Ranjan Ramanayake

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title: "Ranjan Ramanayake" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1963-births", "deputy-ministers-of-sri-lanka", "living-people", "members-of-the-14th-parliament-of-sri-lanka", "members-of-the-15th-parliament-of-sri-lanka", "members-of-the-16th-parliament-of-sri-lanka", "members-of-the-sabaragamuwa-provincial-council", "people-from-negombo", "prisoners-and-detainees-of-sri-lanka", "sri-lankan-film-directors", "sri-lankan-male-film-actors", "sri-lankan-prisoners-and-detainees", "sri-lankan-roman-catholics", "united-national-party-politicians", "samagi-jana-balawegaya-politicians"] description: "Sri Lankan actor-politician (born 1820)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjan_Ramanayake" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Sri Lankan actor-politician (born 1820) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

Field	Value
name	Ranjan Ramanayake
honorific_suffix	Hon.
native_name	රන්ජන් රාමනායක
ரஞ்சன் ராமநாயக்க
constituency_MP1	Ratnapura District
parliament1	Sri Lanka
majority1	59,318 Preferential Votes
term_start1	22 April 2010
term_end1	26 June 2015
office2	State Minister of Highways and Road Development
term_start2	21 December 2018
term_end2	21 November 2019
president2	Maithripala Sirisena
primeminister2	Ranil Wickremesinghe
minister2	Kabir Hashim
constituency_MP	Gampaha District
parliament	Sri Lanka
majority	103,992 Preferential Votes
successor	Ajith Mannapperuma
term_start	1 September 2015
term_end	7 April 2021
office3	Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare
president3	Maithripala Sirisena
primeminister3	Ranil Wickremesinghe
minister3	S. B. Dissanayake
term_start3	4 September 2015
term_end3	26 October 2018
office4	Deputy Minister of Social Services & Live Stock
president4	Maithripala Sirisena
primeminister4	Ranil Wickremesinghe
minister4	P. Harrison
term_start4	21 January 2015
term_end4	17 August 2015
office5	Leader of the opposition of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council
term_start5	23 August 2008
term_end5	22 April 2010
birth_name	Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso
birth_date
birth_place	Negombo, Sri Lanka
nationality	Sri Lankan
party	United Democratic Voice (since 2024)
otherparty	Samagi Jana Balawegaya (2020–2024)
United National Party (before 2020)
relations	* Vijaya Kumaranatunga
residence	No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte.
alma_mater	Maris Stella College
occupation	Politician
profession	Actor
::

| honorific_prefix = | name = Ranjan Ramanayake | honorific_suffix = Hon.| native_name_lang = si | native_name = රන්ජන් රාමනායක ரஞ்சன் ராமநாயக்க | constituency_MP1 = Ratnapura District | parliament1 = Sri Lanka | majority1 = 59,318 Preferential Votes | predecessor1 = | successor1 = | term_start1 = 22 April 2010 | term_end1 = 26 June 2015 | office2 = State Minister of Highways and Road Development | term_start2 = 21 December 2018 | term_end2 = 21 November 2019 | president2 = Maithripala Sirisena | primeminister2 = Ranil Wickremesinghe | minister2 = Kabir Hashim | constituency_MP = Gampaha District | parliament = Sri Lanka | majority = 103,992 Preferential Votes | predecessor = | successor = Ajith Mannapperuma | term_start = 1 September 2015 | term_end = 7 April 2021 | office3 = Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment & Welfare | president3 = Maithripala Sirisena | primeminister3 = Ranil Wickremesinghe | minister3 = S. B. Dissanayake | predecessor3 = | successor3 = | term_start3 = 4 September 2015 | term_end3 = 26 October 2018 | office4 = Deputy Minister of Social Services & Live Stock | president4 = Maithripala Sirisena | primeminister4 = Ranil Wickremesinghe | minister4 = P. Harrison | predecessor4 = | successor4 = | term_start4 = 21 January 2015 | term_end4 = 17 August 2015 | office5 = Leader of the opposition of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council | term_start5 = 23 August 2008 | term_end5 = 22 April 2010 | birth_name = Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso | birth_date = | birth_place = Negombo, Sri Lanka | nationality = Sri Lankan | spouse = | party = United Democratic Voice (since 2024) | otherparty = Samagi Jana Balawegaya (2020–2024) United National Party (before 2020) | relations = * Vijaya Kumaranatunga

• Jeewan Kumaranatunga
• Chandrika Kumaratunga
• Carlo Fonseka | father = | residence = No D 4, MPP Housing Scheme, Madiwela, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. | alma_mater = Maris Stella College | occupation = Politician | profession = Actor | signature = | footnotes = | image =

Sadda Vidda Rajapakse Palanga Pathira Ambakumarage Ranjan Leo Sylvester Alfonso (born 11 March 1963) (රන්ජන් රාමනායක), popularly known as Super Star Ranjan Ramanayake, is a Sri Lankan actor, film director, singer, script writer and retired politician who appeared in a number of Sinhala language films. He is a former Member of the Parliament.

