Sanath Gunathilake

Sanath Gunathilake
සනත් ගුණතිලක
Born
Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake

(1955-10-27) 27 October 1955
Kandy, Sri Lanka
EducationKingswood College
OccupationActor
Years active1980–present
Known forAravinda in Viragaya
SpouseJanaki Wijerathne (m. 2025; sep. 2026)
Parents
  • Hector Gunatilake (father)
  • Grace Goonetileke (mother)

Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake (Sinhala: සනත් ගුණතිලක; born 27 October 1955), popularly known as Sanath Gunatilake, is a Sri Lankan actor, director, screenwriter and former politician. Known for his versatility across multiple genres, he has had a career in the Sri Lankan film industry spanning over four decades. Gunatilake served as a member of the Western Provincial Council as a member of the United National Party and later held the position of media head for President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Early life

Gunatilake was born on 27 October 1955 in Mulgampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka, into a middle-class family. His father, Hector Gunatilake, was a lawyer, and his mother, Grace Goonetileke, was a teacher. He has stated that his father was an avid cinema enthusiast, which influenced his early interest in the arts. Gunatilake received his education at Kingswood College, Kandy.[1]

Gunatilake initially worked as a chemistry teacher. He later moved to Colombo in search of new career opportunities, leaving behind his tuition classes in Kandy.[2]

Film career

Gunatilake made his film debut in 1978 with Situ Kumariyo,[3] directed by Vijaya Dharmasiri. However, before its release, his second film, Ganga Addara,[4] was screened, followed by Sathweni Dawasa.[5] After Situ Kumariyo, his next film, Vajira,[6] was released.

His breakthrough role came with Ganga Addara, directed by Sumitra Peries, which marked a turning point in his acting career. He later gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Aravinda in Viragaya, a performance that earned him Best Actor awards at every major film festival in Sri Lanka. Gunatilake has appeared in several notable films, including Kedapatha, Palama Yata, Doorkada Marawa, and Rajya Sevaya Pinisai.[2]

In addition to his more dramatic roles, Gunatilake appeared in several mainstream films alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga, Jeewan Kumaratunga, and Ranjan Ramanayake. His film credits include Koti Waligaya, Dinuma, Raja Wedakarayo, Nommara 17, Obatai Priye Adare, and Inspector Geetha.[2]

Personal life

In 2025 he was married to former actress and businesswoman Janaki Wijerathne. She is the vice president of Lyca Productions. They were separated in 2026.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearFilmRoleRef.
1980Ganga AddaraRanjith
1981Situ Kumariyo
VajiraNewton
Sathweni DawasaAlphonso
Sathkulu Pauwa
Saranga
Aradhana
Amme Mata SamawennaWasantha
1982Yahalu YeheliPujitharatne
Thani TharuwaTharanga
Ridee NimnayaRathnapala
Nawatha Hamu Wemu
Kiri Suwanda
Kele MalChandana
Chathu MadhuraSunil
1983Sivu Ranga Sena
Sister Mary
Kaliyugaya
1984Thaththai PuthaiSaliya
Shirani
BattiSuren Hamu[7]
Sathi PujaKapila
Sasara Chethana
Podi Ralahami
Maya
Maala Giravi
Dewani GamanaSaman
1985Vasity Kella
Mihidum SaluDoctor Senaka
Kiri Madu Wel
Chalitha Rangali
Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna
Araliya MalChandana
1986Prarthana
Maldeniye SimiyonJustin[8]
Mal WarusaJagath Weerasuriya
Koti Valigaya
DinumaSarath Jayathilaka
AvurududaDhanushka
1987ViragayaAravinda[9][10]
Thaththi Man Adarei
Randamwel
Raja WedakarayooRanjan
Obatai Priye AdareAmith
Mangala Thegga
Kawuluva
1988Satana
Rasa RahasakSanath / Wickrama
Chandingeth ChandiyaDharmadasa
1989Okkoma Rajavaru
Nommara 17Naatha
Kedapathaka ChayaPiyathilaka[11]
Sebaliyo Nimal
1990Pem Raja DahanaSargent Ranasinghe[12]
Palama YataWillie[13]
Madhu SihinaSuraj
Hodin Nathnam NarakinLokke
Dese Mal PipilaSumedha
1991Uthura DakunaSanath
Love In BangkokJagath
DhanayaAthula
[14]
Cheriyo DoctorChaminda Randenigala
1992Sisila Gini GaniHarris Makalanda
Sinhayangeth SinhayaMahesh
Sakkara Sooththara
Rumathiyai Neethiyai
Raja DaruwoSanath and his father (dual role)
Malsara DoniJanaka Perera
Kiyala Wedek Nae
1993Sasara Serisaranathek Oba Mage
Nelum Ha Samanmalee
Madara ParasathuSirithunga
Chaya
Bambasara Bisawu
1994Sujatha new
Mee Haraka
Hello My Darlin
Aathmaa
1995Vairayen Vairaya
Inspector Geetha
Cheriyo CaptainRahal
1996Veediye Veeraya
Sebae Mithura
Bawa Sasara
1997Duwata Mawaka Misa
1998Vimukthi
Eya Obata Barai
Dorakada MarawaPriyantha
2000Sanda YahanataJagath Hathurusinghe[15]
Rajya Sevaya PinisaiMinister Janaka Situbandara
Pem KekulaJerome[16]
Chakraayudha
2001Oba Koheda PriyeGeorge Madanayake[17]
2002Somy BoysSanath
AgnidahayaAmbanwala Rala
2003Wekande WalauwaGunapala
Sudu KaluwaraSeemon Fernando 'Mudalali'
Sakman MaluwaTissa
Le Kiri KanduluAsela
2004Kangalal Kaidhu SeiPratapIndian film
Selamuthu PinnaSanath Sir[18]
Randiya DaharaColonel Chanuka Hettiarachchi
Mille SoyaSagara
Diya Yata GindaraSampath Harischandra[19]
2005SulangaSenarathne
Asani WarshaMinister Sirimanne
Sudu Kalu Saha AluAssa Peter
2006NilambareNimal
AnjalikaClifford Imbulgoda
AmmawaruneDoctor
Naga KanyaSaman
2007Asai Man PiyabannaSapumal Senadheera
AganthukayaChief Minister Simon Galagedara
2008Rosa KaleMr. Sooriyabandara
Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai
Nil Diya YahanaMinister
Adaraye Namayen
SuperstarRanjith Bandara
Siri Raja SiriPrincipal
2009KanyaviJanaka
Ekamath Eka Rateka
Dancing Star
AlimankadaMajor Kiriella
Ali SurathalRathnayaka
2010UththaraMinister Niwanthudawa
Suwanda Denuna Jeewithecameo role
Mago Digo DaiMinister Sathyapala
Kawulu Dora[20]
Hadawatha Mal Yayai
2011SinhawalokanayaGam Muladani
King HuntherNayakathuma
GamaniMilitary Officer
Angara DangaraPrincipal Pathirana
2012Sihinaya Dige EnnaFather
2013DoniBandu
Ira Laga WadiSaliya
Super SixPreme, Sanath's brother
2014Samige Kathawa
ParapuraMinister Marasinghe
Kalpanthe SihinayakMapa
2015SinhayaMinister
Sinahawa AtharinWimal
PravegayaPolice Officer
2017Pani MakuluwoRanaweera
2019SangilePunchi Malli
Thiththa Aththa[21]
RushProf. Madugalle[22]
President Super StarJudge Daham Daranagama[23]
2021Wassane Sihinaya[24]
Uthuru Sulanga[25]
2023GuththilaMakkali[26]
Nattami Army
Rider
YugathraWilly Saparamadu
2024Ridee Seenu[27]
Kambilicameo
2025RaniLalith Athulathmudali
Mother Lanka[28]
2026Dharmayuddhaya 2Mangala Widanapathirana
2026Sura Detuwo[29]
2026Sooriya Sulanga
2026Monara Vilak
2026Adaraneeya Tharuwak
2026Kalpana
TBAPathikulaya †[30]
TBACricket Sadu †
TBATikiri Kumaruge Mulleriya Satana †

