Jackson Anthony passes away

• Jackson leaves his wife and three children who are also involved in the field of art  
• Funeral arrangements will be notified later  

Renowned Sri Lankan artiste Jackson Anthony passed away yesterday at the age of 65.  He was receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Colombo National Hospital after an accident in Anuradhapura, hospital sources said.   

He was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital after his vehicle crashed against a wild elephant in Thalawa. There were two others with him. He was admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital on July 2, 2022.    

He was transferred five days later to the National Hospital in Colombo and received treatment at the ICU for more than 500 days. Though it was reported that he was kept for more than 500 days in the life support system, hospital sources said he was out of the system for some time and then had to get back to the machine as his condition deteriorated.   

Jackson who started his career as a stage drama actor appeared in a large number of stage plays including Madura Javanika, Marasad, Dawala Beeshana and Tharawo Igilethi. He was later involved in teledramas and became a household name for his role in the teledrama Palingu Menike which was telecasted in 1985. Jackson followed it up with a number of other teledramas such as Kadulla and Shushima. He exhibited his vocal skills in Shushima singing a duet with late Clarence Wijewardena. Jackson also acted in films including Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli, Sooriya Arana, Loku Duwa and Bawa Karama. He was also a TV presenter   

Jackson leaves his wife and three children who are also involved in the field of art. Funeral arrangements will be notified later.