All about Vijaya Kumaratunga
Vijaya Kumaratunga was a well-known Sri Lankan film actor, playback singer, and politician. Vija’s full name is Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga, and he was born on October 9, 1945, and died on February 16, 1988. He was married to Chandrika Bandaranayake and had two children, Yashodhara Kumaratunga and Vimukthi Kumaratunga. In this article, we will talk all about Vijaya Kumaratunga’s life.
Vijaya Kumaratunga’s Early Life
Vijaya’s home town is Ja-Ela. His father was Kovilage Benjamin Kumaratunga, and his mother was Clara Beatrice Perera. Vijaya had three brothers and one sister.
- Sydney Kumaratunga
- Vivian Kumaratunga
- Rupa Kumaratunga.
Vijaya started his education at Seeduwa Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya; after moving to St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, for further education, he went to De Mazenod College, Kandana. For higher studies. After he finished his higher studies, he joined the Sri Lanka Police, but he did not stay much longer in the Police.
Personal Life
Vijaya Kumaratunga’s wife is Chandrika Bandaranayaka, the daughter of two former prime ministers, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike. After Vijaya Kumaratunga’s death, she became the president of Sri Lanka. They both have two children, Doubter and Son.
- Yashodhara Kumaratunga
- Vimukthi Kumaratunga
Vijaya Kumaratunga’s acting carrier
His first film was Hanthane Kathawa, in which he played the lead role of a university student named Bandu. This file was released in 1969. The film was directed by Sugathapala Senarath Yapa. Vijaya has appeared in films in Tamil, English, and Sinhala. The most famous file in Vijaya was Nombara 17.
Preethiraj Weeraratne produced Nommara 17, a Sinhala action thriller that was released in 1989 and was directed by Hemasiri Sellapperuma for Weeraratne Enterprises. Along with Mervyn Jayathunga, Freddie Silva, and Sabeetha Perera, the lead roles are played by Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilake, and Jeewan Kumaranatunga. Ernest Soysa composed the music. It successfully passed 200 days in theaters.
One of the most famous songs Vijaya Kumaratunga sang is Ganga Addara from the Ganga Addara film.
Movies The Vijaya Act
Year Film
1967
Manamalayo
1969
Romio Juliet Kathawak
Hanthane Kathawa
1970
Priyanga
1971
Ran Onchilla
Abirahasa
Kesara Sinhayo
Hathara Denama Surayo
Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo
Bindunu Hadawath
1972
Me Desa Kumatada
Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya
Vana Raja
Adare Hithenawa Dakkama
1973
Thushara
Hathdinnath Tharu
Dahakin Ekek
Hondama Welawa
1974
Susee
Ahas Gauwa
Duleeka
Sanakeliya
The God King
1975
Pem Kurullo
Sikuruliya
Lassana Dawasak
Sangeetha
1976
Pradeepe Ma Wewa
Vasana
Diyamanthi
Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai
Adarei Man Adarei
1977
Sakunthala
Hithuvoth Hithuvamai
Maruwa Samaga Wase
Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
Eya Den Loku Lamayek
Pembara Madhu
1978
Vishmaya
Kundala Keshi
Sandawata Ran Tharu
Anupama
Selinge Walawuwa
Bambaru Awith
Sally
Kumara Kumariyo
Ahasin Polowata
1979
Gahaniyak
Podi Malli
Hingana Kolla
Monarathenna
Eka Hitha
Nangooram
Akke Mata Awasara
1980
Raja Dawasak
Ganga Addara
Karumakkarayo
Kinduru Kumari
Para Dige
Tak Tik Tuk
Kanchana
1981
Beddegama [35]
Geethika
Anjana
Suriyakantha
Valampuri
1982
Yasa Isuru
Mihidum Sihina
Kiri Suwanda
Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
Maha Gedara
Kadawunu Poronduwa (New)
Newatha Hamuwemu
Paramitha
Bicykale
1983
Samanala Sihina
Sivu Rangasena
Pasa Mithuro
Sandamali
1984
Kokila
Jaya Sikurui
Binaree Saha Sudu Banda
Welle Thenu Maliga
Rana Derana
1986
Devuduwa
Peralikarayo
Jaya Apitai
Gimhane Gee Naade
Pooja
1987
Yugayen Yugayata
Yukthiyada Shakthiyada
Kawuluwa
Raja Wedakarayo
Ran Damwel
Obatai Priye Adare
Ahinsa
1989
Mamai Raja
Kadapathaka Chaya
Badulu Kochchiya
Nommara 17
Varadata Danduvam
Randenigala Sinhaya
1990
Dese Mal Pipila
Thanha Asha
Veera Udara
Madu Sihina
Christhu Charithaya
Saharawe Sihinaya
1991
Madhusamaya
1993
Soorayan Athara Veeraya
1994
Vijaya Geetha
Shakthi
1995
Hitha Honda Soorayo
1998
Aya Obata Barai
Political career
When Vijaya was younger, he was involved with the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP). He later became the Katana organizer for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which he joined. In 1977, Vijaya ran for the Katana district against Wijepala Mendis, but he lost.
