Jagath Manuwarna Kodithuwakku is a Sri Lankan actor and politician currently serving as a Member of Parliament. He is also active in the Sri Lankan film industry.[1][2]
Jagath Manuwarna ජගත් මනුවර්ණ | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Kandy District | |
| Assumed office 21 November 2024 | |
| Majority | 128,678 preferential votes |
| Member of Parliament for Kandy District | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jagath Manuwarna Kodithuwakku Galaha, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Political party | Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna |
| Other political affiliations | National People's Power |
| Education | Delthota Central College, Kandy |
| Occupation | Actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, presenter |
| Awards | Best Director Best Promising Actor |
Background and acting career
editManuwarna was born in Galaha, Kandy, Sri Lanka.[3] He completed education from Delthota Central College, Kandy. After school life, he entered Tower Hall Drama School, Colombo and learned drama and theatre. In 2003, he joined Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation where he worked as a presenter.[citation needed]
As a filmmaker, Manuwarna directed his maiden short film Gindara Poddak which won the award for the Best Short Film in 2006 Guerilla Film Festival, Sri Lanka.[3] Then he directed two short films: Water Lily, Playing Cards and Cleansing, where first two dramas received the award for ‘Best Short Film’ at the Agenda Short Film Festival in the years 2011 and 2012.[citation needed] He has acted in the television serials such as: Kodi Gaha Yata, Sahodaraya, Koombiyo, A/L Iwarai and Eka Langa Kotu.
In 2017, he directed his maiden feature film Whispering Mountains, which was screened in 2023.[4] The film received positive reviews from critics and the film won the NETPAC Award for the best Asian feature film at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023.[5][6][7][8] Manuwarna later won the award for the Best Director in the Asian Competition Section of the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival for the film.[9][10]
In 2021, he directed the television serial Kodi Gaha Yata which was telecast on Independent Television Network.[11] On 28 April 2024, he was accidently shot during a shoot at the film set of Father directed by Chaminda Jayasuriya. He was immediately transported to Colombo Hospital for treatment with a minor injury.[12]
Political career
editIn March 2022, Manuwarna along with Lahiru Weerasekera, Rathindu Senaratne, Dhammika Munasinghe, Venerable Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero, Eranga Gunasekera, and Jehan Appuhamy were surrendered to the Maradana Police via counsel after an illegal assembly opposite.[13]
In November 2024, he contested for the 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from Kandy district as a member of the National People's Power.[14] Manuwarna was elected to the parliament in the election representing Kandy Electoral District.[15]
Electoral history
edit| Election | Constituency | Party | Alliance | Votes | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 parliamentary | Kandy District | JVP | NPP | 128,678 | Elected | [16] | |
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
As an actor
edit| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Karma | Piyal | [17] |
| 2013 | Nikini Vassa | [18] | |
| 2014 | WarigaPojja | Billa | [19] |
| 2017 | Kaala | Wattaka's henchman | [20] |
| 2019 | Ginnen Upan Seethala | Upatissa Gamanayake | [21] |
| 2019 | Dekala Purudu Kenek | Sanka | [22] |
| 2023 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | [23] | |
| TBA | Sulangin Ahanna † | ||
| TBA | Marine Drive † | ||
| TBA | Muruga Sanniya † | ||
| TBA | Father † |
As a director
edit| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | [23] |
| TBA | Kodi Gaha Yata 2 † | [3] |
Awards and accolades
editState Drama Festival
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malsara Bisau | Best Stage Management | Won |
Guerrilla Film Festival
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gindara Poddak | Best Short Film | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Nikini Vessa | Most Promising Actor | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rahas Kiyana Kandu | Best Director | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Jagath Manuwarna filmography". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Jagath Manuwarna biography". iffr.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "'Kodi Gaha Yata Season 2' in cinemas soon". sundayobserver.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Jagath Manuwarna highlights artists' duty to confront state violence in award-winning film". themorning.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "'Whispering Mountains': A cinematic triumph in Sri Lanka". sundayobserver.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Sri Lanka shines at Rotterdam film festival". The Morning. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Envision the film that reflects your unique voice and perspective – Stefan Borsos". Sunday Observer. 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Two Sri Lankan films recognized at International Film Festival Rotterdam". NewsWire. 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Jagath Manuwarna wins 'Best Director' at Dhaka International Film Festival". adaderana.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Jagath Manuwarna wins 'Best Director Award' at DIFF". themorning.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "ජගත් මනුවර්ණ කොඩි ගහ යටින් ටෙලි අධ්යක්ෂණයට". lankatruth.com. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Actor Jagath Manuwarna accidently shot!". srilankamirror.com. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Seven wanted protestors surrender to police". newsfirst.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Actor Jagath Manuwarna to contest from Kandy". newswire.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "List of candidates and preferential votes in Sri Lanka 2024 election". economynext.com. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Matale District preferential vote results released". adaderana.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "'Karma' on three characters". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ "'Nikini Wessa' Monopoly in film distribution discourages young filmmakers". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Power of people in filmmaking". Sunday Times. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Legends to Cinema - Kaala". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Gratitude for that sacrifice - Director Anuruddha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Malith's maiden movie at PVR: Film 'Dekala Purudu Kenek'". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ a b "'Whispering Mountains' to be screened in Australia". lankaleader.lk. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
External links
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