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Wilson Karunaratne

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Wilson Karunaratne, popularly known as Wilson Karu (28 October 1942 – 3 May 2022) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, and stunt director.[1] Considered one of the best villains in Sinhala cinema,[2] Karunaratne acted in more than 240 films across many genres primarily as main antagonist.[3]

Wilson Karunaratne
විල්සන් කරුණාරත්න
Born28 October 1942
Colombo, British Ceylon
Died3 May 2022 (aged 79)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationLumbini College
Occupation(s)Actor, Stunt Director
Years active1972–2019

Personal life

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Wilson Karu was born on 28 October 1942 in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the second child of the family with four siblings.[4] He had one elder brother, one younger sister and one younger brother. He completed education from Lumbini College, Colombo. During young ages, he played football, cricket, gymnastics, wrestling, judo and karate. Once he was selected to go to a football training camp in Pakistan, but he could not attend the camp as he fell from motor bike and broke the shoulder.[5]

He never married and lived alone after the death of his parents. He died on 3 May 2022 at the age of 79.[6] His remains were laid at Jayaratne parlour for public respect on 3 May 2022 and cremation took place at Kirulapone crematorium at 4 p.m on 4 May 2022.[7]

Career

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He had a long standing passion to be an actor star where he frequently went to the film halls to watch English and Sinhala films. A relative called Punya Bulathsinhala referred him to the director of the film Hadawath Naththo Subayar Makeem in 1974. Karunaratne made his maiden cinematic appearance through the 1974 film Hadawath Naththo as a stuntman.[5] The first scenario was the fight with Robin Fernando at the Rubber Estate. He went missing from the films for about a year after Hadawath Naththo. After that, with the help of Karunadasa Perera, the then production manager of the films, Karu re-entered the film industry by joining the fight scenes in films such as Yakadaya, Hitha Mithura, Sankapali and Saradielge Putha directed by Neil Rupasinghe and Sarath Rupasinghe.[5]

In 1987, he got a lead role in the film Kiwule Gedara Mohottala directed by Pathiraja L.S. Dayananda. In one scene in the film, he had to jump from a height of about 80 feet, where his spine hit a rock. Dr. Godagama Jayasinghe treated his spine for months. He continued to make several near-to-death moments during jumps, summersaults and scenes in moving trains and trucks in the films such as:[5] Dinesh Priyasad's Demodara Palama, Malani Fonseka's Sasara Chethana, Cyril Weerasinghe's Anuradha, Preethiraj Weeraratne's Pudumai Eth Aththai, Ranjith Siriwardena's Yudha Gini Meda etc. He won a merit award for the role "Nicholas" in Fonseka's film Sasara Chethana.[8]

With that he acted in more than 250 Sinhala films and 15 television serials particularly as the villain.[9] Apart from cinema, he appeared in the television serials Thara Devi produced by Lucien Bulathsinhala and also in the serials Eranga and Ran Kahawanu.[5] Meanwhile, he also worked as the stunt director in few films.[10][11] In 2018 he appeared in the music video Danuna produced by Iraj Weeraratne, where the public later criticized his appearance for the life of popular singer Victor Rathnayake.[12]

Arrest

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In May 2020, Karu was arrest by the police due to obstruction of police duty in violation of quarantine laws. The incident had taken place in the Kirulapone area while attempting to obtain the Rs. 5000 allowance.[13] He was produced to the court by Kirulapone police.[14]

Accident

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In March 2021, Karu fell at his home and no one noticed for several hours. Neighbors rushed him to hospital after they saw the water continue to flow in the bathroom for a long time. He then received treatment at Ward 43 of the Colombo General Hospital.[15] A Bodhi Pooja for a speedy recovery was held at the Bellanwila Temple on 21 March 2021.[16]

