24 December 2007 due to a heart attack at the age of 65. His funeral took place in Holy Emmanuel Church Moratuwa. He was buried at the Holy Emmanuel Church Cemetery on 29th Friday, 2007 at 3 pm.[5]

Acting career

In 1959, he produced a Sinhala play called Karolis and Porolis along with his friend Marapana during his last year at school.[6]

He started his acting career with the stage play Pala Malla staged in 1965 with the main role.[6] Then he acted in an English play directed by Lucien de Soyza. His maiden cinema acting came through Delovak Athara directed by Lester James Peries with a supportive role. His first main role in cinema was in Thana Giravi directed by Roy de Silva.[7] In 1967, he directed the drama Sarana. In 1993, he won the Best Actor award at Sarasaviya Film Festival for his role in the film Guru Gedara.[8]

In 1994, Peiris won the award for the Best Actor at Sarasaviya Film Festival for the role in Guru Gedara. He continued acting in some foreign movies such as Shadow of the Cobra and Death Stone. Some of his most critically acclaimed roles came through films including, Yuganthaya, Baddegama, Yahalu Yeheli, Viragaya and Maruthaya.[7][9] His most notable television acting came through Amba Yahaluvo as Nelum Bandara, which became a cult in Sri Lankan television.[6][10]

In 1994, he founded The Moratuwa Arts Forum (MAF), which launched many projects to identify Moratuwa talents and promote music.[11] He worked as the chartered president of the forum from 1995 to 1996.[12]

In 2004, he worked as the music composer of Jolly Boys and Haadu Wassak films.[6]

Selected serials

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1966Delowak AtharaFactory walker
1981BaddegamaMr. Perera
1982Thana GiraviDoctor
1982Yahalu YeheliSimeon
1984MayaBandu
1985Yuganthaya
1987SathyagrahanayaJournalist Dharme[24]
1987Death Stone
1987ViragayaSammy[25]
1989Manika, une vie plus tard
1990Dese Mal Pipila
1990Hima Hira
1991Ali Baba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1992Sisila Gini GaniFrank Dunuwila
1993Guru GedaraPrincipal Ariya Bandara
1993SurabidenaDunwila[26]
1994Pawana Ralu Viya
1995MaruthayaWickramaratne
1996Anantha RathriyaWickie Fernando
1998Gini Avi Saha Gini KeliOscar
1999Mandakini[27]
2000SarojaBoutique owner[28]
2000Chakrayudha
2001Kinihiriya MalRenuka's father[29]
2001PoronduwaDoctor Ajith[30]
2002Thahanam GahaRoland Wijewardena[31]
2007Nisala Gira
2010Kawulu Dora[32]
2010Kshema BhoomiBandara

See also

References
  1. "Asoka Peiris (1942–2007)". IMDb. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  2. "Actors of Sinhala cinema - Asoka Peiris (1942–2007)". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  3. "An epitome of humanity : Tribute to Asoka Peiris". Sri Lanka Guardian. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  4. "Immortal within our hearts". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  5. "Veteran actor Ashoka Peiris passed away on the 24th following a heart attack". thummansala. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  6. "I will never call it a day". The Nation. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  7. "Remembering Ashoka Peiris". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  8. "Asoka Peiris - 'The Legend in our time' - Appreciation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  9. "Asoka Peiris films". mubi.com. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  10. "Asoka Peiris an inimitable actor". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  11. "Moratuwites step into the silver jubilee". Daily News. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  12. "MAF silver jubilee AGM". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  13. "Story of mango friends". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  14. "'Asani Wesi': portrays a remote village". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  15. "Awasan Horawa': a skilful adaptation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  16. "'Duvili Maliga' :Story of youth". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  17. "'Jeewa Chakra' brings world-renowned literature on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  18. "'Mindada': A story on trade union and love". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  19. "'Rankiri Soya' gives kids a hand". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  20. "Muhurath ceremony for 'Sathya'". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  21. "'Senehase Nimnaya': Tale of an adopted son". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  22. "Mohan Niyaz has a dream in Colour". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  23. "'Wara Peraliya' : Reflects society". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  24. "All about Sathyagrahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  25. "All about Viragaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  26. "සිතූ පැතූ සම්පත් දුන් සුරබි දෙන‍". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  27. "Mandakini - මන්දාකිනි". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  28. "'Saroja': tale of two small girls". Sunday Times. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  29. "Kinihiriya Mal - කිනිහිරියා මල්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  30. "'Poronduwa':Ratnam on correct track again". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  31. "'Thahanam Gaha': A film with a political flavour". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  32. "'Kavulu Dora' opens for public". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
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