Vijaya was the driving force behind the island-wide campaigns in 1980 and 1982 protesting the deprivation of Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike’s civic rights and Vijaya’s enthusiastic entry into SLFP politics. The J.R. Jayawardene regime treated him unfairly and locked him up for months without a trial as a suspected “Naxalite.” In a by-election in May 1983, Vijaya ran for the SLFP in the Mahara electorate and lost by a small margin.
He became the first national organizer of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), which fought for peace in the Sri Lankan Civil War and was founded on January 22, 1984. He ran for a by-election in Minneriya with his new party and came in second, behind the UNP candidate. This dropped his old party, the SLFP, to third place. The SLMP then ran for by-elections in Kundasale and Habaraduwa but failed to live up to expectations.
In 1986, Kumaranatunga visited Jaffna, then, at that point, constrained by the Freedom Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He met a number of LTTE youth leaders and local Tamil civilians at the Nallur Murugan Temple.
Vijaya Kumaratunga’s assassination
On February 16, 1988, Vijaya Kumaratunga, a well-known actor and politician, was fatally shot. The assailants struck while he was conversing with a friend while standing near the front gate of his Kirulapone residence on Polhengoda Road.
Vijaya was knocked to the ground after receiving two shots to the back. After that, the assailant got off the pillion rider of the motorcycle, approached Vijaya, who was lying motionless, and fired more shots into his head and face. So ended the life of a charismatic leader who, if he hadn’t been brutally killed at 42, might have changed the course of this nation’s history.
Conclusion
Even though Vijaya Kumaratunga’s brutal assassination occurred thirty years ago, the handsome actor-politician is still etched in the collective memory of his many admirers and followers. The dashing and debonair Vijaya captivated millions of moviegoers with his captivating screen performances over his more than two decades as a thespian.
FAQ
Who was Vijaya Kumaratunga?
Vijaya Kumaratunga was a Sri Lankan actor, singer, and politician who was born on February 14, 1945, and assassinated on February 16, 1988. He was known for his contributions to Sinhala cinema and his involvement in left-wing politics.
What were Vijaya Kumaratunga’s contributions to Sinhala cinema?
Vijaya Kumaratunga was a popular actor in Sinhala cinema and appeared in many films during the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his roles in socially relevant films that addressed issues such as poverty, inequality, and corruption.
What was Vijaya Kumaratunga’s political affiliation?
Vijaya Kumaratunga was a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and was a vocal critic of the government’s human rights record and its handling of the ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
How did Vijaya Kumaratunga die?
Vijaya Kumaratunga was assassinated on February 16, 1988, by a group of gunmen who opened fire on his car in Colombo. The motive behind his assassination is still unknown, but many believe it was politically motivated.
What is Vijaya Kumaratunga’s legacy?
Vijaya Kumaratunga is remembered as a talented actor and a charismatic political leader who stood up for the rights of the poor and marginalized. His assassination was a major loss to Sri Lanka’s cultural and political scene, and he continues to be celebrated by his fans and supporters.
Who killed Vijaya Kumaratunga?
Unknown
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