{{short description|Sri Lankan filmmaker}} {{Infobox person | name = Bennett Rathnayake<br/>බෙනට් රත්නායක | other_names = | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = 24 October | birth_name = | birth_place = Matale, Sri Lanka | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | education = | years_active = 1986–present | alma_mater = University of Moratuwa | spouse = Samanmalee Hawapanna | children = 3 <small>including Udara Rathnayake</small> | awards = | father = | mother = | signature = | website = | footnotes = | occupation = Actor, director, producer, screenwriter }}
'''Bennett Rathnayake''' ({{langx|si|බෙනට් රත්නායක}}; born 24 October), is a filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema and a television director.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boondi.lk/article.php?ArtID=1272 | title=Not about "Ira Handa Yata", but about Bennett Ratnayake | publisher=boondi | access-date=28 July 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://letterboxd.com/director/bennett-rathnayake/ | title=FILMS DIRECTED BY Bennett Rathnayake | publisher=Letterboxd Limited | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He has produced several critically acclaimed award-winning films such as ''Aswesuma'', ''Sulanga'' and ''Ira Handa Yata''.<ref name=ben>{{cite web | url=https://divaina.com/daily/index.php/visheshanga3/33481-23-3 | title='Our creativity has waned due to imitation of foreign teledramas | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He is also the former chairman of the Sri Lanka Film Directors Association.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lankadeepa.lk/main_picture/චිත්%E2%80%8Dරපටි-සංස්ථාවේ-නව-සභාපති-වැඩ-අරඹයි/11-514706 | title=New Chairman of the Film Corporation | publisher=Lankadeepa | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://sinhala.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=70303 | title=An independent regulatory body should be set up to distribute films | publisher=Ada Derana | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/12/24/fea20.asp | title=Rejuvenating Lankan cinema | work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== Rathnayake was born on 24 October in Matale.<ref name= rathna>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/05/14/fea20.asp | title=Diverse inspirations, captivating intents! | work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He worked at the Department of Customs, Sri Lanka for a few years since 1978. Later, he followed a Diploma in Science of Gems at the University of Moratuwa.<ref name= bennette>{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-bennett-rathnayake-612.html | title=Bennett Ratnayake බෙනට් රත්නායක career | publisher=Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
He is married to Samanmalee Hawapanna and the couple has one son, Udara and two daughters – Erandathi and Bhagya.
His son Udara Rathnayake is a popular artist and a Member of the Western Provincial Council and was born on 21 June 1986. He completed his education from D. S. Senanayake College and completed his A/L education in politics as well as a postgraduate degree in Political Development. He is also a graduate of Stafford International School, University of Essex. Later he joined the United National Party.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/10/18/fea25.asp | title=Udara strikes the right note | work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He also served as the vice president of the Young Professionals Forum.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/opinion/i-will-practise-equality-as-my-main-principle-udara-ratnayake/172-80773 | title=I will practise equality as my main principle - Udara Ratnayake | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> In 2014, he contested for the Western Province Council Elections in 2014 from the Colombo District from the United National Party.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2014/03/16/politics01.html | title=This unconventional politics must end | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> Before entering cinema, he was engaged in business activities related to export sector.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.infosrilankanews.info/2014/03/blog-post_9600.html | title=People have no money to buy a beautiful vehicle even though there is a beautiful road - Udara Ratnayake | publisher=infosrilankanews | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> Udara is married to Dinali, daughter of Priyantha Kariyapperuma, the former Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. The wedding was celebrated on 30 November 2015. The couple has one son, Dishen.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sinhala.etthawitthi.com/aththa-gossip/න%e2%80%8dෙලා-නිසා-මම-අන්ධයෙක්-වු | title=I became blind because of Nala - Udara Ratnayake | publisher=etthawitthi | access-date=6 August 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
