{{short description|Sri Lankan film actor and film director (born 1955)}} {{Multiple issues| {{BLP no footnotes|biography|date=June 2016}} {{cleanup biography|date=June 2016}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Sanath Gunathilake | native_name = සනත් ගුණතිලක | native_name_lang = si | image = | alt = | caption = Sanath Gunathilake | birth_name = Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|10|27|df=yes}} | birth_place = Kandy, Sri Lanka | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | death_place = | other_names = | father = Hector Gunatilake | mother = Grace Goonetileke | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1980–present | known_for = Aravinda in Viragaya | education = Kingswood College | spouse = Janaki Wijerathne (m. 2025) }}

'''Somsiri Sanath Julien Gunatilake''' ({{Langx|si|සනත් ගුණතිලක}}; born 27 October 1955), popularly as '''Sanath Gunatilake''', is a Sri Lankan actor, director, screenwriter and former politician. Known for his versatility across multiple genres, he has had a career in the Sri Lankan film industry spanning over four decades. Gunatilake served as a member of the Western Provincial Council as a member of the United National Party and later held the position of media head for President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

==Early life== Gunatilake was born on 27 October 1955 in Mulgampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka, into a middle-class family. His father, Hector Gunatilake, was a lawyer, and his mother, Grace Goonetileke, was a teacher. He has stated that his father was an avid cinema enthusiast, which influenced his early interest in the arts. Gunatilake received his education at Kingswood College, Kandy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=147526 |title=Sanath Gunathilake's epiphanies |publisher=The Island |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref>

Gunatilake initially worked as a chemistry teacher. He later moved to Colombo in search of new career opportunities, leaving behind his tuition classes in Kandy.<ref name="Aravinda">{{Cite web |title=Sanath Gunathilaka who did not die to bring 'Aravinda' to life |url=http://www.silumina.lk/2021/02/27/තරංග/‘අර%C2%ADවි%C2%ADන්දට’-පණ-දෙන්න-නොමැරී-මැරුණු-සනත්-ගුණ%C2%ADති%C2%ADලක |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=Silumina}}</ref>

==Film career== Gunatilake made his film debut in 1978 with ''Situ Kumariyo'',<ref>{{Citation |last=Sri |first=Wijaya Dharma |title=Situ Kumariyo |date=1981-05-02 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8224598/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |others=Sanath Gunathilake, Malini Fonseka, Upali Attanayaka}}</ref> directed by Vijaya Dharmasiri. However, before its release, his second film, ''Ganga Addara'',<ref>{{Citation |last=Peries |first=Sumitra |title=Ganga Addara |type=Drama, Musical |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485910/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |others=Vasanthi Chathurani, Sanath Gunathilake, Vijaya Kumaratunga |publisher=Sumathi Films}}</ref> was screened, followed by ''Sathweni Dawasa''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sathweni Dawasa - සත්වෙනි දවස - Sinhala Cinema Database |url=https://films.lk/sathweni-dawasa-Sinhala-film-1230.html |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=films.lk}}</ref> After ''Situ Kumariyo'', his next film, ''Vajira'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vajira - වජිරා - Sinhala Cinema Database |url=https://www.films.lk/vajira-sinhala-film-1240.html |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=www.films.lk}}</ref> was released.

His breakthrough role came with ''Ganga Addara'', directed by Sumitra Peries, which marked a turning point in his acting career. He later gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Aravinda in ''Viragaya'', a performance that earned him Best Actor awards at every major film festival in Sri Lanka. Gunatilake has appeared in several notable films, including ''Kedapatha'', ''Palama Yata'', ''Doorkada Marawa'', and ''Rajya Sevaya Pinisai''.<ref name="Aravinda" />

In addition to his more dramatic roles, Gunatilake appeared in several mainstream films alongside Vijaya Kumaratunga, Jeewan Kumaratunga, and Ranjan Ramanayake. His film credits include ''Koti Waligaya'', ''Dinuma'', ''Raja Wedakarayo'', ''Nommara 17'', ''Obatai Priye Adare'', and ''Inspector Geetha''.<ref name="Aravinda" />

In 2009, Gunatilake made his directorial debut with ''Ekamath Eka Rataka''. He was one of the first Sri Lankan directors to actively use the internet for film promotion, launching a website for his film in 2009, onceuponamovie.com.

==Personal life== In 2025 He was married to former actress and businesswoman Janaki Wijerathne. She is the vice president of Lyca Productions.

