{"id":156786,"date":"2025-08-10T17:40:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T17:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=156786"},"modified":"2025-08-10T17:40:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T17:40:56","slug":"in-memoriam-vijaya-kumaratunga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/in-memoriam-vijaya-kumaratunga\/","title":{"rendered":"In Memoriam: Vijaya Kumaratunga"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Memoriam: Vijaya Kumaratunga<\/span><\/h2>\n

Source:<\/span><\/strong>Thuppahis<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

DBS Jeyaraj in 2022 at\u00a0https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=67620\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>where the title reads \u201cVijaya Kumaratunga: Charismatic Actor-Politician May Have Changed Nation\u2019s Destiny\u201d \u2026\u2026\u00a0<\/strong>Posted by\u00a0Administrator<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a021 February 2022, 1:11 am<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The political landscape of Sri Lanka seems gloomy and desolate. Most of the actors who strut about the political stage posing as visionaries and leaders are in actuality empty vessels devoid of substance. Proverbial wisdom tells us that empty vessels make most sound. This is most apparent in the cacophony of voices currently prevalent in the polity. In the words of William Butler Yeats \u201c The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.\u201d The positive dream of Sri Lanka evolving into an inclusive, plural nation is slowly turning into a numerical majoritarian hegemonic nightmare.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vijaya Kumaratunga in Jaffna<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the many reasons for this dearth of truly visionary, genuinely dedicated, leaders has been the political violence of the tragic past. The secessionary war spearheaded by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE), the anti-state insurgencies led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) and the repressive, no holds barred counter -violence unleashed by the state to combat the LTTE and JVP insurrections at different times have cumulatively resulted in the lives of many brilliant, benevolent leaders being snuffed out abruptly. This violence and counter-violence also brought to the forefront of politics many parochial personalities without depth of wisdom. Sri Lanka suffers!<\/span><\/p>\n

It is against this bleak backdrop therefore that I write this week about an endearing personality with an enduring vision whom I liked , admired and respected. A man who voiced for the powerless against the powerful. A man who envisaged the transformation of Sri Lanka into an inclusive , multi -ethnic, egalitarian and plural nation. A man who fought against race,religion, caste and class oppression. A much loved man of the masses who may have altered the destiny of this resplendent Isle in a very positive manner, had he not been felled in the prime of life by foul assassins. A man whose worth is increasingly valued in the present time where communal discord is deliberately promoted for short -term political gain. I write this week about the beloved actor turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga whose 34th death anniversary falls on February 16th 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have written some articles about Vijaya in the past. I will be drawing on some of them in writing this column. Also I need to mention that Vijaya\u2019s surname was originally spelled \u2018Kumaranatunga\u2019.It was as Vijaya Kumaranatunga that he blazed a trail on screen. Subsequently, the name was modified from Kumaranatunga to \u2018Kumaratunga\u2019. I shall however be referring to him as Kumaratunga in this article though he was actually known as Kumaranatunga for the greater part of his life. Also his name has been spelled as both \u2018Wijaya\u2019 and \u2018Vijaya\u2019. I shall refer to him as Vijaya in these columns.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was in 1975 that I saw Vijaya Kumaratunga in the flesh for the first time. I had not entered journalism then. He was coming out through the gates of a private hospital on High Street (WA De Silva Mawatha) in Wellawatte in a red car. Clad in a tee-shirt and trousers, Vijaya was in the driver\u2019s seat with strongman actor Piyadasa Gunasekara by his side. A bunch of girls going along the road had seen Vijaya in the car and surrounded the vehicle. Soon others including myself gathered around.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The giggling girls entered into good-humoured bantering with him. Vijaya gave back in style, cracking jokes effortlessly. A few got his autograph. After what seemed an eternity, Vijaya got the permission of his fans to leave. The crowd parted and Vijaya drove away waving and smiling. The girls who mobbed him were in a delightful daze. One of them remarked loudly, \u201cAney Bonikka vaage ney\u201d (Oh! like a doll, no?). \u201cPirisudhu Muhuna(pure face),\u201d said another. I had seen many of his films before but this was the first time I had seen him off-screen. I was impressed by his simplicity, accessibility and cheerful rapport with his \u201cunknown\u201d fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