His daughter, Bhagya is also an actress who has acted in several television serials such as ''Sanda Sakmana'', ''Nimwalalla'' and films ''Sulanga'' and ''Ira Handa Yata''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120227/288325451210093 | title=Bhagya weds Charith | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> Bhagya is married to Charith Nagodavithana, son of renowned film producer and conservator Tissa Nagodavithana and his wife Kumari Nagodavithana. Before entering acting, Bhagya worked as a production executive at Coca-Cola Company.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2012/02/24/cineart08.html | title=Bhagya Ratnayake married Charith Nagodawithana | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
==Career== In 1986, Rathnayake followed the cinematography program conducted by the OCIC. At the end of the course, he produced a 25-minute drama called ''Piyawaru saha Puththu''. In 1987, the drama won the award for the best non-serial creation at the O.C.I.C Awards Ceremony. The confidence gained by the award moved him towards National Television and Independence Television channels to produce many television serials in the early 1990s including ''Tharu'' which was telecast over MTV.<ref name= rathna /> He has produced many notable television serials ''Tharu'', ''Grahanaya'', ''Kalu Hansayo'', ''Makara Vijithaya'', ''Kadumuna'', ''Palingu'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mawbima.lk/sunday-mawbima/10/sundaymawbima-more/4488 | title=Bennett Ratnayake's 'Palingu Piyapath' on Independent Television over the weekend | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and ''www.com''.<ref name=ben /> In 1988, he directed the serial with 5 episodes, titled ''Sayuren Eha''. In 1994, he established his own institution "Ben Films", as a production institute for teledramas and cinema creation.<ref name= bennette />
In 2001, he became a filmmaker with the maiden film ''Aswesuma''.<ref name= rathna /> In that year, he won the Sarasaviya award for Best Director and the film won many awards at several local film festivals including the Platinum Award for the Best First Feature at the 34th Houston International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020106/tv.html | title=Benette's debut film impresses| work=Sunday Times | access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> It generally receives positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2002/01/07/fea02.html |title=Film Review: The Compensation (ASWESUMA), A splendid maiden effort |work=Daily News |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> The film was critically acclaimed and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Bombay International Film Festival. In 2001, director Rathnayake won the Platinum award for Best Director at the 34th Houston International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010506/tv.html |title=Benette wins Platinum Award |work=Sunday Times |access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref> In 2001, he won the critics award organised by the Federation of International Cinema Critics Association at the Mumbai International film festival.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011216/tv.html | title='Aswesuma' grabs international award | work=Sunday Times | access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> The film was selected for the Montreal and Quebec City International Film Festivals as well as Moscow IFF, Singapore IFF, and Kerala IFF.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010812/tv.html |title='Aswesuma' travels to Canada |work=Sunday Times |access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref> In 2001, the film was selected as an entry in the competitive section at the 25th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil as well as 4th International film festival in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/011111/tv.html |title='Aswesuma' on the move again |work=Sunday Times |access-date=28 November 2019}}</ref> In 2002, the film won the Don Quixote, special jury award at the 7th Dhaka Film Festival. On 29 February 2002, the film was screened at San Jose Film Festival <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020210/tv.html | title=Ratnayake's 'Aswesuma' wins again| work=Sunday Times | access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> and then at Tiburon International Film Festival in USA starting from 22 March 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020317/tv.html | title='Aswesuma' goes overseas| work=Sunday Times | access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> In 2002, director won Golden Reel award for the Best Director at Tiburon International Film Festival held at the Tiburon Playhouse Theatre in USA from 22 to 28 March.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020407/tv.html | title=Benette bags 'best director' award| work=Sunday Times | access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref>
