# Martin Gunadasa
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Martin_Gunadasa
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Martin_Gunadasa.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Gunadasa
> Source revision: 1345797118
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{short description|Sri Lankan actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Martin Gunadasa
| native_name = මාටින් ගුණදාස
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|02|12|df=yes}}
| birth_name = Sawunda Hannadige Martin Gunadasa
| birth_place = [Matara, Sri Lanka](/source/Matara%2C_Sri_Lanka)
| death_date = {{death date and age|2010|02|09|1930|02|12|df=yes}}
| death_place = [Colombo](/source/Colombo)
| resting_place = Borella cemetery
| resting_place_coordinates =
| education =
| years_active = 1965–2009
| party =
| spouse =
| children =
| father =
| mother =
| awards =
| signature =
| website =
| occupation = Actor, producer, director, Singer
}}
'''Sawunda Hannadige Martin Gunadasa''' (12 February 1930 – 9 February 2010 as [මාටින් ගුණදාස](/source/%3Asi%3A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%A7%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A_%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%AB%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%83)) [Sinhala]), popularly known as '''Martin Gunadasa''', was an actor in [Sri Lankan cinema](/source/Cinema_of_Sri_Lanka), stage drama and television.[{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-martin-gunadasa-206.html | title=Martin Gunadasa (1930–2010)| publisher=films.lk | access-date=8 July 2020}}][{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9149916/ | title=Martin Gunadasa films | publisher=IMDb | access-date=8 July 2020}}] His most popular role was that of Polee Mudalali in the television serial ''[Kopi Kade](/source/Kopi_Kade)''.[{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/02/17/art50.asp | title=Poli Mudalali no more | work=Daily News | access-date=8 July 2020}}]
==Personal life==
Martin Gunadasa was born on 12 February 1930 in Matara.[{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20130204/282806418692092 | title=Unforgettables | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=8 July 2020}}]
In 1965, Gunadasa made his maiden cinema appearance in the film ''Saaravita''. However, his second film ''Sudo Sudu'' screened before his first film. Then he acted in many supportive roles particularly as the arrogant "Mudalali" in many films including, ''Hatha Maha Nidhanaya'', ''Hathara Wate'', ''Kapatikama'', ''Pickpocket'', ''Indunila'', ''Kalana Mithuro'' and ''Sinawai Inawai''. He also worked as a singer and musician.[{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2007/09/23/enter3.htm | title=Drama based on HIV/AIDS at Lumbini Theatre | publisher=The Nation | access-date=8 July 2020}}]
In 1987, Gunadasa was selected to the television serial ''[Kopi Kade](/source/Kopi_Kade)'' by [Thevis Guruge](/source/Thevis_Guruge). His role as "Poli Mudalali" became highly popularized among the public and he was usually known by his character name rather than real name.[{{cite web | url=https://www.lifie.lk/2019/10/01/kopi-kade-actors-who-left-us/ | title=අපෙන් සමුගෙන ගිය කෝපිකඩේ ඇත්තෝ | publisher=lifie | access-date=8 July 2020 | archive-date=8 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708191801/https://www.lifie.lk/2019/10/01/kopi-kade-actors-who-left-us/ | url-status=dead }}] He appeared in the series from the beginning which first aired on 1 April 1987.[{{Cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/020714/tv/1.html|title=Kopi Kade |access-date= 2010-08-14|publisher=Sunday Times}}][{{cite web | url=https://www.divaina.com/2016/01/08/cineart02.html | title=Asia's longest running TV series| publisher=Divaina | access-date=8 July 2020}}] He continued to act in the series for more than 20 consecutive years in 1192 episodes.