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SLFP Candidate for Katana<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The next time I saw Vijaya was on the night of 21 July 1977. It was election day and I, as a cub reporter at the Tamil Daily Virakesari, was at the main counting centre and returning office at Royal College. The results were trickling in. Vijaya dressed in white came inside along with another Sinhala film actor (either Boniface Fernando or Roy de Silva). Vijaya was the SLFP candidate for Katana. He walked around with a smile and then seeing us journalists came over to exchange pleasantries.<\/span><\/p>\n

1977 was the year when Tamil Nadu actor M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) was tasting political success in India as the founder-leader of the All-India Anna-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (AIADMK). MGR had been elected chief minister of Tamil Nadu in June 1977. I introduced myself and asked Vijaya whether he was the MGR of Sri Lankan politics. He laughed loud and said he wished he were MGR and replied that he had a long way to go before he could ever be compared to MGR.<\/span><\/p>\n

As is well known, the SLFP was utterly routed by the UNP at the 1977 polls. Wijepala Mendis, who was the Katana sitting MP, defeated Vijaya Kumaratunga by a majority of 4,212 votes. Wijepala polled 23,950 to Vijaya\u2019s 19,738. When the Katana result was announced Vijaya had left but a triumphant Wijepala Mendis remained.<\/span><\/p>\n

After congratulating Mendis, I asked him what it felt like to defeat Vijaya Kumaratunga, the MGR of Sri Lankan politics. Mendis guffawed and said: \u201cAiyo, what is his experience in politics compared to me? Who is this fellow born the day before yesterday?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wijepala Mendis was right then but as the years progressed Vijaya Kumaratunga not only established himself as a film hero but also played a heroic role in politics, achieving great stature. In later years I got a few opportunities to meet and converse with Vijaya Kumaratunga. He was always open, frank, amiable and courteous.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dashing and Debonair Vijaya<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Thirty \u2013 four years have passed since the brutal assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga but the handsome filmstar-politico remains evergreen in the collective memory of his numerous fans and followers. In his thespian career of more than two decades, the dashing and debonair Vijaya enthralled millions of filmgoers with his scintillating screen performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had acted in 114 films at the time of his demise. Subsequently eight more of his films were released after his death. Thus Vijaya\u2019s final tally of films is 122. It is said that he had acted without getting any payment in 13 films. Almost all of his films were financial successes at the box office.. Due to the political machinations in the cinema sphere, Vijaya was seldom bedecked with laurels for his acting skills but as far as the film-going masses were concerned, he was their popular idol. He was voted most popular actor for eight years successively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya starred mainly in run-of-the-mill movies that entertained but he did act in some films that were different and made a difference too. 23 of the films acted in by Vijaya are regarded as artistic \u201cavant garde\u201d movies within the Sinhala cinema sphere.Like Sinhala cinema\u2019s superstar Gamini Fonseka, Vijaya Kumaratunga too was commercially valued and artistically acclaimed as a film actor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acting was his accredited profession but politics was Vijaya Kumaratunga\u2019s chosen vocation. Possessing left-leaning views and also being closely related to Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Vijaya was involved with the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) in his youthful days. He later joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and became its Katana organiser. As mentioned earlier Vijaya contested the Katana constituency unsuccessfully against Wijepala Mendis in 1977.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wooing and Winning Chandrika\u2019s Hand<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He married into the first family of the SLFP in February 1978 by wooing and winning the hand of Chandrika Bandaranaike. Chandrika was to disclose in a newspaper interview decades after Vijaya\u2019s death that she had met Vijaya for the first time in Kandy in 1977. Although Chandrika had seen a few of his films, it was as the SLFP candidate for Katana in 1977 that Vijaya was first introduced by Anura Bandaranaike to his sister. All SLFP candidates were attending a party conference in Kandy then.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vijaya Kumaratunga & Chandrika Kumaratunga<\/span><\/p>\n

