# Lal Kularatne

Mahathanthilage Lal Kularatne (born May 5, 1949 as ලාල් කුලරත්න) [Sinhala]), popularly as Lal Kularatne, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Kularatne is best known for the role Liyana Mahaththaya in Ethuma teledrama and role Adiriyan in Batti teledrama.

## Personal life

He completed his education from Vidyarathna University College, Horana. He passed A/L examination through commerce stream and was able to enter the university. She is married to Sriyani Perera, who is the elder sister of popular actress Devika Mihirani. Devika is married to popular artist, late Vijaya Nandasiri. He was a teacher by profession until fired due to lengthy vacation took for a stage drama showed in abroad in 2004. The couple has two sons - Awantha, Hirantha, and two daughters - Arundathi, Sanduni.

## Acting career

At the school, his teacher was popular veteran artist Hemasiri Liyanage. Kularatne started acting under his guidance along with his classmates such as Dharmasiri Bandaranayake and Douglas Siriwardena. His maiden stage drama appearance came through Rathu Hattakari directed by Lucien Bulathsinhala. Then he acted in Nariya Saha Keju, where he met his future wife.
His television drama career started with Sirisa Kothalawala's Mora Giri Gamana. His most popular television acting came through comedy roles in Batti and Ethuma. According to critics, his best teledrama acting came through Sasara Sakman, which is still did not televised.

### Selected stage dramas

* Rathu Hattakari
* Thalamala Pipila
* Nariya Saha Keju
* Guru Tharuwa
* Socrates

### Selected television serials

* Batti as Adiriyan
* Bhavana - Akala Rathriya
* Doratu Rakinno
* Eheth Ehemai
* Ethuma 1, 2 as Liyana Mahaththaya
* Girikula
* Husma Saha Oxygen
* Jeewithaya Athi Thura
* Katu Imbula
* Kolamba Italiya
* Ilandariyo
* Mathi Nethi Daa
* Medi Sina
* Mehew Rate
* Naana Kamare
* Nagenahira Weralin Asena
* Nethu
* Nil Ahasa Oba
* Nisala Vila
* Palingu Piyapath
* Paththara Gedara
* Rahai Jeewithe
* Sansararanya Asabada
* Theertha Tharanaya
* Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana
* Tikiri and Ungi

## Beyond acting

He is a member of Sri Lanka Freedom Party political party. On 20 July 2016, he was summoned to appear before Presidential Commission of Inquiry in order to record a statement pertaining to an investigation over allegedly obtaining vehicles on lease belongs to State Engineering Corporation.

## Filmography

Kularatne started his film career with Paradeesaya back in 1991, directed by Linton Semage with a minor role. His most popular cinema acting came through films Walapatala, Suhada Koka and Sikuru Hathe.
Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1991 | Paradeesaya | |
| 1998 | Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli | Padmey's associate |
| 1998 | Anthima Reya | |
| 1999 | Padadaya | |
| 2001 | Kinihiriya Mal | Kavi Mudalali |
| 2003 | Sudu Kaluwara | Heen Manike's father |
| 2007 | Sikuru Hathe | |
| 2008 | Walapatala | Sergeant Banda |
| 2010 | Uththara | |
| 2015 | Suhada Koka | Liyana Mahaththaya |
| 2019 | President Super Star | Reporter |
| 2024 | Sihina Nelum Mal | Lal |

## Awards

He has won many awards at many local film and television award festivals. He won the award for the Best Supporting Actor in State Drama Festival for the role in Thalamala Pipila. He was under the custody for some political disputes at that moment, where his wife took the award in the festival.

### State Drama Festival Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| | Thalamala Pipila | Best supporting actor | Won |

### Unda Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| | Nagenahira Weralin | Best supporting actor | Won |

### Sarasaviya Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2015 | Suhada Koka | Merit Award | Won |

### Sumathi Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | Theertha Tharanaya | Merit Award | Won |