Filmography and stunt coordination

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  • No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[17]
Year No. Film Roles Ref.
1974 288 Hadawath Naththo
1974 302 Jeewana Ganga
1976 352 Saradiyelge Putha Rate Mahaththaya's son
1977 365 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Karu [18]
1977 381 Yakadaya Truck fighter [19]
1978 389 Seetha Devi
1978 394 Hitha Mithura
1978 395 Selinage Walawwa Thug
1978 399 Veera Puran Appu Rebel [20]
1978 407 Apeksha
1979 422 Wasanthaye Dawasak Premasiri
1979 429 Sugandhi
1980 441 Jodu Walalu
1980 451 Sasaraka Pathum
1980 465 Sinhabahu
1980 469 Kiduru Kumari Fishermen leader [21]
1981 475 Sathweni Dawasa
1981 477 Valampuri
1981 485 Vajira John. as Stunt coordinator
1982 508 Bambara Geethaya Landlord
1982 512 Bicycale Hichchi Mahaththaya
1982 520 Anuradha
1982 521 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak as Stunt coordinator
1983 547 Sumithuro Share demander
1983 550 Yali Pipunu Malak
1983 552 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani as Stunt coordinator
1983 554 Chuttey Henchman
1983 560 Hasthi Viyaruwa
1983 564 Manik Maliga
1983 567 Samanala Sihina as Stunt coordinator
1983 568 Chandi Pataw Gracien
1984 578 Mala Giravi Pipe yard samaritan
1984 579 Kiri Kawadi Cyril
1984 584 Thaththai Puthai Karu
1984 589 Bambara Patikki
1984 593 Sasara Chethana Nicholas
1984 601 Batti
1984 607 Birinda
1985 619 Puthuni Mata Samawenna
1985 628 Du Daruwo
1985 631 Sura Duthiyo
1985 634 Kirimaduwal as Stunt coordinator
1986 643 Maldeniye Simion Wilson
1986 646 Koti Waligaya
1986 647 Pooja as Stunt coordinator
1986 649 Dinuma Piyadasa aka Bottle Piya
1987 660 Kivulegedara Mohottala Kiwuleygedera Mohottala
1987 657 Thaththi Man Adarei
1987 662 Kele Kella Fighting logger
1987 664 Nommana Ekai Willie. as Stunt coordinator
1987 665 Raja Wadakarayo Dixon
1987 666 Randamwal
1987 668 Obatai Priye Adare Henchman
1988 674 Gedara Budun Amma Mr. Gajanayake
1988 676 Amme Oba Nisa
1988 682 Ko Hathuro
1989 688 Okkoma Rajawaru
1989 691 Nommara 17 Wilson
1989 690 Shakthiya Obai Amme
1989 693 Waradata Daduwam
1990 698 Thanha Asha Willie
1990 699 Jaya Shakthi
1990 704 Hodin Naththam Narakin
1990 707 Pem Rajadahana
1990 710 Madu Sihina
1990 712 Christhu Charithaya Left side thief
1990 713 Honda Honda Sellam Don John
1990 714 Hitha Honda Puthek
1990 715 Hima Giri
1991 718 Paaradise
1991 719 Wada Barinam Wadak Na
1991 721 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya
1991 724 Hithata Dukak Nathi Minisa
1991 725 Asai Bayai
1991 729 Esala Sanda
1991 731 Salambak Handai
1991 735 Ali Baba Saha Horu Hathaliha
1991 736 Dhanaya
1992 742 Ranabime Weeraya
1992 747 Bajar Eke Chandiya
1992 751 Ahimi Dadaman
1992 752 Malsara Doni
1992 755 Kiyala Wadak Na Kapila's friend
1992 758 Okkoma Kanapita
1992 760 Oba Mata Wishwasai
1992 762 Suranimala
1992 763 Sathya
1992 764 Muwan Palesse Kadira
1992 765 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya Chula Gunathilaka
1993 771 Sargent Nallathambi B. O. G. de Soysa
1993 776 Sasara Sarisaranathek Oba Mage
1993 784 Bambasara Bisaw
1993 786 Sandarekha
1993 792 Soora Weera Chandiyo Wilson
1994 796 Ekada Wahi
1994 797 Jayagrahanaya
1994 805 Ahas Maliga
1994 808 Mawbime Weerayo
1994 810 Okkoma Hondatai
1994 813 Aathma
1995 820 Inspector Geetha Douglas
1995 825 Rodaya
1995 822 Vijay Saha Ajay
1995 826 Ira Handa Illa
1995 827 Pudumai Eth Aththai
1995 829 Wairayen Wairaya
1995 830 Demodara Palama Maurice [22]
1995 834 Age Wairaya Rocky
1995 837 Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya Dougie
1996 845 Api Baya Naha Nayana abductor
1996 851 Sura Duruwo
1996 852 Veediye Weeraya
1996 854 Mana Mohini Kira
1996 858 Hiru Sanduta Madi Wee
1996 859 Seema Pawuru
1996 862 Mal Hathai
1997 873 Soorayo Wadakarayo
1997 879 Viyaru Gaheniyak
1997 888 Ninja Sri Lanka
1998 892 Yuda Gini Mada Wilson
1998 895 Sathutai Kirula Ape
1998 900 Girl Friend
1998 903 Age Wairaya 3 Tony
1999 910 Salupata Ahasata
1999 917 Ayadimi Sama Tikiri's father
2000 935 Dadabima Baladasa henchman. as Stunt coordinator [23]
2000 936 Danduwama Mervin
2000 939 Age Wairaya 4 Bullet
2000 944 Pem Kekula [24]
2001 950 Oba Koheda Priye Wilson [25]
2001 951 Oba Magema Wewa
2002 973 Parliament Jokes Walisundara [26]
2003 1002 Vala In London Gajasinghe [27]
2003 1015 Sonduru Dadabima Inspector Wimalasena [28]
2003 1016 Yakada Pihatu Gal Somey [29]
2003 1017 Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak [30]
2005 1051 One Shot Minister Walisundara [31]
2005 1060 Seethala Hadu
2007 1091 Hai Master [32]
2008 1108 Ali Pancha Mage Mithura [33]
2008 1117 Nil Diya Yahana as Stunt coordinator [34]
2011 1164 Putha Mage Sooraya
2012 1173 Vijaya Kuweni Chief of Yaksha clan [35]
2014 1208 Ahelepola Kumarihami [36]
2014 1209 Parapura [37]
2015 1219 Bonikka [38]
2015 1224 Sanjana
2019 1330 Thiththa Aththa [39]
2022 Rashmi [40]

