Vijaya Kumaratunga

Vijaya Kumaratunga

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.

Vijaya Kumaratunga's weeding

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 children's

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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