Pattiyage Sunil Soma Peiris (Pattiyage Sunil Soma Peiris, 13 April 1948 – 10 December 2021) (Sinhala: සුනිල් සෝම පීරිස්) was a Sri Lankan screenwriter, actor, editor and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] He was a prolific director who directed the most films in Sri Lankan cinema with forty five commercial films in various genres.[2]
Sunil Soma Peiris සුනිල් සෝම පීරිස් | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pattiyage Sunil Soma Peiris 13 April 1948 |
| Died | 10 December 2021 (aged 73) Maharagama, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Other names | P. S. S. Pieris |
| Education | Buwanekaba Maha Vidyalaya |
| Occupation(s) | Director, producer, screen writer, actor |
| Years active | 1968–2010 |
| Spouse |
Malani Ayesha Perera
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Sudesh Wasantha (son) |
Personal life
editHe was born on 13 April 1948 in Maharagama, Ceylon, as the second child of the family with eight siblings.[3] His father Salaman Peiris, was a businessman and mother was a housewife. He completed education from Buwanekaba Maha Vidyalaya, Maharagama. His school contemporaries are Nuwan Gunawardana, Amarasiri Peiris and Kandupola Kumaratunga.[4]
In 1971, he married his longtime partner, Malani Ayesha Perera. The couple has two sons: Rohana Prema Kumara, Sudesh Wasantha and one daughter, Vasanthika Piyanga Kumuduni.[5] Vasanthika's son Keshan Prasanna is a popular musician.[4] His son Sudesh Wasantha Pieris is also a filmmaker, actor and playback singer of Sinhala cinema.[6][7] Sudesh's daughter Chamathka is a songstress and playback singer.[8]
Since the 1980s, he suffered minor complications with diabetes.[3] In 2016, his body sugar increased and kidneys failed because of the effects of the drugs that he had taken for diabetes.[9] At that time, he had a kidney transplant.[5] Since 2016, diabetes got worse, where the left leg was cut below the knee and removed. In January 2019, a part of the right leg was also removed.[4]
Peiris died on 10 December 2021 at his residence at the age of 72.[10][11]
Career
editDuring school times, he acted in many Vesak dramas conducted in his hometown. Then he joined the drama group of Albert Gurunnanse and acted in Kolam dramas.[3] He entered Sinhala cinema with a minor uncredited role in Henry Chandrawansa's film Vanagatha Kella. Then he made group characters in the films lakseṭa Koḍiya and Vahal Dūpata. While acting in the 1973 film Thushara as a stuntman, he informed the director Yasapalitha Nanayakkara about his passion to become a filmmaker. Therefore, he was finally selected as the second assistant director of the film.[4] After the film, Sunil Soma became the first assistant director of Yasapalitha Nanayakkara and together they completed 18 films.[3]
In 1985, he made his debut cinema direction with Obata Diwura Kiyannam.[12] Then within 25 years, he made forty-five films. Out of the forty five films made by him, eight were co-directed with his son Sudesh Wasantha. In 1986 he co-directed the film Dinuma with Ananda Wickramasinghe. The first seven films (Obaṭa Divurā Kiyannam, Jaya Apaṭai, Mamai Rajā, Raja Wæḍakārayō, Yukthiyaṭa Væḍa, Dinuma and Obaṭai Priyē Aādarē) directed by Sunil Soma were screened for more than 100 days in a row, a record in Sinhala cinema.[5] Also, his film Mamai Raja was screened for more than 200 days, a record in Sinhala film history.[4] In 1993, he directed the Tamil film Sharmilavin Ithaya Ragam. Meanwhile, thirty-eight of his films were produced by Sunil T. Fernando, another record in Sinhala cinema for most films by same director-producer collaboration. Also, Sunil Soma is the second Sri Lankan filmmaker to direct films under two names. In some films, he used the name P. S. S. Pieris. (The first filmmaker was K. Venkatasalam who directed films under the name K. Venkat.)[13]
In 1986, he directed the film Obatai Priye Adare which was screened in 1987. Before the assassination of lead actor Vijaya Kumaratunga in February 1987, the film ran 75 days with less income. But after the assassination, the film ran for 130 days and became a blockbuster. On the final day of screening at Ritz Hall, the film crew donated 10 wheelchairs to commemorate Kumaratunga. In 1989, his film Mamai Raja became a blockbuster hit and passed 100 days. After reaching 100 days, producers Sonia Disa and Sunil T. opened two bank books for Kumaratunga's children, Vimukthi and Yashodara and Rs. 25,000 was deposited.[4] Sunil Soma introduced many actors and actresses to the Sinhala film such as: Anoja Weerasinghe, Anusha Damayanthi, Ruwanthi Mangala, Damith Fonseka, Shashi Wijendra, Arjuna Kamalanath and Anarkali Akarsha.[3]
In 1997, he entered active politics where he became a Member of the Maharagama Urban Council.[4]
Filmography
editAs a director
edit| Year | Film | Roles | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Obata Diwura Kiyannam | Director, Screenwriter, Actor: Record store clerk | |
| 1986 | Jaya Apatai | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1986 | Dinuma | Director, Actor: Station Inspector | |
| 1987 | Raja Wadakarayo | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1987 | Obatai Priye Adare | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1989 | Mamai Raja | Director, Screenwriter, Actor: Reprimanding Inspector | |
| 1989 | Obata Rahasak Kiyannam | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1989 | Sinasenna Raththaran | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1990 | Yukthiyata Weda | Director | |
