Palitha Silva
Garanduwa Baarage Palitha Silva (born August 30, 1967 as ) [Sinhala]) is a Sri Lankan actor, dramatist, producer, director, scriptwriter and author. He started his career at 15 years of age when he was chosen to train at the esteemed Professor Solomon Fonseka's school of Acting. Silva has acted in more than 400 television serials and is best known for the roles in teledramas "Keetaya", "Deweni Inima" and titular character in the biographical film "Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano". He was awarded the honorific titles of "Maanava Hithavadee Keerthi Sri Veeraputra Deshabandu" in (June, 2019) and Kalaashubana Janaranjana Keerthi Sri  Deshamanya (July,2021) for his service towards Buddhism in Sri Lanka. He was also cast in the international film "Shadow of the Cobra" Starring Art Malik, Michael Woods and Arthur Dignam. Personal life. He is married to longtime partner, Namalee Silva. She is the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the Marketing Division of Sri Lanka Insurance. She went to Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo. Then Namalee graduated with a marketing degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London. She knew Palitha since 10 years of age. They both lived in the same village, Mount Lavinia and  both attended the same Dhamma School , Mount Lavinia Dhammodaya Dhamma School. Theater career. His entry to theater and drama came through Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's drama "Ekadhipathy". Winning his first state youth award for script writing, directing and acting in "Thawath ek wiroopiyek," at the young age of 16, in 1983, at 18 years old, he went on to act in Sri Lanka's most critically acclaimed stage drama "Sargent Nallathambi" alongside Nihal Silva. . Silva also studied and acted under the director ship of Helena Lehtimäki in her productions of Bertolt Brecht's Mr Puntila and his Man Matti and William  Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dreams." In 1988, Silva was nominated for the best actor award at the National State Drama festival for playing the character of "Estragon" in a production of Samuel Beckette's "Waiting for Godot." In 1994, Silva won the Best Actor Award at the State Drama festival for "Kaspa." In 1984, his maiden theater direction came through the play "Ballangen Pravesam Wenu"., the play gained much awards and accolades at the National Youth Drama festival. He also directed stage plays for many schools such as Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He  has also worked with many British and German dramatists. After 28 years, he directed another stage play called "Circus Karayo", which was first present at Lionel Wendt Theater on 31 July 2012. Television career. In 1998, Silva directed the tele film, "Amuththek Awith" which won awards. In 2000, he directed "Thrasthawadinge Ghathanaya" for Swarnavahini. He became more popular through the drama mystery television serial "Keetaya" which was telecasted on Independent Television Network. Currently, he acting in the soap opera "Deweni Inima" as cricket coach. Beyond acting. He worked as the Workshop director of The Young Learners' Center at the British  Council. He stated that his greatest ambition is to be a writer. He has published two novels, "E Deegeka Giyaya" in 1998 and the "Athek Barata Henduvak" on 8 October 2004. He also works as director, scriptwriter and a lecturer on cinematography. Filmography. Silva started his film career with "Kawuluwa" in 1987, directed by Jackson Anthony with a minor role. His most popular cinema acting came through films "Sir Last Chance", "Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano" and "Maharaja Ajasath". The role in "Maharaja Ajasath" as Arahat Devadatta was highly praised by the critics. Awards and accolades. He has won several awards at  the local stage drama festivals and television festivals, both for acting and direction.