Thereafter Vijaya made several trips to Horagolla where Chandrika was residing then. The Katana SLFP candidate began inviting the party leader\u2019s daughter for many political meeting in the constituency. The SLFP suffered a political debacle in July 1977. Vijaya however continued to meet with Chandrika for the ostensible purpose of discussion national and international political issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

These discussions flowered into a beautiful romance. They married on February 20th 1978. Film director Lester James Peries was the attesting witness on behalf of Vijaya and former Agriculture and Lands minister Hector Kobbekaduwe attested for Chandrika.It was a simple ceremony with only 19 guests present.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya moved in with Chandrika to 63 Rosemead place after marriage. Later they relocated to I residences in Kynsey Road, Borella and Polhengoda Road in Kirullapone. Vijaya and Chandrika have two children. Daughter Yashodara was born in 1980 and son Vimukthi in 1982. Both are medical doctors in Britain now. Vijaya and Chandrika planned to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary grandly on February 20th 1988. Alas! Vijaya was assassinated four days before that on Feb 16.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite losing elections, Vijaya plunged zestfully into SLFP politics and was the livewire behind the island-wide campaigns protesting the deprivation of Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike\u2019s civic rights in 1980. I can yet recall the press conference held at Rosemead place by Mrs. Bandaranaike in October 1980. She was flanked by lawyers VW Kularatne and Gamini Iriyagolla. The atmosphere got \u201celectrified\u201d when Vijaya arrived in a jeep dressed in a strikingly colourful batik sarong and shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrested Under JR Regime for \u201cNaxalite\u201d Plot<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1982 Mrs.Bandaranaike could not contest presidential polls because her civic rights had been taken away. Hector Kobbekkaduwe contested as SLFP candidate. Vijaya and Chandrika actively campaigned for Hector. JR Jayewardene however won and was re-elected as president. Recognizing the political abilities and leadership potential of Vijaya, JR had him locked up along with hundreds of SLFP activists in a makeshift prison in November 1982. Vijaya was later transferred to Welikade and kept in solitary confinement for a while. Severe restrictions were imposed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pretext under which Vijaya and others were imprisoned was over the allegation that they were engaged in a \u201cNaxalite\u201d conspiracy to overthrow the UNP Government of the day. The so called \u201cNaxalite plot\u2019 was a total fabrication. After winning the presidential poll, JR Jayewardene ordered a referendum to be held for extending the term of Parliament for a further six years without holding elections. He did not want dynamic persons like Vijaya canvassing against JR\u2019s objective in the referendum. Hence the Naxalite conspiracy was a calculated ruse to prevent Vijaya and his political comrades from participating at the referendum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though Gamini Fonseka was a UNP\u2019er the matinee idol opposed Vijaya\u2019s incarceration . He personally met President Jayewardene and appealed for Vijaya\u2019s release. Actor Tony Ranasinghe drafted a petition calling for Vijaya\u2019s release to be signed and sent to JR. Sadly very few in the Sinhala cinema industry had the courage to sign it then. Apart from Tony Ranasinghe only maestro Premasiri Khemadasa, Nanda Malini, Roy de Silva, Sumana Amerasinghe and Suneetha Weerasinghe signed it . Such was the prevailing climate of fear then. Some of us who remember the not so distant past can see signs of a similar fear psychosis setting in now.<\/span><\/p>\n

JR won the referendum in December 1982. Thereafter pursuing the \u201cNaxalite\u201d conspiracy investigation became unnecessary. Vijaya was released in January 1983. Unafraid and unbowed Vijaya began engaging in SLFP politics again.In May 1983 Vijaya contested the Mahara electorate for the SLFP in a by-election and lost by a narrow margin. There was however a lot of intra-party intrigues in the SLFP against Vijaya and Chandrika.<\/span><\/p>\n

