Cyril Wickramage

Who is Cyril Wickramage?

Cyril Wickramage is a critically acclaimed Sri Lankan actor, director and singer. Wickramage is known for participating mainly in artistic Sinhala films.

Wickramage was born in Kurunegala at the Kohila Gedera Hospital; 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.

Wickramage gained some prestige with his role in Gunasena Galpaththi's play "Muhudu Puththu". 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 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 sweeped the 1968 Sarasaviya Film Festival. Wickramage rounded up the 1960s with roles in the art film Mokade Vune and the popular Binaramalee.