Manoratne no more

By Ramesh Uvais  

Award-winning actor and dramatist Jayalath Manoratne passed away early yesterday morning following a brief illness. He was 71.  

His remains now lie at Abeyratne Mawatha, Boralesgamuwa. Cremation will take place at the Boralesgamuwa General Cemetery on January 15 at 5 pm.  
Manoratne who was born on June 12, 1948, opened his outstanding career as an actor with the stage play ‘Aspa Gudung’ in 1966 and followed it up with hundreds of others including Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s theatre productions.  

In a career spanning more than five decades, his contributions to theatre in creations like Sinhabahu, Maname, Mahasara, Dunna Dunu Gamuwe, Rathu Hettakari, Naribena and others were remarkable. He also produced his own plays like Thalamala Pipila, Puthra Samagama, Andarela, Guru Tharuwa, Mayadevi, Sudu Redi Horu and others.  

He acted in award-winning films and tele dramas, after having made his film debut with ‘Thilaka Saha Thilaka’ in 1976.  

He played memorable roles in tele dramas like Gamperaliya (Jinadasa), Doo Daruwo (Punsiri), Hiruta Muwawen, Manik Nadiya Gala Basee, Sindui Bindui, Gajaman Puwatha and hundreds of others.   

pic by nisal baduge