References

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  1. ^ "Wilson Karunarathna". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Robin Fernando selects best stuntnmen in the country". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Karu in Iraj video". Hiru FM. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karu no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Kind Karu". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Wilson Karu bids farewell". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Talk with Wilson Karu". rategossip. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Wilson Karunarathna - විල්සන් කරුණාරත්න". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Villain of Sri Lankan cinema Wilson Karunaratne dies". colombogazette. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". adaderana. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  12. ^ "The story that Wilson Karu is telling now". Siyatha FM. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karu speaks about the arrest". Hiru FM. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karu arrested". Hiru FM. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Veteran actor Wilson Karunaratne passes away". Mawbima. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Let's bless Karu". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  18. ^ "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  19. ^ "All about Yakadaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Veera Puran Appu (1979)". IMDb. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  21. ^ "පෙම් සිහින තොටින් 'කිඳුරු කුමාරි'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  22. ^ "'Demodara Palama' in memory of Gamini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  23. ^ "'Dadabima': story of tea and drugs". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  24. ^ "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  25. ^ "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Ranjan's maiden effort". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  27. ^ "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්‍රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Sonduru Dadabima". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  29. ^ "Udayakantha flies with iron feathers". IMDb. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  31. ^ "One Shot One". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  33. ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  34. ^ "Smooth Sailing". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  35. ^ "Vijaya Kuweni". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  36. ^ "Controversial Ehelepola episode on the silver screen". The Sunday Observer. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Parapura". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  38. ^ "Bonikka". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  39. ^ "Thiththa Aththa - තිත්ත ඇත්ත". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  40. ^ "Preethiraj is ready with RASHMI". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
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