Forming \u201cSri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya found himself unable to continue in the SLFP. In 1984 Vijaya Kumaratunga broke away from the SLFP along with Chandrika and others like T.B. Ilangaratne and Ratnasiri Wickramanayake to form the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP). The SLMP had a broad, refreshing political perspective. Its advent on the Sri Lankan political horizon was like fresh rain pouring on dry, parched earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1986 Vijaya contested the Minneriya by-election on behalf of the newly-formed SLMP. The UNP won but Vijaya came second, pushing the SLFP to third place. What was most significant about the Minneriya result was that Vijaya was first at the first count. The UNP wanted a recpunt. While counting was on there was a mysterious power black -out. Counting resumed when the lights came on. Lo and behold! Vijaya\u2019s votes had decreased during the black -out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The SLMP also played a crucial role in trying to bring about ethnic reconciliation.Vijaya Kumaratunga had an accommodative approach towards the long festering ethnic crisis. He led a delegation including Chandrika to meet Tamil militant leaders in Tamil Nadu in 1985. He met people like Anton Balasingham and Lawrence Thilaghar from the LTTE, Umamaheswaran and Vasudeva from PLOTE, Padmanabha and Ketheesh Loganathan from EPRLF and V. Balakumar and Eliyathamby Ratnasabapathy from EROS. Vijaya also met Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran and had a lengthy dialogue with the actor turned politician. Vijaya told a journalist later that MGR had talked about the Tamil film \u201cNankooram\u201d (anchor) in which Kumaratunga was lead actor. The Tamil actress Lakshmi was the leading lady.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga also went to Jaffna in 1986 when the peninsula was dominated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and met with Tiger leader Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias \u2018KIttu\u2019 and his spokesperson Srikumar Kanagaratnam alias \u2018Rahim\u2019. How this came about is an interesting tale by itself. The LTTE had captured two Sri Lankan soldiers in 1986 and were keeping them in custody. The tigers decided to derive some political mileage by releasing them unilaterally to a prominent Sinhala political leader who was sympathetic towards the problems faced by Tamils. LTTE supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran thought of Vasudeva Nanayakkara but Kittu and Rahim felt Vijaya was a better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

LTTE Invites Vijaya to Jaffna<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened thereafter was revealed by Rahim to a journalist some years later. Initially the LTTE in Jaffna did not even have Vijaya\u2019s telephone number. Rahim phoned TB Illangaratne without divulging his identity and obtained the actor\u2019s tel no. He then called Vijaya and told him who he was. Vijaya suspected a hoax and called him back. After several calls back and forth Kumaratunga was convinced that the LTTE was serious. He was happy about the LTTE wanting to release the two soldiers. The tigers invited Vijaya to visit Jaffna with Chandrika. Chandrika however was unable to do so due to some personal reasons and so Vijaya planned to visit Jaffna with Ossie Abeygunasekera. Subsequently Felix Perera also joined them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In Jaffna<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The trio were given a rousing welcome by the LTTE. They also met with the two soldiers in captivity. It was arranged for Vijaya to return to Jaffna with members of the soldier families and some religious leaders. The soldier duo would be handed over to Vijaya in the presence of family members and religious dignitaries it was said. Vijaya\u2019s trip to Jaffna and inter-action with the LTTE was extensively filmed and made into a video cassette.In those days there was no internet and the word \u201cViral\u201d had not been popularized as it is now. However the video cassette of Vijaya;s Jaffna trip to meet the LTTE became very popular. Copies were made and circulated widely. Vijaya Kumaratunga became a political hero overnight. More importantly the video helped improve ethnic relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The UNP Govt and National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali got worried. Lalith thought of undermining Vijaya by appropriating \u201ccredit\u201d for the release of soldiers. He used his channels of communication with the LTTE and made an offer to release two LTTE suspects in the custody of security forces in return for the soldiers. It must be noted that the LTTE had been prepared to release the two soldiers to Vijaya without expecting a quid pro quo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile another \u201ctwist\u201doccurred in the North. The LTTE learnt belatedly that one of their senior leaders Aruna was being held by the Army at the Jaffna Fort. It had been believed earlier that Aruna had perished at sea when a Sri Lankan navy vessel had fired on a LTTE boat. Aruna hailing from Kalviyankaadu in Jaffna was a very senior tiger leader and had even functioned as the LTTE commander for Batticaloa district. However Aruna had not divulged his real identity to the Navy when he was picked up by sailors after the tiger boat had capsized. Aruna had identified himself as \u201cKunju Kumar\u201d the helmsman or \u201cOatti\u201dof the boat and claimed to have been hired by the tigers to steer the vessel. Thus Aruna remained in army custody without the security forces realizing they had a prize catch in their hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tigers Disappoint Vijaya Kumaratunga<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Once the LTTE in the north confirmed that Aruna was alive in army custody their plans changed. They grasped Athulathmudali\u2019s offer and began negotiating quietly. While clandestine negotiations were going on, Vijaya Kumaratunga arrived in Jaffna with the religious leaders and family members. The LTTE gave them a warm welcome and allowed family members to meet and spend time with the soldiers. The Jaffna tiger commander Kittu even offered \u201cAta Pirikara\u201d to the Buddhist monks. The tigers declined to release the soldiers as arranged earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