==Filmography== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |- | 1980 ||''Ganga Addara''||Ranjith || |- | rowspan=7 | 1981 ||''Situ Kumariyo''|||| |- | ''Vajira''||Newton|| |- | ''Sathweni Dawasa''|| Alphonso|| |- | ''Sathkulu Pauwa''|||| |- | ''Saranga''|||| |- | ''Aradhana ''|| || |- | ''Amme Mata Samawenna''|| Wasantha || |- | rowspan=7 | 1982 ||''Yahalu Yeheli''|| Pujitharatne || |- | ''Thani Tharuwa''|| Tharanga || |- | ''Ridee Nimnaya''|| Rathnapala || |- | ''Nawatha Hamu Wemu''|||| |- | ''Kiri Suwanda''|||| |- | ''Kele Mal''|| Chandana || |- | ''Chathu Madhura''|| Sunil || |- | rowspan=3 | 1983 ||''Sivu Ranga Sena''|||| |- | ''Sister Mary''|||| |- | ''Kaliyugaya''|||| |- | rowspan=9 | 1984 ||''Thaththai Puthai''|| Saliya || |- | ''Shirani''|||| |- | ''Batti''|| Suren Hamu ||<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sarasaviya.lk/බට්ටි-හරහා-පෙන්නුම්-කළේ-ප/ | title=බට්ටි හරහා පෙන්නුම් කළේ පීඩාවට පත් දුප්පතුන්ගේ ජීවිතය | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref> |- | ''Sathi Puja''|| Kapila || |- | ''Sasara Chethana''|||| |- | ''Podi Ralahami''|||| |- | ''Maya''|||| |- | ''Maala Giravi''|||| |- | ''Dewani Gamana''|| Saman || |- | rowspan=6 | 1985 ||''Vasity Kella''|||| |- | ''Mihidum Salu''||Doctor Senaka || |- | ''Kiri Madu Wel''|||| |- | ''Chalitha Rangali''|||| |- | ''Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna''|||| |- | ''Araliya Mal''|| Chandana || |- | rowspan=6 | 1986 ||''Prarthana''|||| |- | ''Maldeniye Simiyon''|| Justin || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060625/tv/MaldeniyeSimeon.html |title='Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> |- | ''Mal Warusa''|| Jagath Weerasuriya || |- | ''Koti Valigaya''|||| |- | ''Dinuma''|| Sarath Jayathilaka || |- | Avurududa|| Dhanushka || |- | rowspan=7 | 1987 ||''Viragaya''||Aravinda||<ref name="All about Viragaya">{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2020/04/30/17600/සම්භාවනීය-නවකතාවක-සම්මානනීය-සිනමා-ප%E2%80%8D්%E2%80%8Dරවේශය |title=All about Viragaya |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="mirrorarts.lk">{{cite web |url=https://mirrorarts.lk/featured/11870-2025-11-01-05-14-31 |title=ලාංකේය සිනමාවේ ප්ලේටෝනියානු ප්‍රේම කාව්‍යය - "විරාගය" |publisher=mirrorarts.lk |access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref> |- | ''Thaththi Man Adarei''|||| |- |''Randamwel''|||| |- | ''Raja Wedakarayoo''||Ranjan|| |- | ''Obatai Priye Adare''|| Amith || |- | ''Mangala Thegga''|||| |- | ''Kawuluva''|||| |- | rowspan=3 | 1988 ||''Satana''|||| |- | ''Rasa Rahasak''|| Sanath / Wickrama|| |- | ''Chandingeth Chandiya''|| Dharmadasa || |- | rowspan=3 | 1989 ||''Okkoma Rajavaru''|||| |- | ''Nommara 17''|| Naatha || |- | ''Kedapathaka Chaya''||Piyathilaka|| <ref name="All about Kedapathaka Chaya">{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2020/05/07/17626/ආපසු-හැ-බලන්නට-”%E2%80%8Dකැඩපතක-ඡායා” |title=All about Kedapathaka Chaya |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> |- | || ''Sebaliyo ''|| Nimal || |- | rowspan=5 | 1990 ||''Pem Raja Dahana''|| Sargent Ranasinghe ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/ඇය-ඔබට-බාරයි-නිපදවූයේ-අම්/ |title=ඇය ඔබට බාරයි නිපදවූයේ අම්මා වෙනුවෙන් |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Palama Yata''||Willie||<ref name="All about the film Palama Yata">{{Cite web |title=All about the film "Palama Yata" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/05/02/4959/ගඟ-ගලා-බසිද්දී-සසල-වූ-ජීවිත |access-date=2021-01-22 |website=Sarasaviya|date=May 2019 }}</ref> |- | ''Madhu Sihina''|| Suraj || |- | ''Hodin Nathnam Narakin''||Lokke|| |- | ''Dese Mal Pipila''|| Sumedha || |- | rowspan=5 | 1991 ||''Uthura Dakuna''|| Sanath || |- | ''Love In Bangkok''||Jagath|| |- | ''Dhanaya''||Athula|| |- | || ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about "Mahesh" |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/story/2019/04/25/4881/සිසිලැල්-පවනේ-ගී-හඬ-විසිරේ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=sarasaviya|date=25 April 2019 }}</ref> |- | ''Cheriyo Doctor''|| Chaminda Randenigala || |- | rowspan=7 | 1992 ||''Sisila Gini Gani''||Harris Makalanda|| |- | ''Sinhayangeth Sinhaya''||Mahesh|| |- | ''Sakkara Sooththara''|||| |- | ''Rumathiyai Neethiyai''|| || |- | ''Raja Daruwo''|| Sanath and his father (dual role) || |- | ''Malsara Doni''|| Janaka Perera || |- | ''Kiyala Wedek Nae''|||| |- | rowspan=5 | 1993 ||''Sasara Serisaranathek Oba Mage''|||| |- | ''Nelum Ha Samanmalee''|||| |- | ''Madara Parasathu''|| Sirithunga || |- | ''Chaya''|||| |- | ''Bambasara Bisawu''|||| |- | rowspan=4 | 1994 ||''Sujatha new''|||| |- | ''Mee Haraka''|||| |- | ''Hello My Darlin''|||| |- | ''Aathmaa''|||| |- | rowspan=3 | 1995 ||''Vairayen Vairaya''|||| |- | ''Inspector Geetha''|||| |- | ''Cheriyo Captain''|| Rahal || |- | rowspan=3 | 1996 ||''Veediye Veeraya''|||| |- |''Sebae Mithura''|||| |- |''Bawa Sasara''|||| |- | 1997 ||''Duwata Mawaka Misa''|||| |- | rowspan=3 | 1998 ||''Vimukthi''|||| |- | ''Eya Obata Barai''|||| |- | ''Dorakada Marawa''||Priyantha|| |- | rowspan=4 | 2000 ||''Sanda Yahanata''|| Jagath Hathurusinghe || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990425/mirror5.html#label2 |title=A film off the beaten track |publisher=The Sunday Times|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | ''Rajya Sevaya Pinisai''||Minister Janaka Situbandara|| |- | ''Pem Kekula''||Jerome||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/001126/tv.html |title='Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past |publisher=The Sunday Times|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | ''Chakraayudha''|||| |- | 2001 ||''Oba Koheda Priye''|| George Madanayake ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010304/tv.html |title='Oba Koheda Priye': Story of deceit and intrigue |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2 | 2002 ||''Somy Boys''|| Sanath || |- | ''Agnidahaya'' || Ambanwala Rala || |- | rowspan=4 | 2003 ||''Wekande Walauwa''|| Gunapala || |- | ''Sudu Kaluwara''|| Seemon Fernando 'Mudalali' || |- | ''Sakman Maluwa''|| Tissa || |- | ''Le Kiri Kandulu''|| Asela || |- | rowspan=5 | 2004 ||''Kangalal Kaidhu Sei'' || Pratap || Indian film |- |''Selamuthu Pinna''|| Sanath Sir || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040725/tv/5.html | title=New faces in 'Salamuthu Pinna' | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref> |- | ''Randiya Dahara''|| Colonel Chanuka Hettiarachchi || |- | ''Mille Soya''|| Sagara || |- | ''Diya Yata Gindara''|| Sampath Harischandra || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030629/tv/4.html#1 |title=CEL's first production: 'Diya Yata Gindara' |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> |- | rowspan=3 | 2005 ||''Sulanga''|| Senarathne || |- | ''Asani Warsha''|| Minister Sirimanne || |- | ''Sudu Kalu Saha Alu''|| Assa Peter || |- | rowspan=4 | 2006 ||''Nilambare''||Nimal|| |- | ''Anjalika''|| Clifford Imbulgoda || |- | ''Ammawarune''|| Doctor || |- | ''Naga Kanya''|| Saman || |- | rowspan=2 | 2007 ||''Asai Man Piyabanna''|| Sapumal Senadheera || |- | ''Aganthukaya''|| Chief Minister Simon Galagedara|| |- | rowspan=6 | 2008 ||''Rosa Kale''|| Mr. Sooriyabandara || |- | ''Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai''|||| |- | ''Nil Diya Yahana''||Minister|| |- | ''Adaraye Namayen''|||| |- | ''Superstar''|| Ranjith Bandara || |- | ''Siri Raja Siri''|| Principal || |- | rowspan=5 | 2009 ||''Kanyavi''|| Janaka || |- |''Ekamath Eka Rateka''|||| |- | ''Dancing Star''|||| |- | ''Alimankada''||Major Kiriella || |- | ''Ali Surathal''|| Rathnayaka || |- | rowspan=5 | 2010 ||''Uththara''|| Minister Niwanthudawa || |- | ''Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe''||cameo role|| |- | ''Mago Digo Dai''|| Minister Sathyapala || |- | ''Kawulu