As a director

YearFilmRef.
2009Ekamath Eka Rateka
2015Sinahawa Atharin

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Sanath Gunathilake's epiphanies". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sanath Gunathilaka who did not die to bring 'Aravinda' to life". Silumina. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Sri, Wijaya Dharma (2 May 1981), Situ Kumariyo, Sanath Gunathilake, Malini Fonseka, Upali Attanayaka, retrieved 14 September 2025
  4. ↑ Peries, Sumitra, Ganga Addara (Drama, Musical), Vasanthi Chathurani, Sanath Gunathilake, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sumathi Films, retrieved 14 September 2025
  5. ↑ "Sathweni Dawasa - සත්වෙනි දවස - Sinhala Cinema Database". films.lk. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Vajira - වජිරා - Sinhala Cinema Database". www.films.lk. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "බට්ටි හරහා පෙන්නුම් කළේ පීඩාවට පත් දුප්පතුන්ගේ ජීවිතය". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "'Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  9. 1 2 "All about Viragaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  10. 1 2 "ලාංකේය සිනමාවේ ප්ලේටෝනියානු ප්‍රේම කාව්‍යය - "විරාගය"". mirrorarts.lk. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
  11. 1 2 "All about Kedapathaka Chaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "ඇය ඔබට බාරයි නිපදවූයේ අම්මා වෙනුවෙන්". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  13. 1 2 "All about the film "Palama Yata"". Sarasaviya. May 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "All about "Mahesh"". sarasaviya. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "A film off the beaten track". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  17. ↑ "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  18. ↑ "New faces in 'Salamuthu Pinna'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "CEL's first production: 'Diya Yata Gindara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  20. ↑ "'Kavulu Dora' opens for public". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  21. ↑ "The story of Walisinghe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  22. ↑ "Arrival of a filmmaker who owns the future". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "The presidential stage where four people are competing". Sarasaviya. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  24. ↑ "The Separating Time Cycle 'Wassane Sihinaya'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "The story of a young man in the south caught in the north wind". Sarasaviya. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  26. ↑ "Tale of Guththila becomes a cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  27. ↑ "The silver bells are finished". සරසවිය. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "මාතෘත්වයේ කැඩපත". Sarasaviya. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  29. ↑ "සුරලොවින් නරලොවට වඩිනා සුර දෙටුවෝ". sarasaviya.lk. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  30. ↑ "පතිකුලය සුබ මොහොතින් වැඩ අරඹයි". sarasaviya.lk. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
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