A disappointed Vijaya returned empty -handed. National security minister Lalith Athulathumudali was jubilant at Vijaya\u2019s discomfiture and expedited the exchange of prisoners with the LTTE. But he was left with a lot of egg on his face when it became known that Kunju Kumar was actually Aruna and that the Govt had unwittingly let slip the top most tiger they had ever captured alive. To strike a personal note it was I -working then as Colombo Correspondent of \u201cThe Hindu\u201d \u2013 who scooped the story of the Govt releasing Aruna to the tigers without knowing who he was.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga also welcomed the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, thereby incurring the wrath of the Rohana Wijeweera-led Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). He criticized the JVP boldly. Referring to the Anti-Indian hysteria propagated by the JVP and its fellow travellers, Vijaya said that even Lord Buddha would be declared persona non grata in Sri Lanka by the JVP because the enlightened one was regarded as the noblest son of India. The JVP was furious.Vijaya Kumaratunga was murdered by a gun toting killer just four days before his tenth wedding anniversary on 20 February. The history of Sri Lanka may have been entirely different had Vijaya Kumaratunga not been cut down so cruelly in the prime of his life. A life that was so constructive and full of promise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kovilage Vijaya Anthony Kumaratunga<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kovilage Vijaya Anthony Kumaratunga was born in Seeduwa on 9 October 1945 to Roman Catholic parents. His father Kovilage Benjamin Kumaratunga as well as his paternal grandfather Mudaliyar Jayagris Kumaratunga served as village headmen of Seeduwa. Vijaya\u2019s mother Clara Beatrice Perera hailed from Madahamulla, a village between Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya had his early schooling at Kandana and then enrolled at St. Benedict\u2019s College, Kotahena. Vijaya excelled in singing, drama and oratory during schooldays and won gold medals frequently. He also led the college\u2019s Sinhala debating team. When the SLFP Government of 1960-65 nationalised private schools in 1961, the Catholic Church running hundreds of schools throughout the Island protested vehemently. However, Vijaya belonged to a progressive school of thought among Catholics that welcomed the schools take- over. This created problems for Vijaya at St. Benedict\u2019s. So in 1962 Vijaya left St. Benedict\u2019s College and joined De Mazenod College in Kandana where he completed his secondary education.<\/span><\/p>\n

Young Vijaya\u2019s first love was not to act on screen but to don a khaki uniform. He wanted to become a Sub-Inspector of Police. From childhood Vijaya had wanted to be a Policeman but his family, notably his mother, objected strongly. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his ambition and applied for a Sub-Inspector post. He was selected for an interview but the tears and wails of his beloved mother resulted in him abandoning the idea reluctantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya now began to think of a career in acting. He made contact with the \u2018Apey Kattiya\u2019 drama group of Sugathapala de Silva and made himself available. He went to see almost every performance of the group. Vijaya also enrolled at the Serendib Art Centre run by Shesha Palihakkara to learn dancing. Shesha Palihakkara had co- produced several films like \u2018Ran Muthu Duwa\u2019, \u2018Getawarayo\u2019 and \u2018Sarawita\u2019. Palihakkara wanted to produce a film about the legendary warrior Puran Appu who rebelled against the British. This was many years before Lester James Peries made \u2018Veera Puran Appu\u2019 in 1979.<\/span><\/p>\n

