# Somapala Dharmapriya

Somapala Dharmapriya (29 September 1940 – 14 September 1992) (Sinhala: සෝමපාල ධර්මපි‍්‍රය), was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema as well as a cinematographer.

## Personal life

Fernando was born on 29 September 1940 in Jaffna even though lived in Moratuwa. He was educated at Lakshapathiya Student College, Moratuwa, Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa and Hunumulla Central College.
In March 1990, he suffered from a malignant cancer of the tongue. Doctors had his tongue amputated and underlying teeth were also removed. He could not speak and quit from cinema. There was also a film festival conducted by Lester to help him. In the final days, he only depend on melted food. He died on 14 September 1992 at the age of 51. He was married to Princy de Silva.

## Career

In 1956 he entered cinema as a child artist with the film Rekava directed by Lester James Peries with the role "Sena". Because he spent six months in Alawwa, Bandarawela and Kelaniya for about a month for filming, he lost the school and then attended to another school. He was highly popularized with the film. After that film, Dharmapriya acted in several commercially successful films directed by Lester, including Delovak Athara, Desa Nisa and Gehenu Lamai. However, he preferred to study cinematography and the technical side of cinema. Then, he studied cinematography under Willie Blake and worked as an assistant cinematographer in the films Gamperaliya and Delowak Athara.
His maiden cinematography came through the film Adarawanthayo directed by Amaranath Jayathilake. He was the chief cinematographer in the films Pem Kurullo, Bonikka, Mawubima Nathnam Maranaya, Adara Kathawa, Salambak Handai, Salli Thibunata Madi and Mawubime Weerayo.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Roles |
| 1956 | Rekava | Sena |
| 1966 | Delovak Athara | Martin |
| 1679 | Ran Salu | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1968 | Golu Hadawatha | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1968 | Adarawanthayo | Cinematographer |
| 1969 | Baduth Ekka Horu | Cinematographer |
| 1969 | Bakmaha Deege | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1971 | Abhirahasa | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1975 | Pem Kurullo | Cinematographer |
| 1975 | Desa Nisa | Shirtless villager. Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1976 | Madol Duwa | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1978 | Seetha Devi | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1978 | Gehenu Lamai | Cyclist. Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1978 | Veera Puran Appu | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1978 | Ahasin Polawata | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1980 | Kinduru Kumari | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1981 | Tarzan, the Ape Man | Camera Operator |
| 1982 | Hello Shyama | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1983 | Bonikka | Cinematographer |
| 1983 | Kaliyugaya | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1985 | Adara Kathawa | Cinematographer |
| 1985 | Mawubima Nathnam Maranaya | Cinematographer |
| 1985 | Yuganthaya | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1987 | Sathyagrahanaya | Cinematographer |
| 1988 | Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1991 | Salambak Handai | Cinematographer |
| 1991 | Awaragira | Assistant Cinematographer |
| 1993 | Juriya Mamai | Cinematographer |
| 1994 | Mawubime Veerayo | Cinematographer |
| 2000 | Hansa Vilapaya | Cinematographer |