Cyril Wickramage is a Sri Lankan actor, director and singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.
Personal life
Wickramage was born in Kurunegala at the Kohila Gedera Hospital. He is the fifth sibling in the family with four brothers and four sisters. His father was a dancer and folk drummer in the village. At a young age he joined the army but later trained as a teacher at Peradeniya University. As a teacher, Wickramage received posts at Rathmalane Deaf School and Colombo Veseli School. While completing his diploma at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Wickramage was drawn to acting.
Drama career
Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play Muhudu Puththu, his maiden acting in stage dramas. He subsequently appeared in Devatha Eliya, Kuveni, Thavath Udasanak, Dawasak Wenas, Elowa Gihin Melowa Awaa, Kada Walallu, Pabawathi, Liyathambara, Natukkaraya, Wes Muhunu, Ahasin Watunu Minissu and Idama. On Sisira Senaratne's invitation, Wickramage made his debut as a film actor in 1965 with a supporting role in the film Handapana. His true breakthrough came however in 1967 with the role of Gunadasa in the groundbreaking Sath Samudura. The film was highly praised in Sri Lanka and swept the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art filmMokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee. In the late-60s, Wickramage began a successful collaboration with Vasantha Obeysekera and producer Dr. Linus Dissanayake. 1970 saw the release of the first Vasantha-Cyril-Linus film Ves Gaththo. Dealing with such issues as alienation among rural youth, the film was expanded upon with Walmath Wuvo in 1976. Cyril made his first foray into directing with Dr.Linus in 1972 making Sihina Lowak which he also starred in. The film produced the popular song "Ma Mala Pasu Sohon Kothe" sung by W. D. Amaradeva. Wickramage was a favorite of Dharmasena Pathiraja, appearing in almost all of his films including Ahas Gauwa, Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Bambaru Awith, Soldadu Unnahe. The role in Bambaru Awith in particular was a major role for Wickramage. Other major directors that used Wickramage include Tissa Abeysekera and Dharmasiri Bandaranayake. Wickramage has expanded into television work with roles in Numba Nadana Senehelatha, Palingu Manike, Andukole, Mihikathage Daruwo, Saapa Nokaraw Daruwane, Gauwen Gauwa and Alle Lange Walauwa.