Palihakkara picked Vijaya Kumaratunga to play Fransiscu Fernando\/Puran Appu and Wally Nanayakkara to act as Gongalegoda Banda\/King David in his film. Vijaya was highly excited and went to fellow Benedictine and reputed stuntmaster cum action star Robin Fernando to learn fighting techniques and horse riding. But Palihakkara\u2019s \u2018Puran Appu\u2019 never saw the light of day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGanga Addara Ma Sihil Senehi\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya was sorely disappointed but was consoled when he got an offer to act and sing in a musical drama \u2018Sithijaye\u2019 for which the words were written by T. Kuruwita Bandara and the music composed by Premasiri Khemadasa. The music maestro Khemadasa Master was highly impressed by Vijaya.Many years later Vijaya got a chance to sing in the award winning \u201cGanga Addara\u201d directed by Sumitra Peries. The music was by Nimal Mendis. The song \u201c Ganga Addara Ma sihil senehi\u201d sung by Vijaya lingers in memory still.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was the Khemadasa master connection which enabled Vijaya to get his first break in films. The well-known film editor T. Bawanandan was directing a film called \u2018Manamalayo\u2019. The film starring Tony Ranasinghe, Joe Abeywickrema and Shiranee Kurukulasuriya had Khemadasa composing music. Bawanandan was looking for some new faces to act in minor roles. Khemadasa Master recommended Vijaya, who was given a small part. Finally, Vijaya got his first break in films. \u2018Manamalayo\u2019 was released in March 1967. This was Vijaya Kumaratunga\u2019s first screen role.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya kept on trying to act in films. Once he heard that Lester James Peries was looking for a young man to act in his next film. The film was \u2018Akkara Paha\u2019 based on a novel by Madawala S. Ratnayake. Lester needed someone to play the male protagonist Sena.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya made his way to Lester\u2019s residence very early in the morning and seated himself on the Verandah. When Lester was awake, the director was told that a young man was seated in front for more than an hour for an interview with him. Peries went out to speak to this \u201coutstandingly handsome young man\u201d (in Lester\u2019s own words). Unfortunately for Vijaya, Lester had already signed up Milton Jayawardene to play the lead role Sena. Peries told Kumaratunga that he would have certainly cast Vijaya in the role but he had already signed on another actor and it was too late now. The director asked Vijaya to keep in touch with him and promised that he would consider him for another role in a new film.<\/span><\/p>\n

Greatest Icon in Sri Lankan Cinema<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Relating the incident in the book of interviews \u2018Lester on Lester\u2019, compiled by Kumar de Silva, the doyen of Sinhala film directors says: \u201cThe young man happened to be Vijaya Kumaratunga who went on to become the greatest icon in Sri Lankan cinema.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lester goes on to say: \u201cIn life you have things that simply slip through your fingers. I regretted not having given him (Vijaya) even a small part, even to massage my ego in saying that I \u2018discovered\u2019 Vijaya. But it is that I did not have the luck to provide him with that breakthrough role.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So Sri Lanka\u2019s foremost film maker Lester James Peries was not destined to \u201cdiscover\u201d Vijaya Kumaratunga and cast him in a distinctive role. That honour went to two directors who cast Vijaya almost simultaneously in their films which were released almost together.<\/span><\/p>\n