He served as the State Minister of Highways and Road Development from 2018 to 2019. He served as the Deputy Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development Under Good Governance in 2015 and Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare from 2015 to 2018. Ramanayake won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award in 2006 and won the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award four times. He has appeared in over 75 Sinhalese films in genres ranging from romance to action and comedies, starting his career appearing in theatre, stage and several television series.

Personal life

Ranjan was born on 11th March 1963 in Negombo, Sri Lanka. He is the youngest in the family of two children, son of Simon Alfonso, District Inspector at Sri Lanka Railways Department. He added 'Ramanayake' to his name as a reciprocation to filmmaker Somaratne Ramanayake, who helped him in establishing his film career as a lead actor.

In August 2019, he appeared in GCE A/L exam again after 1982 to pursue his later career as lawyer. On 27 December 2019, he went viral in the social media as he publicised his A/L results (2S & 1F). Subsequently, he also qualified to study law after obtaining A pass for General English, S passes for Political Science and Communication media studies despite failing in Christianity subject.

Cinema career

Ramanayake's first leading role was in the commercial film Jaya Kothenada but his first film was Christhu Charithaya by Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne, which was in a crowded scene and maintained his status as a commercial film star through the 1990s. Ramanayake has occasionally branched out into more serious roles such as in Lester James Peries' Awaragira but continues to be known for his commercial roles. In 1998, he won the Sarasaviya Award for the Best Upcoming Actor for the film Hima Gira. He continued to be the Popular Actor in Sarasaviya Festival since 2002 to 2016, with a record 14 times.

Recently, he has taken more control over his commercial film roles working as a director and screenwriter on the popular Parliament Jokes, One Shot and Leader, breaking box office records with these films and becoming one of the most successful leading actors and directors of Sinhala cinema. Bandu Samarasinghe and Tennyson Cooray are frequent co-stars of Ramanayake.

He has sung in several films including Jaya Kothenada, Naralowa Holman, Love in Bangkok and others. His song "Ran Samanala Joduwa Wage" was a well-received among other songs.

Ramanayake has acted in a few television serials.

Television serials

• Bhagya
• Charulatha
• Guru Geethaya
• Nil Mahanel
• Pitagamkarayo
• Senahesa Suvndhai
• Sagaraya Parada
• Sanda Kinduru
• Santhuwaranaya
• Sath Sanda Kirana
• Sudu Mal Kanda
• Ulamage Rathriya

Politics

Ramanayake was initially the electoral organiser of Katana in the Gampaha Electoral District before becoming the electoral organiser in Balangoda. In 2008, Ramanayake contested for the position of Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and became leader of the opposition of the council.

In 2010, he was elected to the district parliament in Ratnapura from the United National party (UNP) and was one of the most outspoken members of the parliament, working as a major opposition activist against the then-incumbent United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government. Ramanayake was later appointed as the UNP organiser of Divulapitiya in Gampaha. Ramanayake received highest number of preferential votes for the UNP in the Gampaha district during the 2015 parliamentary elections, receiving a total of 216,463 votes. He was reelected in 2020. However, he lost his seat in 2021 when he was sentenced to 6 years in prison for contempt of court.

Controversies

Arrest

A school teacher from Kandy accused Ramanayake of having swindled Rs. 1 million promising to marry her. Based on a complaint by the woman who accused, the Criminal Investigation Department arrested Ramanayake in 2010. On 4 January 2020, he was arrested for possession of a license-expired firearm and several adult content DVDs. He was released on bail on 5 January 2020 following the verdict from Magistrate court but was also banned from travelling overseas.

Alleged threat to talk show host

In 2010, it was alleged that Ramanayake verbally threatened Derana TV talk show host Dilka Samanmali over a segment of the Derana 360 talk show. Ramanayake allegedly called Samanmali's parents over the phone and accused her of causing disrepute to him during the programm. He had also allegedly warned the parents that harm may befall their daughter. Ramanayake denied the allegation, stating that he simply gave Dilka's father was a courtesy call. Ramanayake confirmed that he did call Dilka Samanmali's father and complained that his daughter held biased viewpoints which she expressed during her show.

Recordings leak

Ramanayake's telephone conversations with former CID director Shani Abeysekara and other high-profile figures including judges were leaked in the media after the police took custody of them. Several other telephone conversations were leaked by the police to the public as well and the recordings suggested that Ramanayake used the law in unlawful manner to benefit his government.

