Cyril Wickramage


Cyril Wickramage is a Sri Lankan actor, director and singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.

Personal life

Wickramage was born in Kurunegala at the Kohila Gedera Hospital. He is the fifth sibling in the family with four brothers and four sisters. His father was a dancer and folk drummer in the village. At a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School and Colombo Veseli School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Wickramage was drawn to acting.

Drama career

Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play Muhudu Puththu, his maiden acting in stage dramas. He subsequently appeared in Devatha Eliya, Kuveni, Thavath Udasanak, Dawasak Wenas, Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa, Kada Walallu, Pabawathi, Liyathambara, Natukkaraya, Wes Muhunu, Ahasin Watunu Minissu and Idama.
On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a supporting role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura. The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and swept the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee.
In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera and producer Dr. Linus Dissanayake. 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo. Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Dr.Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in. The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva.
Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja, appearing in almost all of his films including Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe. The role in Bambaru Awith in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake.
Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane, Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.

Selected television serials

YearFilmRolesRef.
1965Handapana
1967Sath SamuduraGunadasa
1969Mokada UnePaala
1969BinaramaliSinger
1969Paara Walalu
1970Nim Walalla
1970Wes Gaththo
1972Sihina Lowak
1973Hathdinnath TharuPremadasa
1974Ahas GauwaCyril
1976WalmathwuwoSaman Weeratunga
1977Eya Dan Loku LamayekFighting card dealer
1978Selinage WalawwaSamson
1978Bambaru AwithCyril
1979DutugemunuDutugemenu
1979Chuda ManikyaPercy Ranatunga
1979Wisihathara PeyaSilva
1980KarumakkarayoPiyadasa
1981Soldadu UnneheTaxi Malli
1984ParasathuroIhalagama
1985Suddilage KathaawaRomiel
1985Karadiya Walalla
1987Mangala TheggaDhamme
1987Podi Vijay
1989SirimeduraAlbert
1990Palama YataSolomon
1991Sthree
1992KulageyaHoneymoon crasher
1994Ekada Wahi
1994Ambu SamiyoPiyadasa
1994Mee HarakaBus Conductor
1995SeilamaBande
1995MaruthayaDharmawardena
1996Bithu Sithuwam
1996Thunweni Aehe
1997Blendings
1998Sexy Girl
1999NagaranMinister
2000Anuragaye AnanthayaDharmasena
2002Thahanam Gaha
2004Gini Kirilli
2011Dheewari
2014Que Sera
2016WeerawarnaDon Almeida
2016SakkarangPitawela Gurun
2017BandhanayaMenik Hami