Piyadasa Wijekoon

Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Piyadasa (22 October 1940 – 9 February 2003 as පියදාස විජේකෝන්) was a Sri Lankan stunt and character actor. His career spanned over 42 years with 140 films and he played a wide variety of roles in that time.

Personal life Wijekoon attended Narahenpita Vidyawardena School. His son Priyantha Wijekoon is also an actor.

Acting career He made his film debut uncredited in a song sequence of the film Sirakaruwa in 1957. He got his first major role in A. S. Nagarajan's Purusha Ratnaya (1959) playing the brother of the heroine. It was Nagarajan who suggested he stylize his name as 'Piyadasa Wijekoon'.

After Nagarajan, Robin Tampoe took Wijekoon under his wing and began giving him roles in his films. Under Tampoe's guidance Wijekoon shaved his hair and played a villain for the first time in Suhada Divi Piduma (1961). This role proved popular and Wijekoon was flooded with villain roles from then on. Some of his popular stage dramas include Siwamma Dhanapala, Apuru Yahaluwo and Manape.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, Wijekoon's performances in films revolved around playing henchman and thug type characters who got into and lost fights with the hero. A notable exception was Siripala Saha Ranmenike where he played a positive character though still at odds with the anti-hero Ravindra Randeniya.

In the 1980s and 1990s as he grew fatty and older Wijekoon began to take comedic roles and stopped doing fighting roles.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1957 Sirakaruwa Dancer 1959 Purusha Rathnaya Samarasinghe 1959 Ma Ale Kala Tharuniya 1961 Suvineetha Lalani 1962 Suhada Divi Piduma Jimmy 1962 Sudu Sande Kalu Wala Bald Thug 1964 Samaje Api Okkoma Samanai Samson 'Punchi Hamu' 1964 Sulalitha Sobani Jayasekara 1965 Sudo Sudu Army joiner 1965 Landaka Mahima 1966 Segawena Sewanella 1966 Kolamba Hadayo Suraweera 1966 Mahadenamuththa Egg offerer 1966 Kinkini Paada 1966 Sampatha 1966 Senasili Suwaya Mistaken good samaritan 1966 Akka Nayo 1968 Wahal Dupatha 1968 Baduth Ekka Horu Nambiyar's boss 1969 Mee Masso 1969 Pickpocket Dharme's foe 1969 Pancha 1970 Ohoma Hondada 1971 Pujithayo Vijay 1971 Davena Pipasa 1971 Kathuru Muwath Murdered cashier 1971 Abhirahasa Opening antagonistic bargoer 1971 Kesara Sinhayo Vijay 1971 Seeye Nottuwa 1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Security Guard 1972 Ada Mehemai Home money offerer 1972 Hathara Wate 1972 Ihatha Athmaya Piya 1972 Miringuwa 1973 Aparadhaya Ha Danduwama 1973 Thushara Vijay henchman 1973 Hondama Welawa 1973 Sunethra 1973 Hondai Narakai 1973 Dahakin Ekek Sam 1974 Duleeka 1974 Dinum Kanuwa 1974 Surekha 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Somey 1974 Lasanda Henchman 1974 Onna Babo Billo Enavo Bubamba 1974 Rodi Gama Game Adiriya 1975 Gijulihiniiyo Mahathun 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Dougie 1975 Obai Mamai Dougie 1975 Awa Soya Adare Hamu 1975 Sukiri Kella Piyadasa Mudalali 1975 Cyril Malli 1975 Ranwan Rekha 1975 Damayanthi 1975 Sadhana 1975 Hadawatha Wasanthaya 1975 Sangeetha 1976 Pradeepe Ma Wewa 1976 Nayana 1976 Kawuda Raja Finale Sena fighter 1976 Loka Horu 1976 Haratha Hathara 1976 Asha 1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Swami 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa Vijay 1977 Chin Chin Nona 1977 Honda Hitha 1977 Siripala Saha Ranmenika Inspector Wijekoon 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Eidiris 'Mudalali' 1977 Tom Pachaya Rupasena 'Edward Rajakaruna' 1977 Niwena Ginna 1978 Sithaka Suwanda Lilly's Suitor 1978 Vishmaya Andiriya 1978 Kundalakeshi Sathruka's man 1978 Tikira Somey 1978 Anupama Robbery victim 1979 Raja Kollo Dharme's man 1979 Muwan Palessa Gobira 1979 Monarathenna Hurathala 'Mama' 1979 Akke Mata Awasara Piyadasa 1979 Rosa Mal Thunak Mahadana Mutha 1979 Sawudan Jema 1979 Subhani 1979 Nuwan Renu Tamil gardener 1980 Anuhasa 1980 Sinhabahu 1980 Api Dedena 1981 Valampuri 1981 Eka Dawasak Ra Roland 1981 Amme Mata Samawenna Loku Hamu 1982 Sudu Ayya Sarath's father 1982 Eka Diga Kathawak 1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak 1982 Sithara 1982 Thakkita Tharikita 1982 Newatha Hamuwemu Gang leader 1983 Sasara Wasana Thura 1983 Sumithuro Simon 1983 Chandi Siriya 1983 Hithath Hondai Wadath Hondai 1984 Veera Madduma Bandara 1984 Kokila Piyadasa 1984 Muthu Menike 1984 Kekille Rajjuruwo 1984 Namal Renu 1984 Ara Soyza Vadigapatuna 1988 The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck Panang Chief 1988 Ko Hathuro 1988 Newatha Api Ekwemu 1989 Mamai Raja Ranjith's Advisor 1989 Sinasenna Raththaran 1990 Sambudu Mahima 1990 Walawwe Hamu 1990 Chandi Raja 1990 Honda Honda Sellam Inspector Koon 1991 Uthura Dakuna 1991 Raja Kello 1991 Raja Sellan 1991 Lave In Bangkok 1991 Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha 1991 Suwadena Suwayak 1992 Sakvithi Raja 1992 Chandi Rejina 1992 Sinha Raja 1992 Sathya 1993 Chaya Maya 1993 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na 1993 Juriya Mamai Victor 1994 Nohadan Landune 1994 Sujatha Driver 1995 Wasana Wewa 1995 Vijay Saha Ajay Pushpa's father 1995 Chandiyage Putha Pancha 1996 Naralowa Holman Loku Mamma 1996 Mana Mohini Libuto 1996 Seema Pawuru 1997 Punaruthpaththia 1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k 1999 Kolompoor Lorry Munna

References

External links Sri Lanka Sinhala Films Database – Piyadasa Wijekoon