President Sirisena pays last respects to veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe
The man who rendered a yeoman service to the Sri Lankan Cinema industry through various avenues, Veteran Actor Tony Ranasinghe, was laid to rest on Friday, June 17. The funeral took place in Maththumagala, Mahabage.
Tony Ranasinghe, who passed away at 77, rendered great service towards the progress of the Sri Lankan cinema industry.
President Maithripala Sirisena paid his last respects after the body was moved to the Art Gallery on Friday morning. Veterans in the field, politicians and many others arrived to pay their last respects.
Tony Ranasinghe made his debut in acting through the Ranthodu stage drama. Later known as the Shakespeare of Sri Lankan Plays, the veteran actor brought world famous Shakespeare plays such as the Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar and Othello to life in Sri Lanka.
Tony Ranasinghe entered cinema in 1964 through ‘Gamperaliya,’ giving new life to the youth movement of this country. He also contributed to the productions of Delowak Athara, Parasathu Mal, Hanthane Kathawa, Duhulu Malak and Ahasin Polowata.
The veteran actor took to screenwriting with Koti Waligaya, which went on to win awards both locally and internationally.
The hit teledrama on Sirasa TV, Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni, also carried the genius of the late veteran as he was actively involved in its screenwriting.
Following the last respects at the Art Galley and a mass at the Sacred Heart church in Mattumagala, the veteran actor’s body was then taken to the Galudupita Roman Catholic cemetery for final rites.
Ranasinghe, who won the hearts of Sri Lankan viewers young and old for over five decades in the cinema industry, leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished for years to come.
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