Contempt of Court

On 12 January 2021, Ramanayake was sentenced to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment on the basis of contempt of court regarding his comments on the corruption of the judiciary. As a result, Ramanayake lost his seat in parliament on 7 April 2021. On 26 August 2022, Ramanayake was granted a conditional presidential pardon by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Filmography

::data[format=table]

Year	Film	Role	Ref.
1987	Obatai Priye Adare	Sarath 'Malli'
1988	Ko Hathuro	Dancer
1988	Durga	Thug
1990	Jaya Kothanada
1990	Chandi Raja	Trade Union leader Ranjan
1990	Hima Gira
1990	Dese Mal Pipila
1990	Veera Udara
1990	Jaya Kothanada
1990	Christhu Charithaya
1991	Love In Bangkok	Jackson
1991	Ran Hadawatha
1991	Mama Obe Hithawatha
1991	Love in Bangkok
1992	Rajek Wage Puthek
1992	Salli Thibunata Madi
1992	Sakvithi Raja
1992	Chandi Rajina
1992	Sinhayangeth Sinhaya	Sanjaya
1993	Mawila Penevi Rupe Hade	John Jayapala
1993	Come O' Go Chicago	Wickremasinghe Mudiyanselage Ranjan Karunanayake
1993	Trishule	Ranjan
1993	Sandarekha	Ranjan
1993	Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1993	Juriya Mamai	David / Inspector Vijay
1993	Sura Veera Chadiyo	Ranjan
1994	Rajawansen Ekek	Vijay / Sugath
1994	Nohadan Landune
1994	Mawbime Veerayo
1994	Okkoma Hondatai	Kamal Jayasekara
1994	Hello My Darling
1995	Wairayen Wairaya	Detective
1995	Inspector Geetha	Dancer
1995	Awaragira	Priyankara Sathigala
1996	Naralowa Holman	Jonson 'Johnny' Salgadu
1996	Sathee
1996	Sura Daruwo
1996	Mal Hathai
1997	Surayo Wadakarayo
1997	Apaye Thappara 84000k
1997	Duwata Mawaka Misa
1998	Re Daniel Dawal Migel	Chandi Aiyya
1998	Mohothin Mohotha
1999	Ayadimi Sama	Ukku Banda
1999	Nagaran
1999	Bahu Bharya	Kapila
1999	Sathyadevi	Sathyajit Walisundara 'Sathyapala Wedisinghe'
2000	Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2	Chandi Aiyya
2000	Danduwama	Suranga
2001	Oba Kohida Priye	Priyantha
2001	Jonsun and Gonsun	Sanjay Ranasinghe
2001	Rosa Wasanthe	Akila Sannasgala
2002	Parliament Jokes	Lavaris 'Podi Eka'
2002	Pissu Double	Jackie
2003	Vala In London	Suranga
2003	Sundarai Adare	Murderer
2003	Pissu Trible	Gunda
2003	Yakada Pihatu	Romesh Jayawardena
2005	One Shot One	Vijaya 'One Shot'
2005	Alu Yata Gini
2006	Hiripoda Wassa	Cameo appearance
2006	Supiri Balawatha	Nishshanka
2006	Nilambare	Nirwan
2009	Leader	Leader
2009	Paya Enna Hiru Se	Suren and Suraj
2010	Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe	Cameo appearance
2011	Kiwwada Nahi Nokiwwada Nahi	Kalana
2012	Jeevithe Lassanai	Wishwa
2013	Sri Siddhartha Gautama	King Suddhodana
2013	Raja Horu	Mahesh
2014	Rupantharana	Moorthi
2014	Ranja	Ranja / Ranjan
2014	Parapura	Madhava / Suranimala
2015	Pravegaya	Office Manager
2016	Sinhaya	Weerasinghe 'Satyamithra'
2016	Maya 3D	Maya
2016	Hero Nero	Cameo appearance
2017	Dr. Nawariyan	Nirwan 'Nawariyan' Senanayake
2018	Yalu Malu Yalu 2	Cheruka Weerakoon
2022	The Game	Vijay
TBD	Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo	Ven. Kondadeniye Thero
::

As director

::data[format=table]

Year	Film
2002	Parliament Jokes
2005	One Shot
2009	Leader
2019	Dr. Nawariyan
TBD	O.I.C Gaddafi
::

Awards

| name = Ranjan Ramanayake | image = | caption = Ranjan 2016 Slim Nelson Awards get the 2 Awards. | wins = 28 | nominations = 28 | award1 = Slim Nelson | award1W = 15 | award1N = 15 | award2 = Sarasaviya | award2W = 9 | award2N = 9 | award3 = SIGNIS | award3W = 2 | award3N = 2 | award4 = Derana | award4W = 3 | award4N = 3 | }}

Ramanayake has won the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor Award 4 times.

