Wilson Gunaratne
Wilson Gunaratne is an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. He is most notable for the role Kodithuwakku in television comedy sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and stage drama Charitha Atak. It is the only stage play in Sri Lanka in which one actor portrays eight different characters with eight different voices.
Acting career
He was introduced to drama under the guidance of former parliamentary translator and actor Alfred Perera. Alfred has worked in China and the Philippines Radio. He invited Gunaratne to the orchestra for the popular television serial Vinoda Samaya program aired by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the drummer of that program.His maiden cinema acting came through film Samuganimi Ma Samiyani directed by his elder brother. Then he got a chance to play in his brother's second directed film Sasaraka Pethuma. By that time I was working as a senior manager in the hotel industry. After that, he entered the stage with the play Veniciye Welenda.
Gunaratne was highly popularized with the television sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni through the character Kodithuwakku. In the meantime, he acted in the serial Sathpura Wasiyo with the role "Pappa" which made his hallmark in drama career.
Apart from that, he produced a political comedy stage drama titled Charitha Hathak, which was later updated into Charitha Atak. Since its opening, Charitha Hathak has completed 37 shows within eight months. His seven characters include, Kodituwakku from "Nonava-runi Mahatvaruni", Pappa, Prof. Pragnaratne, Transport Teacher Mr. Bastian, Prof. Marenzie.
In 1998, he made first directorial debut with the television political satire Kodivinaya telecast by ITN.
Selected stage dramas
- Charitha Hathak
- Charitha Atak
Selected television serials
- Bhavana - Amuttha
- Charitha Dekak
- Hathara Wate
- Kinihiraka Pipi Mal
- Kodivinaya
- Kula Kumariya
- Kulavilokanaya
- Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni
- Kathura
- Sadisi Tharanaya
- Vinivindimi
- Willy King Show
- Yes Madam
Filmography
- No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.
| Year | No. | Film | Roles | Ref. |
| 1983 | 552 | Samuganimi Ma Samiyani | ||
| 1985 | 611 | Adara Kathawa | ||
| 1986 | 646 | Koti Waligaya | ||
| 1987 | 656 | Sathyagrahanaya | Lockout orator | |
| 1990 | 698 | Thanha Asha | ||
| 1991 | 722 | Keli Madala | Office Ranjani greeter | |
| 1998 | 890 | Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli | Paththini Charles | |
| 1999 | 922 | Theertha Yathra | ||
| 2000 | 944 | Pem Kekula | Jayathunga | |
| 2003 | 1003 | Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna | Garage owner | |
| 2012 | A Common Man | Prakash Kumar | ||
| 2012 | 1183 | Jeevithe Lassanai | Jayasundara, Wishwa's father | |
| 2013 | 1193 | Kauda Machan Alice | ||
| 2013 | 1196 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | Danny, Vadisha's Manager | |
| 2013 | 1197 | Double Trouble | ||
| 2013 | 1184 | Sri Siddhartha Gautama | Sage Asitha | |
| 2015 | 1230 | None Mage Sudu None | Hector | |
| 2017 | 1276 | Ali Kathawa | Maha Amathi | |
| 2018 | 1304 | Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara | Sage Asitha | |
| 2019 | 1322 | Thaala | ||
| 2019 | President Super Star | |||
| 2020 | Suparna | Professor | ||
| TBD | Eka Gei Sokari |