# Damitha Abeyratne

Sedhavi Mudiyanselage Damitha Buddhini Abeyratne Bandara (Sinhala: දමිතා අබේරත්න; born 14 September 1975), popularly as Damitha Abeyratne, is a Sri Lankan film and teledrama actress.

## Career

She schooled at Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and St. Paul’s Girls School, Milagiriya. In 1987, she made her acting debut as an eight-year-old in the teledrama Passe Gena Manamali and later appeared in her first film Meeharaka directed by I. Hewawasam in 1993. However, she only played a significant role with Inoka Sathyangani's 2003 film Sulang Kirilli. This won her the Sarasaviya Best Actress Award, SIGNIS Best Actress Award and many other international awards. She was also won awards for the dramatic roles of Dandubasnamanaya television series and Mee Haraka film. Abeyratne played her debut role as director with the teledrama serial Sasara Sarani, where she was the producer as well. She also played the title role in Batti teledrama, which broadcast on ITN.

## Arrests and Controversies

In 2012, an intimate relationship between Abeyratne and Ven. Ruwanwelle Sobhitha thero was revealed after radio station Neth F.M. Balumgala broadcast several vulgar tapes of the alleged monk, trying to recruit a personal secretary.
In 2013, actress Semini Iddamalgoda sued Abeyratne for Rs 50 million having allegedly defamed her during an interview with a Ran F.M. radio channel. In 2014, Abeyratne demanded Rs. 100 million as damages from Iddamalgoda for allegedly defaming her. The case was taken at the Colombo District Court on 24 February 2014. On 14 October 2014, both withdrew their civil suits.
On 5 November 2015, she was asked to make a statement due to a complaint on fraud and corruption at Sri Lanka Airlines. She went to Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power and State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and made a statement regarding a irregularity in food supply for a show.
In 2022, Abeyratne was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for forcibly entering the presidents secretariat and obstructing the duties of the police officers during 2022 Sri Lankan protests.
In February 2024, musician Iraj Weeraratne unraveled a massaging scandal involving Abeyratne and two months later, Abeyratne and her spouse were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department facing charges related to a fraud amounting to Rs 3 million, falsely promising employment opportunities in South Korea.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1994 | Mee Haraka | Soma |
| 1999 | Mandakini | |
| 2003 | Sulang Kirilli | Rathi |
| 2007 | Nisala Gira | Poddi |
| 2008 | Adara Meena | Also as Playback singer. |
| 2009 | Ekamath Eka Rateka | |
| 2010 | Dakina Dakina Mal | Mandakini |
| 2010 | Sthuthi Nawatha Enna | |
| 2010 | Bambara Walalla | Kumari |
| 2010 | Ira Handa Yata | LTTE female cadre |
| 2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Sirimal Ethana |
| 2011 | Gamani | Crouched shooter |
| 2013 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | Punya's roommate |
| 2014 | Rupantharana | Radha |
| 2015 | Maharaja Gemunu | Rohini |
| 2015 | Pravegaya | Brando's wife |
| 2015 | Suhada Koka | Lady in queue |
| 2016 | July 7 | Damitha |
| 2016 | Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai | Roshan's Mother |
| 2016 | Maya 3D | Shantha's fiancée |
| 2019 | Jaya Sri Amathithuma | Mrs. Galigamuwa |
| 2020 | Seda Mawathe | Samanthi |
| 2022 | Hithumathe Jeewithe | Rasika |
| 2023 | Thattu Deke Iskole | |
| 2023 | Midunu Vishwaya | Dr. Mahadewa's wife |
| 2024 | Sihinayaki Adare | |
| 2024 | Sri Siddha | |
| 2025 | Ice Cream | |
| TBA | Bahuchithawadiya † | Kanthi |
| TBA | Elakandiye Marcus † | |
| TBA | Suvisi Vivarana † | |
| TBA | Rosa Kale Api Yan † | |

### Notable television works

* Ambu Daruwo
* Ammai Thaththai
* Anantha
* Apuru Sahodaraya
* Batti
* Bharyawo
* Bhavana - Thunkal Mayawa
* Bhavathra
* Chakrandi
* Dandubasnamanaya
* Depath Nai
* Deveni Athmaya
* Hada Pudasuna
* Hitha Langa Hinahuna
* Ingi Bingi
* Issaraha Gedara
* Jodu Gedara
* Kokila Ginna
* Kiripabalu Vila
* Nedeyo
* Nisala Diya Sasala Viya
* Nisala Vilthera
* Passe Gena Manamali
* Pata Sarungal
* Pork Veediya
* Prakampana
* Rathi Virathi
* Raththarana Neth
* Rejina
* Ridee Tharaka
* Sadisi Tharanaya
* Sahas Gaw Dura
* Salsapuna
* Sanda Dev Diyani
* Sandagira
* Sasara Sarani
* Senehewanthayo
* Sihinaya Wasanthayak
* Sikuru Wasanthe
* Situwarayo
* Sulanga Maha Meraka
* Sulangata Madivee
* Suwanda Obai Amme
* Swayanjatha
* Varana Kambili
* Wala Wettuwa
* Wansakkarayo

## Awards and accolades

She has won several awards at the local theater, television and film festivals.
* 2005 - Vishva Keerthi Award For Winning Two International Awards for film Sulang kirilli
* 2005 - Outstanding Young Personality Junior Chamber Sri Lanka for the contribution to the Art

### SIGNIS OCIC Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1995 | Dandubasnamanaya | Best Actress | Won |
| 2003 | Sulang Kirilli | Best Actress | Won |
| 2010 | Dakina Dakina Mal | Best Actress | Won |

### Swarna Sanka Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1995 | Mee Haraka | Best Supporting Actress | Won |

### Presidential Film Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2005 | Sulang Kirilli | Best Actress | Won |

### Sarasaviya Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1996 | Mee Haraka | Merit Award | Won |
| 2004 | Sulang Kirilli | Best Actress | Won |
| 2015 | Pravegaya | Best Supporting Actress | Won |

### Sumathi Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2006 | Keli Madala | Best Actress Award | Won |

### Dhaka International Film Festival

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2004 | Sulang Kirilli | Best Actress Award | Won |

### Tamil Nadu International Film Festival

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2004 | Sulang Kirilli | Best Actress Award | Won |

### Raigam Tele'es

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2012 | Swayanjatha | Best Actress | Won |