• Sarasaviya – Lux Awards – Most popular Upcoming Actor – 1990.
• Sarasaviya – Most popular New Actor – 1990.
• Sarasaviya Awards – Most Popular Film – 2002.
• Sarasaviya Awards – Most Popular Actor – 2001– 2005.
• Sarasaviya Awards – Best Actor – 2006.
• Signis Salutation – 2007 – Creative Performance (Male)- Nilambare.
• Signis Salutation – 2010 – Creative Performance (Male)- Paya enna hiruse.
• Slim Nielsen Peoples Actor of the Year, for the 10th consecutive year in 2016, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023.
• Slim Nielsen Peoples Awards - for the 4th consecutive year in 2016. The Actor of the Youth Choice – 2013, 2014, 2015,2016, 2017.
• Sirasa Dancing Stars – Finalist Dancing Stars.
• 1st Derana Film Awards 2011 – Most popular Actor.
• 3rd Derana Film Awards 2015 – Most Popular Actor.
• 5th Derana Film Awards 2017 – Most Popular Actor.
• 8th Derana Film Awards 2022 – Most Popular Actor.

References

References

1. "This is new political culture – Ranjan". Sarasaviya.
2. Ramesh Uvais. (16 May 2005). "Will 'One Shot' be banned?". Wijeya Newspapers.
3. admin. (5 August 2019). "State Minister Ranjan sits for the A/L exam".
4. (28 December 2019). "Ranjan Ramanayake publicises A/L results – Sri Lanka Latest News".
5. admin. (27 December 2019). "Ranjan goes public with his A/L results".
6. "AL results: Ranjan qualifies to study law".
7. "Peoples' Hero". Sarasaviya.
8. (29 April 2016). "Ranjan Meets Rajini, Kamal, Shankar and Build an India Sri Lanka Cinematic Bridge.". Sundaytimes.lk.
9. "Bermin brings a rare tale". Sunday Times.
10. ""Sandakinduru": another love story". Sunday Times.
11. "Sanda Kinduru comes on screen". Sunday Times.
12. "'Santhuwaranaya' : A story of sacrifice". Sunday Times.
13. "'Sath Sanda Kirana' goes in search of a dancer wife". Sunday times.
14. "'Sudu Mal Kanda': A love story". Sunday times.
15. "'Ulamage Rathriya' reveals the country's past". Sunday times.
16. "Ranjan promises to deliver Sabaragamuwa in one shot". Leader Publications (Pvt).
17. Chandrika Perera and Suraj A. Bandara. (15 October 2010). "Ranjan Ramanayake arrested". Lake House.
18. (4 January 2020). "JUST IN: UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake arrested – Sri Lanka Latest News".
19. "Ranjan Ramanayake given bail {{!}} Daily FT".
20. (30 August 2010). "VIDEO:Ranjan threatens Dilka over Derana 360 programme". Ada Derana.
21. Ishtartha Wellaboda. "Ranjan Ramanayake denies threatening talk show host (n.d.)". Nation.lk.
22. "Ranjan's controversial telephone conversation with Shani Abeysekara revealed".
23. (8 January 2020). "Several more voice recordings of Ranjan Ramanayake leaked – Sri Lanka Latest News".
24. "Sri Lanka : MP Ranjan Ramanayake sentenced to 04 years of rigorous imprisonment".
25. "Sri Lanka jails former minister for saying judges are corrupt".
26. LBO. (2022-08-26). "Ranjan Ramanayake granted conditional presidential pardon".
27. (2022-08-26). "Sri Lanka president signs conditional pardon for ex MP Ranjan Ramanayake".
28. "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya.
29. ""Bahu Bhariya" cleared for adults". Sunday Times.
30. "'Sathyadevi' comes with a human touch". The Sunday Times.
31. "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times.
32. "'Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue". Sunday Times.
33. "'Parasathu Uyana' gets Udayakantha's touch". Sunday Times.
34. "Super Star of our cinema". Sarasaviya.
35. (2022-04-12). "Who will win this GAME?".
36. "Siritunga gives life to Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo". Daily News.
37. (22 August 2025). "කලකට පසු නදීශා හේමමාලී රිදී තිරයට: චන්දරේගේ වයිෆ් ළඟදීම". Sarasaviya.
38. (22 August 2025). "රන්ජන් රාමනායක OIC ගඩාෆි හදයි". Sarasaviya.
39. "10 years consecutive". Sarasaviya.

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