One director was Sugathapala Senerath Yapa who made \u2018Hantane Kathawa\u2019 with Tony Ranasinghe and Swarna Mallawarachchi. The other was G.D.L. Perera who made \u2018Romeo Juliet Kathawak\u2019 with actors like Rukmani Devi, Douglas Ranasinghe, Joe Abeywickrema and Piyadasa Gunasekara. But Lester himself was to utilise Vijaya Kumaratuga\u2019s acting skills for three of his films.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Lester James Peries Films<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The first in 1975 was for \u2018The God King\u2019, Lester\u2019s historical film about Kassapa of Sigiriya. The Eastman colour film in English produced by Dimitri de Grundwald had western actors like Leigh Lawson, Oliver Tobias and Geoffrey Russell playing the main roles of Kassapa, Migara and Dhatusena respectively. But Sri Lankans such as Ravindra Randeniya, Iranganie Serasinghe, Joe Abeywickrema, Douglas Wickremasinghe and Mano Breckenridge played the other roles. Vijaya Kumaratunga acted the part of Lalith in \u2018The God King\u2019, which was the only English film that he acted in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second of Lester\u2019s films in which Vijaya acted was \u2018Ahasin Polowata\u2019 released in 1978. The film was based on a novel written by Eileen Siriwardene, a teacher who later became the principal of Visakha Vidyalaya in Colombo. Eileen was the wife of D.B.I.P.S. Siriwardene, one of Sri Lanka\u2019s finest civil servants and an accomplished linguistic scholar with a double doctorate. The film had Tony Ranasinghe in the lead with Sriyani Amarsena and Vasanthi Chathurani. Vijaya Kumaratunga played second lead in the role of a doctor friend. The film was shot in 23 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third and last Lester James Peries film in which Vijaya Kumaratunga acted in was \u2018Beddegama\u2019, the Sinhala film version of the Leonard Woolf novel \u2018The Village in the Jungle\u2019. The colour film was released in 1980.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Beddegama\u2019 had artistes like Joe Abeywickrema, Malani Fonseka, Henry Jayasena, Trilicia Gunawardena, Nadeeka Gunasekara and Tony Ranasinghe starring in it. Vijaya Kumaratunga played the character of Babun, which was in a sense the lead role. Peries in \u2018Lester on Lester\u2019 had this to say \u2013 \u201cVijaya Kumaratunga played Babun. There was the famous seduction scene which is really rape by consent, which I knew that Vijaya and Malani would do. Although that particular scene was badly cut here, it was really played with hardly any clothes on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

These then were the three films of Lester that Vijaya acted in. Even though the opportunity of being launched in films by Lester James Peries was missed by Vijaya, his career did take off after the releases in 1969 of \u2018Hantane Kathawa\u2019 and \u2018Romeo Juliet Kathawak\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sugathapala Senerath Yapa\u2019s \u201cHanthane Kathawa\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Initially Vijaya had been reluctant to audition for \u201cHantane Kathawa\u201d. It was his sister -in \u2013 law who encouraged him to try and provided bus fare to Bambalapitiya. When Vijaya arrived at the interview venue, he saw a huge crowd of aspirants. Thinking he would not stand a chance, Vijaya decided to return home after drinking tea at a caf\u00e9. He saw sme friends there who persuaded him not to return without being interviewed. They told him he would be selected. Vijaya returned, was interviewed and selected. The interview board was headed by the director Sugathapala Senerath Yapa. Dhrmasena Pathiraja was on the panel too. When the film was shot on location in Kandy and Peradeniya, Vijaya stayed with Pathiraja in a campus dormitory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya acted in many entertainment-oriented, commercially successful \u201cformula films\u201d as well as critically praised artistic films. TheDirectors with different film making sensibilities like Sugathapala Senerath Yapa, G.D.L. Perera, Lester James Peries, Sumitra Peries, Vasantha Obeyesekere, Dharmasena Pathiraja, Sunil Ariyaratne, Tissa Abeyesekera and Titus Thotawatte, along with directors like Neil Rupasinghe, Lenin Moraes, Timothy Weeraratne, Yasapalitha Nanayakkara and a host of others helped make a successful star out of Vijaya Kumaratunga.<\/span><\/p>\n