| 1990 | Chandi Raja | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1991 | Raja Sellam | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1991 | Ran Hadawatha | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1992 | Sakwithi Raja | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1992 | Chandi Rajina | Director | |
| 1992 | Sinhayangeth Sinhaya | Director, Screenwriter, Actor: Inspector Lionel Saparamadu | |
| 1993 | Sharmilavin Ithaya Ragam | Director | |
| 1993 | Lassanai Balanna | Director | |
| 1995 | Wasana Wewa | Director, Screenwriter, Dialogues | |
| 1995 | Ira Handa Illa | Director | |
| 1995 | Chandiyage Putha | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1995 | Chandani | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1996 | Raththaran Malli | Director | |
| 1997 | Puthuni Mata Wasana | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1998 | Aeya Obata Barai | Director | |
| 1998 | Sathutai Kirula Ape | Director | |
| 1998 | Sexy Girl | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 1998 | Mohothin Mohotha | Director | |
| 2000 | Kauda Bole Alice | Director, Screenwriter | [14] |
| 2001 | Hai Baby Hai | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2001 | Pissu Puso | Director, Screenwriter | [15] |
| 2002 | Sansara Prarthana | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2002 | Pissu Double | Director | |
| 2003 | Pissu Trible | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2003 | Jim Pappa | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2003 | Hitha Honda Pisso | Director | |
| 2003 | Aege Daivaya | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2004 | Ohoma Harida | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2004 | Katawath Kiyanna Epa | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2005 | James Bond | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2005 | Mata Thama Mathakai | Director, Screenwriter, Producer | |
| 2007 | Weda Beri Tarzan | Director, Screenwriter, Technical Advisor | [16] |
| 2007 | Jundai Gundai | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2008 | Wada Bari Tarzan Mathisabayata | Director, Screenwriter, Dialogues | [17] |
| 2009 | Ali Surathal | Director, Screenwriter | |
| 2010 | Jaya Pita Jaya | Director, Screenwriter, Producer | [18] |
Other roles
edit| Year | Film | Roles | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Vahal Dupatha | uncredited role | |
| 1970 | Lakseta Kodiya | uncredited role | |
| 1973 | Thushara | Second Assistant Director | |
| 1976 | Pradeepe Ma Wewa | Assistant Director | |
| 1978 | Tikira | Assistant Director | |
| 1979 | Geheniyak | Assistant Director | |
| 1979 | Monarathenna | Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor, Actor: Hatha | |
| 1980 | Tak Tik Tuk | Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor | |
| 1980 | Muwan Palessa 2 | Assistant Director, Actor: Sagaya | |
| 1981 | Amme Mata Samawenna | Assistant Director | |
| 1981 | Geethika | Assistant Director | |
| 1982 | Newatha Hamuwemu | Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor, Actor: Canteen Mana | |
| 1983 | Ran Mini Muthu | ||
| 1983 | Sister Mary | Assistant Director, Assistant Film Editor | |
| 1984 | Jaya Sikurui | Assistant Director | |
| 1985 | Aeya Waradida Oba Kiyanna | Assistant Director | |
| 1985 | Mihidum Salu | ||
| 1997 | Savithirige Rathirya | Screenwriter | |
| 1998 | Julietge Bhumikawa | Somasekera | |
| 1999 | Unusum Rathriya | Screenwriter | |
| 1999 | Anduru Sewanali | Screenwriter | |
| 2001 | Daru Upatha | Screenwriter | |
| 2002 | Miss Lanka | Co-producer | |
| 2002 | Mamath Geheniyak | Screenwriter | |
| 2003 | Pin Pon | Screenwriter |
References
edit- ^ "Filmmakers of Sinhala Cinema: Sunil Soma Peiris". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "Sunil Soma Peiris films". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e "Just as the bomb was set, the bomb exploded suddenly: Sunil Soma Peiris". Deshaya. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Mu Arukgoda was killed by the LTTE ... I have no legs today! ... I am in a wheelchair ... Sunil Soma Peiris". Divaina. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ a b c "Seven consecutive films from the director of the highest number of films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "Sudesh Wasantha Pieris films". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "I'm not a blue film maker: Sudesh Wasantha". Divaina. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "Granddaughter of Sunil Soma Peiris who entered the art world through singing". සරසවිය. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ "Sunil Soma needs a kidney". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ bugsbunny (2021-12-10). "Popular Sri Lankan movie Director Sunil Soma Peiris passed away". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ "Veteran film director Sunil Soma Peiris passes away". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ "වාර්තා පොත වසා බොක්ස්ඔෆිස් රජු යන්නට ගියේය". සරසවිය. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Who are the directors who have made the most films?". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
- ^ "'Kauda Bole Alice': a rip-roaring comedy". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ ""Pissu Puso" : Local version of 'Crazy Boys'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Weda Bari Tarzan returns". Daily News. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.