Later in 2005, he directed his second film ''Sulanga'', which acclaimed critical appreciation at the Houston International Cinema Festival. In the mid-2000s, Rathnayake made two television serials – ''Sudheera'' and ''Senda Sakmana''.<ref name= bennette /> The film has received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/051016/tv/5.html |title=Benette flies high with 'Sulanga' |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> The film won six awards at the Calcutta International Film festival, Montreal IFF and Rio International Film Festival in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050925/tv/7.html |title=Bennett invites to blow with the 'Wind' |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> In 2006, the film won the Silver Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060514/tv/sulanga.html | title='Sulanga' wins Houston Award | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> The film was selected to be screened in the competitive section of Pyongyang International Film Festival in September 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060910/TV/tv6.html |title=Sulanga goes to Korea |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref>
In 2010, Rathnayake directed the war-related film ''Ira Handa Yata''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2009/04/05/tv2.html | title=Gift from Bennett Rathnayake to the world of Cinema - Ira Handa Yata | publisher=The Nation | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2009/06/21/pan03.asp| title=Ira Handa Yata Bennette's new adventure| publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> In 2009, it was premiered at the 23rd Singapore International Film Festival and nominated for the Silver Screen Award as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/09/15/art04.asp| title=Ira Handa Yata Film Appreciation with K S Sivakumaran| work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics and won the award of ‘Honourable Mention’ at the Los Angeles International Film Festival in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=9136 | title=Jury Award for 'Ira Handa Yata' at Los Angeles Festival| publisher=Ada Derana | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He introduced his son Udara to the Sri Lankan cinema through the film.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100801/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_4.html | title='Ira Handa Yata' honourably mentioned | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/09/26/ira-handa-yata-brings-a-message-to-every-sri-lankan/ | title=Ira Handa Yata Brings A Message To Every Sri Lankan | publisher=Sunday Leader | access-date=6 August 2020 | archive-date=9 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309065254/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/09/26/ira-handa-yata-brings-a-message-to-every-sri-lankan/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The film also won the best film award at the first edition of the Identita Film Festival, Italy.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2010/08/08/mon16.asp | title=Best film award for "Ira Handa Yata" | publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2010/08/15/enter.htm| title='Ira Handa Yata' best film at Identita film festival| work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> In 2013, the film won the Best Film Award at Fiji Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20130930/282982512674484 | title=Accolade for Bennette's "Ira Handa Yata" | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
After screening ''Ira Handa Yata'' in 2010, he tried to make a film called ''Sath Ima'' in 2013. The film could not be completed due to several interruptions. So Rathnayake was in a shocking mood for several years.{{tone inline|date=November 2024}} It was at that time when he made the film ''Nela'' where the film production was completed in October 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2018/02/07/features/142083/love-not-so-blind?page=3 | title=Love not so blind | work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> He has created the film based on the novel "Nela" translated into Sinhala by Indrani Ratnasekera based on the novel "Marianella" written by Benito Feroz Galdos. However, he waited about a year and a half for the film to be screened on 14 February 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.tharunaya.us/news-Art-25341.html | title=The latest love story brought to the cinema by Bennett Ratnayake who was disappointed due to obstacles | publisher=tharunaya | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/02/22/?fn=sa1802225 | title='Nela' differs from the standard model of love | publisher=sarasaviya | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> The premiere of the film was held at the Regal Cinema Hall in Colombo.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2018/03/01/?fn=sa18030127 | title=Bennette's Nela on screen | publisher=sarasaviya | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
Rathnayake has acted in few films including, ''Ran Kevita'', ''Ran Kevita 2'', ''Aswesuma'', ''Rajya Sevaya Pinisai'' and ''The Wife''<ref>{{Cite web |title='වයිෆ්' ගැහැනියකගේ හෘදය සාක්ෂිය |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/වයිෆ්-ගැහැනියකගේ-හෘදය/ |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=www.sarasaviya.lk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1335459/ | title=Bennett Rathnayake filmography | publisher=IMDb | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> In 2012, he directed the TV serial ''Romeo and Dante''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20121022/283154310904510 | title=Romeo and Dante now on ITN | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/10/17/fea25.asp | title=Bennett brings Romeo and Dante | work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
