Upul Shantha Sannasgala


Upul Shantha Sannasgala is a Sri Lankan novelist, Film Producer, songwriter, announcer and a Sinhala language teacher. He is best known for his controversial remarks on the civil war and ethnic relations in Sri Lanka.

Early Life and Education

He was born in Yahalabadda, a village in the hill town Haputale which is famous among hikers who visit Sri Lanka. He received his secondary education from Piliyandala Central College and Thurstan College in Colombo.
In an interview he describes that he was unable to enter the Law Faculty due to failing English language at GCE Ordinary level examinations. In the same interview he describes himself as one in fifty best novelists and one in 75 songwriters in Sri Lanka.

Career

Upul Shantha Sannasgala is a well known for conducting Sinhala language tuition classes for Advanced Level students. He is also active in many other fields as well.

Film Producer

Flying with one wing 2002
Adaraneeya Vassanaya 2004 Sinhala movie based on his novel

Political career

He ran for election in 2015 from the United National Party.

TV host

He hosted Land Mark Interview TV show on Derana TV channel where he interviewed many personalities.

Controversies

In August 2016, Upul Shantha Sannasgala and Powerhouse Pvt Ltd was ordered to pay Rs. 2.5 million each to film critic Ajith Galappathi for insulting him on 360 programme aired on Derana TV.
In 2017 he was widely criticized by people and media for asking to create a new life from a sperm of the diseased LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.