Wilson Gunaratne

Wilson Gunaratne (born March 9, 1949, as විල්සන් ගුණරත්න [Sinhala]) is an actor and comedian in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. He is most notable for the role of Kodithuwakku in television comedy sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni and stage drama Charitha Atak. It is the only stage play in Sri Lanka in which one actor portrays eight different characters with eight different voices.

Acting career
At that time when he was working in an executive position in the field of hotel management, Gunaratne met Tony Ranasinghe through his elder brother. Under his guidance, Gunaratne played a minor role in a scene shot in the hotel premises for a film. Then Tony nominated Gunaratne for the role of the 'Duke' in Shakespeare's translation stage play Veniciye Welenda directed by playwright Bandula Vithanage. The play marked the turning point of his acting career. Later he performed in two of Vithanage's plays: Sakala Jana, Muhuṇu Dekak. Meanwhile, he did a scientific study of comedy at IFT, an affiliate of the University of Noida, New Delhi.

He was introduced to teledrama under the guidance of former parliamentary translator and actor Alfred Perera. Alfred has worked in China and the Philippines Radio. He invited Gunaratne to the orchestra for the popular television serial Vinoda Samaya program aired by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He was the drummer of that program. His maiden cinema acting came through film Samuganimi Ma Samiyani directed by his elder brother. Then he got a chance to play in his brother's second directed film Sasaraka Pethuma.

Gunaratne was highly popularized with the television sitcom Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni through the character Kodithuwakku. In the meantime, he acted in the serial Sathpura Wasiyo with the role "Pappa" which made his hallmark in drama career. Apart from that, he produced a political comedy stage drama titled Charitha Hathak, which was later updated into Charitha Atak. Since its opening, Charitha Hathak has completed 37 shows within eight months. His seven characters include, Kodituwakku from "Nonava-runi Mahatvaruni", Pappa, Prof. Pragnaratne, Transport Teacher Mr. Bastian, Prof. Marenzie (Italian).

In 1998, he made first directorial debut with the television political satire Kodivinaya telecast by ITN.

Selected stage dramas

 * Charitha Hathak
 * Charitha Atak

Selected television serials

 * Bhavana - Amuttha
 * Charitha Dekak
 * Hathara Wate
 * Kinihiraka Pipi Mal
 * Kodivinaya
 * Kiyadenna Adare Tharam
 * Kula Kumariya
 * Kulavilokanaya
 * Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni
 * Kathura
 * Sadisi Tharanaya
 * Vinivindimi
 * Willy King Show
 * Yes Madam

Filmography

 * No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.