Bandula Vithanage

He was born on 11 September 1940 in Gonagala. He attended Athuruwella Primary School for primary education and then moved to Carey College, Colombo to complete up to G.C.E O/L. He completed his A/L education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda.[4] He entered to the University of Colombo for higher education and came under the influence of renowned dramatist Ediriweera Sarachchandra's university drama circle. He graduated with a master's degree in Dramaturgy and Acting.[8]

His son Nalaka Vithanage is a popular filmmaker.[9] He has produced three stage dramas - Rathri Bojanaya (2004), Kasi Malla (2006) and Upanda Maranaya (2009).[10] Nalaka is an old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo. Bandula Vithanage's niece Yashoda Wimaladharma is a popular actress in Sinhala television and cinema.[8][11]

In 1963, he started stage drama acting with P. Velikala's production Rathnavali with the role 'Vidushaka'.[4] In 1965, he produced his first theater play Megha Garjana, which is a translation of Harold Pinter's The Collection. He acted in Simon Navagattegama's Gangavak and then directed Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak.[8] Along with fellow dramatist Tony Ranasinghe, Vithanage produced the popular stage play Veniciye Velenda in 1980.[4]

He continued to produce several critically acclaimed foreign drama adaptations, which include Jean Anouilh's 'Becket, Romaya Gini Gani (based on Ray Cooney's Run for your wife), Sikuru Sanekeli.Senehebara Dolly (based on Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker), Hiru Dahasa (based on Wilder's Our Town), Macbeth (2006), Twelfth Night (1988), Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Comedy of Errors.[8][2]

He acted in small number of films where compare with efforts in theater and television. He worked with and assisted Vasantha Obeysekera in Wes Gaththo, and later acted in Dharmasena Pathiraja's Ahas Gawwa.[8] His maiden cinema acting came through 1974 film Dahakin Ekek directed by Merril Albert. His most notable television production came through Bumuthurunu, Aththa Bindei and Asal Wasiyo,[2] which were telecast in Rupavahini.[4] In 2011, he produced the play Romaya Gini Gani-2 as a joint effort with actor Roger Seneviratne. Romaya Gini Gani-2 was based on Cooney's play Caught in the net. He directed the television comedy serials I Love Jennie[12] in 2007 and Paththara Gedara in 2008.[13] In 2009, he acted in the stage play produced by his son Nalaka, Upanda Maranaya.[14]

He joined the Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in its early years and had a brief serving period.[15] He lived in England for three and a half years after the expulsion from SLRC along with Lucien Bulathsinhala.[5]

He translated several Shakespearean plays into Sinhala language.[2]

• Hamlet[35]
• Veniciye Velenda[36]
• Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu[37]
• Macbeth[38]
• Haemotama Waeradila[39]
• Romaya Gini Gani - 2[40]
• Romeo Juliet[41]
• Hamlet Sandeepanee[42]
• Sikuru Sanakeli
• Senehabara Dolly
• Jeewana Rekawa[43]
• Itu Pathuma[44]
• Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette[45]
• A Sonduru Minisa[46]

He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital while receiving treatments. His remaining were kept at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella on 2 September and brought to National Art Gallery on 4 September. Final rites performed at 4.00 pm and buried at Borella Cemetery on the same day.[47]

His play Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak won many awards at State Drama Festival in 1971 including Best Actress and Best Stage Designing. In 1996, the play Romaya Gini Gani won major awards including the Best Production, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting actor at State Drama Festival. On 30 January 2011, a felicitation program was held at John de Silva Theatre to celebrate 70 years of his life.[4][2]

• SIGNIS Director Tomorrow short film festival and felicitation
• Resplendent extravaganza in Melbourne