Janaka Kumbukage (ජනක කුඹුකගේ) [Sinhala]), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] Highly versatile actor primarily engaged in television, Kumbukage is notable for his roles in films Saroja, Daruwane and Udumbara.[2]

Janaka Kumbukage
ජනක කුඹුකගේ
Born
Wadduwa, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actor, dramatist, director
Years active1984–present
AwardsPresidential Best Actor

Personal life

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He has one younger brother. His father and mother are retired teachers. He studied at more than five schools due to parents' transfers.[3] He studied at Wadduwa Madya Maha Vidyalaya, where his interest in drama has grown. He completed his A/L education in the commerce stream. Before entering drama, he entered Technical College, Maradana and studied Business Studies for four years. While involved in drama, he also worked in Milk Board. He is married to Anusha, where the wedding was celebrated in 1994. The couple has one son.[3]

Career

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In 1984, Kumbukage started his drama career under the guidance of Gamini Haththotuwegama’s dramatic workshops and then became a member of his Street Drama Group.[4] He also worked with Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Somalatha Subasinghe, Asoka Handagama and German playwright Klauz Coozemberg in many stage plays while in street dramas. In 2000 he won the award for the best Stage Actor for the play Beehama Buhumi in State Drama Festival. His maiden television acting came through Siva Rahasa Pura directed by Wimalarante Adikari.[5]

In 2009, he directed his maiden stage play Sulanga Mata Katha Karai. It was staged on July 25 and 26 at Lumbini Theatre, Colombo.[6][7] Kumbukage started his film career with Sihina Deshayen back in 1996, directed by Boodee Keerthisena.[8][9]

Notable theater works

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  • Adaraneeya Sanwadayak[10]
  • Ashawe Vidi Riya[11]
  • Banku Weeraya[12]
  • Debidi Bro[13]
  • Dhawala Bheeshana[4]
  • Eka-Adhipathi[14]
  • Handa Eliyata Wedi Thiyanna [15]
  • Hel Tamba[3]
  • Jana Mithura[4]
  • Jayasirita Pissu[16]
  • Kema Lasthi[17][18]
  • Kolamba Paara[19]
  • Makaraakshaya
  • Mama Kamathima Chocolate – Meya Asa Biscuit[20]
  • Mamai Aanduwa[21]
  • Nonawaru Samaga Mahathwaru[22]
  • Paadada Asapuwa
  • Puthra Samagama
  • Sayanaye Sihinaya[3]
  • Sudarshi[23]
  • Suwishalapura[3]

Notable television works

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Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Ref.
1996 Sihina Deshayen [82]
1997 Bawa Karma [83]
1999 Mandakini [84]
2000 Saroja Varuni's father [85]
2002 Punchi Suranganavi Suren [86]
2003 Pura Sakmana [87]
2008 Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai Alien [88]
2012 Daruwane Samarasekara [89]
2018 Udumbara Ananda's friend [90]
2019 President Super Star ISIS leader [91]
2024 Hora Uncle Nalinda [92]
TBA Thanapathilage Gedara [93]

Awards and accolades

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He has won several awards at the local stage drama, television and film festivals.[5]

Sumathi Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Isiwara Asapuwa Best Upcoming Actor Won

Presidential Film Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 Saroja Best Actor Won

State Drama Festivlals

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 Beehama Buhumi Best Actor Won
2013 Adaraneeya Sanwadayak Best Actor Won

References

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  1. ^ "Janaka Kumbukage bio". Rate your music. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  2. ^ "Sri Lankan Actors – Janaka Kumbukge". National Film Corporation Of Sri Lanka. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Chat With Janaka Kumbukage". Daily News. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "Act of the wise". Daily News. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Face2Face with JANAKA KUMBUKAGE". Info Lanka. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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  7. ^ "Sulanga Mata Katha Karai goes to Australia". Daily News. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "Janaka Kumbukge – ජනක කුඹුකගේ". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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  10. ^ "A Loving Dialogue at Lumbini". The Nation. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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