Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara (Sinhala: දමිතා අබේරත්න; born 14 September 1975), popularly as Damitha Abeyratne, is a Sri Lankan film and teledrama actress.[2][3]

Damitha Abeyratne
Born
Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara

(1975-09-14) 14 September 1975 (age 49)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
EducationSamudradevi Balika Vidyalaya
St. Paul’s Girls School
OccupationActress
Years active1987–Present
Political partySamagi Jana Balawegaya (2023 - 2024)
Democratic National Alliance (Present)
Spouse
Lenily Johnson
(m. 2014)
[1]
AwardsSarasaviya Best Actress Award (2003)
Sumathi Best Actress Award (2006)
WebsiteDamitha Abeyratne's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database

Career

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She schooled at Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and St. Paul’s Girls School, Milagiriya. In 1987, she made her acting debut as an eight-year-old in the teledrama Passe Gena Manamali and later appeared in her first film Meeharaka directed by I. Hewawasam in 1993. However, she only played a significant role with Inoka Sathyangani's 2003 film Sulang Kirilli. This won her the Sarasaviya Best Actress Award, SIGNIS Best Actress Award and many other international awards.[4][5][6] She was also won awards for the dramatic roles of Dandubasnamanaya television series and Mee Haraka film.[7] Abeyratne played her debut role as director with the teledrama serial Sasara Sarani, where she was the producer as well.[8] She also played the title role in Batti teledrama, which broadcast on ITN.

Arrests and Controversies

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In 2012, an intimate relationship between Abeyratne and Ven. Ruwanwelle Sobhitha thero was revealed after radio station Neth F.M. Balumgala broadcast several vulgar tapes of the alleged monk, trying to recruit a personal secretary.[9]

In 2013, actress Semini Iddamalgoda sued Abeyratne for Rs 50 million having allegedly defamed her during an interview with a Ran F.M. radio channel. In 2014, Abeyratne demanded Rs. 100 million as damages from Iddamalgoda for allegedly defaming her. The case was taken at the Colombo District Court on 24 February 2014.[10] On 14 October 2014, both withdrew their civil suits.[11]

On 5 November 2015, she was asked to make a statement due to a complaint on fraud and corruption at Sri Lanka Airlines. She went to Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power and State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and made a statement regarding a irregularity in food supply for a show.[12]

In 2022, Abeyratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for forcibly entering the presidents secretariat and obstructing the duties of the police officers during 2022 Sri Lankan protests.[13]

In February 2024, musician Iraj Weeraratne unraveled a massaging scandal involving Abeyratne[14] and two months later, Abeyratne and her spouse were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department facing charges related to a fraud amounting to Rs 3 million, falsely promising employment opportunities in South Korea.[15]

Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Ref.
1994 Mee Haraka Soma
1999 Mandakini [16]
2003 Sulang Kirilli Rathi [17]
2007 Nisala Gira Poddi [18]
2008 Adara Meena Also as Playback singer.
2009 Ekamath Eka Rateka [19]
2010 Dakina Dakina Mal Mandakini [20]
2010 Sthuthi Nawatha Enna [21]
2010 Bambara Walalla Kumari [22]
2010 Ira Handa Yata LTTE female cadre [23]
2011 Sinhawalokanaya Sirimal Ethana [24]
2011 Gamani Crouched shooter [25]
2013 Samanala Sandhawaniya Punya's roommate [26]
2014 Rupantharana Radha [27]
2015 Maharaja Gemunu Rohini [28]
2015 Pravegaya Brando's wife [29]
2015 Suhada Koka Lady in queue [30]
2016 July 7 Damitha [31]
2016 Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai Roshan's Mother [32]
2016 Maya 3D Shantha's fiancée [33]
2019 Jaya Sri Amathithuma Mrs. Galigamuwa [34]
2020 Seda Mawathe Samanthi [35]
2022 Hithumathe Jeewithe Rasika [36]
2023 Thattu Deke Iskole
2023 Midunu Vishwaya Dr. Mahadewa's wife [37]
2024 Sihinayaki Adare
2024 Sri Siddha [38]
TBA Ice Cream [39]
TBA Bahuchithawadiya Kanthi [40]
TBA Elakandiye Marcus [41]
TBA Suvisi Vivarana [42]
TBA Rosa Kale Api Yan [43]

Notable television works

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Awards and accolades

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She has won several awards at the local theater, television and film festivals.[79][80]

  • 2005 - Vishva Keerthi Award For Winning Two International Awards for film Sulang kirilli
  • 2005 - Outstanding Young Personality Junior Chamber Sri Lanka for the contribution to the Art

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Dandubasnamanaya Best Actress Won
2003 Sulang Kirilli Best Actress[81] Won
2010 Dakina Dakina Mal Best Actress[82] Won

Swarna Sanka Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995 Mee Haraka Best Supporting Actress Won
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Sulang Kirilli Best Actress[83] Won

Sarasaviya Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Mee Haraka Merit Award Won
2004 Sulang Kirilli Best Actress[84] Won
2015 Pravegaya Best Supporting Actress[85] Won

Sumathi Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Keli Madala Best Actress Award Won

Dhaka International Film Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 Sulang Kirilli Best Actress Award Won

Tamil Nadu International Film Festival

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004 Sulang Kirilli Best Actress Award Won

Raigam Tele'es

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Swayanjatha Best Actress[86] Won

References

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