Jayalath Manoratne passes away

Award-winning actor and dramatist Jayalath Manoratne passed away early this morning following a brief illness. He was 71.

Manoratne who was born on June 12, 1948, opened his outstanding career as an actor with the stage play ‘Aspa Gudung’ in 1966 and followed it up with hundreds of others including Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s productions.

In a career spanning more than five decades, his contributions to theatre in creations like Sinhabahu, Maname, Mahasara, Dunna Dunu Gamuwe, Rathu Hettakari, Naribena and others were remarkable.  He also produced his own plays like Thalamala Pipila, Puthra Samagama, Andarela, Guru Tharuwa, Mayadevi, Sudu Redi Horu and others.

He acted in award-winning films and teledramas, after having made his film debut with ‘Thilaka Saha Thilaka’ in 1976.

The characters he played in teledramas like Gamperaliya (Jinadasa), Doo Daruwo (Punsiri), Hiruta Muwawen, Manik Nadiya Gala Basee, Sindu Bindu, Gajaman Puwatha and hundreds of others will linger in our memories forever.

Funeral arrangements would be notified later. (Ramesh Uvais)

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