# David Dharmakeerthi

Kalukapuge Don David (born 1 September 1913 – died 10 September 1987 as ඩේවිඩ් ධර්මකීර්ති), popularly known as David Dharmakeerthi was an actor Sri Lankan early Sri Lankan cinema.

## Personal life

He was born on 1 September 1913 in Kotigamgoda village, Padukka. His father Odiris Appuhami was a farmer. He started school at village school and then from Wonakal College, Padukka and finally to the English English School in Homagama. After school, Dharmakeerthi first joined the Department of Agriculture at Alston Place, Colombo as an overseer.
Dharmakeerthi was married to Nandawathi Jayasuriya. The couple has 5 sons and 3 daughters. He died on 10 September 1987 at the age of 74.

## Cinema career

In school times, he performed in a drama based on a novel "Rohini" written by Martin Wickremasinghe. There was a superintendent named Jasinghe in the Department of Agriculture where David worked. He saw Dharmakeerthi's acting skills in the dramas of the peasant army, who also produced the background music and art direction. Raja Tilakaratne, who was a Lake House Dinamina Journalist, is a relative of the superintendent Jasinghe. Jasinghe opened the cinema door to Dharmakeerthi. His first cinema acting came through 1953 film Sujatha directed by T. R. Sundaram. During his visit to the studio in India to film Sujatha, his father and friend T. Somasekaran both died.
He also worked as a film assistant director, dialogue writer and a story writer in 1958 film Salli Malli Salli. In this film he emerged as a character actor. In 1981, he acted in the film Aradhana as a merciful father. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 1982 Sarasaviya Awards. for that acting. This was the only award he received in 35 years of film career. He acted with his son Sarath Dharmakeerthi in the 1984 film Parasathuro.
His final cinema appearance came through 1988 film Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda directed by Sumitra Peries.

## Political career

His favorite political character was Philip Gunawardena. Dharmakeerthi contested for the Horana seat from the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna in the 1960 general election. However, he was placed third in the seat and received only 1555 votes.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1953 | Sujatha | Mudali |
| 1953 | Prema Tharagaya | |
| 1954 | Warada Kageda? | |
| 1955 | Seda Sulang | Sir Edward Palipana |
| 1958 | Salli Malli Salli | |
| 1958 | Vana Mohini | |
| 1959 | Sirimali | Galgedera Mudalali |
| 1960 | Pirimiyek Nisa | |
| 1960 | Sandesaya | Ekanayake 'Disawa' |
| 1961 | Suvineetha Lalani | |
| 1962 | Suhada Divi Piduma | Ranatunga |
| 1963 | Deepashika | Lucky's father |
| 1963 | Sudu Sande Kalu Wala | Ralahamy |
| 1963 | Gamperaliya | Kaisaruwaththe Muhandiram |
| 1964 | Kala Kala De Pala Pala De | |
| 1964 | Sithaka Mahima | |
| 1964 | Sulalitha Sobani | Danapala Mudalali |
| 1964 | Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe | Karolis 'Appu' |
| 1964 | Samaje Api Okkoma Samanai | |
| 1965 | Hathara Maha Nidhanaya | Keerthisena |
| 1965 | Landaka Mahima | |
| 1966 | Athulweema Thahanam | |
| 1966 | Mahadana Muththa | Mahadana Muththa |
| 1966 | Kapatikama | Mr. Fernando |
| 1966 | Seegiri Kashyapa | King Dhatusena |
| 1966 | Senasili Suwaya | Loku Unnahe |
| 1967 | Hathara Kendare | |
| 1967 | Iwasana Dana | |
| 1968 | Singithi Surathal | |
| 1968 | Akka Nago | |
| 1968 | Bicycle Hora | |
| 1968 | Indunila | |
| 1968 | Dehadaka Duka | Uncle |
| 1968 | Punchi Baba | Mala's uncle |
| 1969 | Kawuda Hari? | Mudalithuma |
| 1969 | Prewesamwanna | Mr. Basnayake |
| 1969 | Pancha | |
| 1971 | Kathuru Muwath | Don David Pathirana |
| 1972 | Hathara Wate | |
| 1972 | Lokuma Hinawa | Renuka's Pappa |
| 1972 | Ihatha Athmaya | Priyani's father |
| 1973 | Suhada Pathuma | Siriwardena |
| 1973 | Sinawai Inawai | Guru Sabha |
| 1973 | Sunethra | |
| 1975 | Kokilayo | |
| 1975 | Sadhana | |
| 1976 | Madol Duwa | Mudalali |
| 1978 | Veera Puran Appu | Gunnepana Arachchi |
| 1979 | Divi Thibena Thuru | |
| 1979 | Hari Pudumai | Mahathun |
| 1980 | Parithyagaya | Ralahamy |
| 1981 | Baddegama | Mudalithana |
| 1981 | Jeevanthi | |
| 1981 | Aradhana | |
| 1984 | Para Sathuro | Grand father |
| 1987 | Kiwulegedara Mohottala | Elderly Nilame |
| 1988 | Sagara Jala Madi Handuwa | Village Man |
| 1994 | Ahas Maliga | |