Palitha Silva


Garanduwa Baarage Palitha Silva is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Silva acted in more than 400 television serials and is best known for the roles in teledramas Keetaya, Deweni Inima and titular character in the biographical film Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano. He was awarded the title of Maanava Hithavadee Keerthi Sri Veeraputra Deshabandu in June, 2019 for his service towards Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Personal life

He is married to longtime partner, Namalee Silva. She is the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the Marketing Division of Sri Lanka Insurance. She went to Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo. Then Namalee graduated with a marketing degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London. She knew Palitha since 10 years of age. They both lived in the same village, Mount Lavinia and both attended the same Dhamma School, Mount Lavinia Dhammodaya Dhamma School.

Theater career

His entry to theater and drama came through Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's drama Ekadhipathy. After that, he got the opportunity to contact with Dr. Soloman Fonseka and learnt basics of scientific acting.
In 1984, his maiden theater direction came through the play Ballangen Pravesam Wenu. The drama was selected for the final round of youth drama festival and won many awards. He also directed stage plays for many schools such as Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He has also worked with British and German dramatists.
His first theater direction play Ballangen Prawesham Wenu was done in 1984 for the Young Drama Award festival. Them after 28 years, he directed a stage play called Circus Karayo, which was first present at Lionel Wendt Theater on 31 July 2012.

Notable works

In 1998, Silva directed the tele film, Amuththek Awith which won awards. In 2000, he directed Thrasthawadinge Ghathanaya for Swarnavahini.
He became more popular through the drama mystery television serial Keetaya which was telecasted on Independent Television Network. Currently, he acting in the soap opera Deweni Inima as cricket coach.

Notable works

He worked as the Workshop director of The Young Learners' Center at the British Council. He stated that his greatest ambition is to be a writer. He has published two novels, E Deegeka Giyaya in 1998 and the Athek Barata Henduvak on 8 October 2004.. He also works as Director, Scriptwriter and a lecturer of cinematography.

Filmography

Silva started his film career with Kawuluwa back in 1987, directed by Jackson Anthony with a minor role. His most popular cinema acting came through films Sir Last Chance, Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano and Maharaja Ajasath. The role in Maharaja Ajasath as Arahat Devadatta was highly praised by the critics.
YearNo.FilmRoleRef.
1987663Kawuluwa
1993771Sargent NallathambiNanapala
1994796Ekada Wahi
1994800Nohadan Landune
1995837Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya
1995831MaruthayaDinesh
1996850Sihina Desayen
1996858Hiru Sanduta Medi Wee
1998890Gini Avi Saha Gini KeliWillie
1999924Seetha SameereJanaka
2000942Sanda Yahanata
2000943Anuragaye AnanthayaKamal Kanchana Swarnadipathi
20031009Le Kiri KanduluProsecutor
20031013Sudu KaluwaraDingiri Banda
20051056SulangaSiripala
20061081AmmawaruneAGA officer
20081107WalapatalaChartin
20091122Sir Last ChanceDon Ladan 'George Washingpowder'
20101136Kshema BhoomiAnura Suriyabandara
20101144Ira Handa YataLieutenant Silva
2010Kawulu Dora
20111150SinhawalokanayaHeen Appo
20121170Kusa PabhaKing Madu
20121176DaruwaneDoctor
20121180PrathirooBuddhist monk
20131189Siri ParakumKing Vijayabahu III
20141211Anagarika Dharmapala SrimathanoAnagarika Dharmapala
20141209ParapuraPolice officer Sathyapala
20141218Api Marenne NaManoj Amarajeewa
20151233Maharaja AjasathRev. Devadatta Thero
20161247SinhayaSabhapathithuma
20171274NilanjanaDananjaya
20171277Nimnayaka HudekalawaArmy officer
20181296Nela
20181313Nidahase Piya DSF. R. Senanayake
2019President Super Star
TBDSurangana Lowin AwillaJayashan's Father
TBDGunananda Himi Migettuwatte
TBDThanapathilage Gedara
TBDAdventures of Ricky DeenHeavies
TBDHithumathe JeewitheMarasinghe
TBDAmong the Stars
TBDMarukathara

Awards and accolades

He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals, both for acting and direction.

Awards