Movies of different genres such as \u2018Ahas Gawwa\u2019, \u2019Diyamanthi\u2019, \u2018Eya den Loku Lamayek\u2019, \u2018Para Dige\u2019, \u2018Bambaru Avith\u2019, \u2018Maruwaa Samaga Waase\u2019, \u201dKarumakkarayo\u201d,\u201dGanga Addara\u201d, \u2018Kadapathaka Chaya\u2019 and \u201cKrishtu Charithaya\u201d as well as those like \u2018Hathardenama Soorayo\u2019, \u2018Thushara\u2019, \u2018Pembara Madhu\u2019, \u2019Sangeetha\u2019 and \u2018Monarathenna\u2019 contributed in different ways to create the brand name Vijaya Kumaratunga.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sinhala Cinemagoers Embraced Gamini and Vijaya<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Gamini Fonseka was the superstar of Sinhala cinema for many years. After Gamini came Vijaya. Both were appreciated and loved by the discerning filmgoer as well as the average film fan. Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara writes of this phenomenon thus \u2013 \u201cPrior to the arrival of Vijaya on the silver screen, Gamini Fonseka, the superstar of Sinhala cinema, had constructed the image of a brave and passionate young hero. As an alternative, Vijaya invented a carefree, debonair, romantic lover. Sinhala cinemagoers warmly embraced them both.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"elanka\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga (9 October 1945-16 February 1988)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga blazed a successful trail in Sinhala cinematic skies for two decades. As his involvement in politics began increasing he began to decrease the time devoted for films. Despite the popularity and wealth he gained through cinema, Vijaya was willing to sacrifice those for the sake of the country and its people. It was his patriotism and the fervent desire to work for the betterment of the nation that propelled Vijaya into playing an active role in politics. Ultimately it was \u201cpolitics\u201dthat ended his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga was shot dead in cold blood on 16 February 1988. He was standing near the front gate of his Kirulapone residence on Polhengoda road and talking to an acquaintance when the assailants travelling in a two-wheeler struck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya was shot twice in the back and fell to the ground. The gunman then got off the motorcycle pillion and walked up to Vijaya, who was lying motionless, and pumped more bullets into his head and face. Thus ended the life of a charismatic leader who may very well have altered the destiny of this nation if he was not cruelly killed at the age of 42.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chandrika\u2019s Clenched Fist Salute<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Vijaya Kumaratunga\u2019s funeral was held on February 21st 1988 at Independence Square<\/strong>. A record crowd attended it. One can still remember the emotionally powerful moment when\u00a0Chandrika bade farewell to her husband and comrade with upraised hands giving a clenched fist Salute!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The memory of Vijaya Kumaratunga remains evergreen still<\/strong>. He is sorely missed by many people including this writer at the present juncture where stormy weather is threatening to destroy democratic freedom and ethnic harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n

DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at\u00a0dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is n updated version of an Article written for the DBS Jeyaraj Column in the \u201cDaily Mirror\u201d of\u00a0February 15, 2020. It can be accessed here:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n


\nClick here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox!<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Memoriam: Vijaya Kumaratunga Source:Thuppahis DBS Jeyaraj in 2022 at\u00a0https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=67620\u00a0where the title reads \u201cVijaya Kumaratunga: Charismatic Actor-Politician May Have Changed Nation\u2019s Destiny\u201d \u2026\u2026\u00a0Posted by\u00a0Administrator\u00a0on\u00a021 February 2022, 1:11 am The political landscape of Sri Lanka seems gloomy and desolate. Most of the actors who strut about the political stage posing as visionaries and leaders are in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":156787,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[81191,38403,81192,33801,81189,36439,81193,81190,48946,38404,42555],"class_list":{"0":"post-156786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-along-with-directors-like-neil-rupasinghe","9":"tag-dharmasena-pathiraja","10":"tag-lenin-moraes","11":"tag-sinhala-cinema","12":"tag-sriyani-amarsena","13":"tag-sunil-ariyaratne","14":"tag-timothy-weeraratne","15":"tag-tissa-abeyesekera-and-titus-thotawatte","16":"tag-vasantha-obeyesekere","17":"tag-vijaya-kumaratunga","18":"tag-yasapalitha-nanayakkara","19":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"\nIn Memoriam: Vijaya Kumaratunga<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The political landscape of Sri Lanka seems gloomy and desolate. 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