In January 2017, Rathnayake was invited to be part of the jury panel of the 15th International Film Festival of Pune, India (IFFI).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2017/01/17/entertainment/104819/bennett-rathnayake-joins-jury-panel-iffi | title=Bennett Rathnayake joins the jury panel at IFFI| work=Daily News | access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> In 2019, he directed the television serial ''Palingu Piyapath''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20191104/283068416118492 | title=Bennett's 'Palingu Piyapath' on ITN | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===As a director=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Other roles !! Ref. |- | 2001 || ''Aswesuma'' || screenwriter, producer || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cinequest.org/events/159326/compensation-aswesuma | title=Aswesuma (The Compensation)| work=Cinequest | access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> |- | 2005 || ''Sulanga'' || screenwriter, producer || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040912/tv/2.html | title='Wind' blows away Benette | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref> |- | 2010 || ''Ira Handa Yata'' || screenwriter, producer || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/05/04/fea20.asp| title=Living in harmony| work=Daily News | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref> |- | 2018 || ''Nela'' || co-producer, dialogue, screenwriter || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://divaina.com/daily/index.php/cinama/7196-2018-02-08-13-14-30 | title='Nela' is near | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/10/27/?fn=sa1610271 |title=Nela will be her with you |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> |- | 2021 || ''Kawuruth Danne Na'' || producer, screenplay || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2020/08/06/18264/නීතිය-සහ-අවනීතිය-අතර-කවුරුවත්-දන්නෙ-නැහැ | title='Kauruth Danne Na' between law and lawlessness | publisher=Divaina | access-date=6 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bennett back with 'Nobody knows' |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/200802/magazine/bennett-back-with-nobody-knows-410902.html |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=sundaytimes}}</ref> |}
===As an actor=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Other roles !! Ref. |- | 2007 || ''Ran Kevita'' || Janith's father || |- | 2005 || ''Ran Kevita 2'' || Janith's father || |- | 2005 || ''Aswesuma'' || || |- | 2005 || ''The Wife'' || || |}
==Accolades== ===Youth Services Council=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1975 ||| || Best Costume Designer|| {{won}} {{End}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{external links|date=November 2024}} * [http://cinema.lk/කවුරුවත්-දන්නේ-නෑ-චිත්%E2%80%8Dර/ “කවුරුවත් දන්නේ නෑ” චිත්රපටය වැඩ අරඹයි] * [https://mirrorarts.lk/news/5265-benat-rathnayaka-190526 Bennett Rathnayake newest cinema] * [http://www.deshaya.lk/article/52/හදසර/5785/නෙලා--ඇවිත් නෙලා ඇවිත්] * [http://www.silumina.lk/2020/06/20/දීපානි/මිනිස්සු-චිත්%E2%80%8Dරපට-නොබලන්නේ-ඇයි මිනිස්සු චිත්රපට නොබලන්නේ ඇයි?] * [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/05/30/5539/කාටත්-රහසින්-බෙනට්-කවුරුවත්-දන්නේ-නෑ-කියයි?page=11 කාටත් රහසින් බෙනට් කවුරුවත් දන්නේ නෑ කියයි] * [https://www.nawacinema.lk/featured/item/580-2017-01-11-07-31-24 නවතම නිර්මාණය 'නෙලා' - බෙනට් රත්නායක] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021011704/https://nawacinema.lk/featured/item/580-2017-01-11-07-31-24 |date=2020-10-21 }} * [https://fipresci.org/people/bennett-rathnayake/ The International Federation of Film Critics] * [https://siyathatv.lk/archives/11216 Handunagaththoth Oba Ma] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226233853/http://siyathatv.lk/archives/11216 |date=2018-12-26 }} * [https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20200803/282029034566682 No Body Knows] * [http://picture.gossiplankahotnews.com/2015/11/udara-rathnayake-wedding-day.html Udara Rathnayake Wedding day] * [http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/06/15/fea21.asp Ira Handa Yata strikes real life] * [http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/How-should-a-multi-ethnic-country-respond-to-ethnic-tensions--146970.html How should a multi-ethnic country respond to ethnic tensions?] * [http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/03/07/entertainment/109561/breathing-life-local-cinema Breathing life to local cinema] * [https://www.nation.lk/2010/06/27/enter.htm Ratnayake’s ‘Ira Handa Yata’ themes on ethnic conflict]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rathnayake, Bennett}} Category:Sri Lankan film directors Category:Living people Category:Sri Lankan screenwriters Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Alumni of the University of Essex