Dora''|||| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100627/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_7.html |title='Kavulu Dora' opens for public |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> |- | ''Hadawatha Mal Yayai''|||| |- | rowspan=4 | 2011 ||''Sinhawalokanaya''|| Gam Muladani || |- | ''King Hunther''|| Nayakathuma || |- | ''Gamani''|| Military Officer || |- | ''Angara Dangara''|| Principal Pathirana || |- | 2012 ||''Sihinaya Dige Enna''|| Father || |- | rowspan=3 | 2013 ||''Doni''|| Bandu || |- | ''Ira Laga Wadi''||Saliya|| |- | ''Super Six''|| Preme, Sanath's brother || |- | rowspan=3 | 2014 ||''Samige Kathawa''|||| |- | ''Parapura''|| Minister Marasinghe || |- | ''Kalpanthe Sihinayak''|| Mapa || |- | rowspan=3|2015 ||''Sinhaya''|| Minister || |- | ''Sinahawa Atharin''|| Wimal || |- | ''Pravegaya''|| Police Officer || |- | 2017 ||''Pani Makuluwo''|| Ranaweera || |- | rowspan=4|2019 ||''Sangile''|| Punchi Malli || |- | ''Thiththa Aththa''|| || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/14/?fn=sa1806142 |title=The story of Walisinghe |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=16 June 2018}}</ref> |- | ''Rush''|| Prof. Madugalle || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/09/26/9607/අනාගතය-අයිති-සිනමාකරුවකුගේ-ආගමනය |title=Arrival of a filmmaker who owns the future |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref> |- | ''President Super Star''|| Judge Daham Daranagama || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/08/08/8092/හතර-දෙනෙකු-තරග-වදින-ජනාධිපති-වේදිකාව-ප්‍රසිඩන්ට්-සුපර්-ස්ටාර් |title=The presidential stage where four people are competing |date=7 August 2019 |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2 | 2021 ||''Wassane Sihinaya'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Separating Time Cycle 'Wassane Sihinaya' |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2021/03/25/20094/හමුවන-වෙන්වන-කාල-චක්%E2%80%8Dරය-‘වස්සානේ-සිහිනය’ |access-date=2021-03-21 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> |- |''Uthuru Sulanga'' || ||<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2020/07/09/17973/උතුරු-සුළඟට-හසු-වූ-දකුණේ-තරුණයකුගේ-කතාව | title=The story of a young man in the south caught in the north wind | date=8 July 2020 | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan=4 | 2023 ||''Guththila'' || Makkali ||<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/11/07/11901/දනන්-තුඩ-රැව්-දුන්-ගුත්තිල | title=Tale of Guththila becomes a cinema | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=10 November 2018}}</ref> |- |''Nattami Army'' || || |- |''Rider'' || || |- |''Yugathra'' || Willy Saparamadu || |- | rowspan=2 | 2024 ||''Ridee Seenu'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=The silver bells are finished |url=https://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2022/04/07/23103/රිදී-සීනු-වැඩ-අවසන්-වේ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=සරසවිය}}</ref> |- |''Kambili'' || cameo || |- | rowspan=2 | 2025 || ''Rani'' || Lalith Athulathmudali |- |''Mother Lanka'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/මාතෘත්වයේ-කැඩපත/ |title=මාතෘත්වයේ කැඩපත |date=22 August 2025 |publisher=Sarasaviya |accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref> |- | rowspan=1 | 2026 || ''Dharmayuddhaya 2'' || Mangala Widanapathirana |- | {{TableTBA}} || {{pending film|italic=no| ''Sura Detuwo'' }} || || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=සුරලොවින් නරලොවට වඩිනා සුර දෙටුවෝ |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/සුරලොවින්-නරලොවට-වඩිනා-ස/|access-date=2025-01-07 |website=sarasaviya.lk}}</ref> |- | {{TableTBA}} || {{pending film|italic=no| ''Pathikulaya'' }} || || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=පතිකුලය සුබ මොහොතින් වැඩ අරඹයි |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/පතිකුලය-සුබ-මොහොතින්-වැඩ/|access-date=2025-01-07 |website=sarasaviya.lk}}</ref> |}

===As a director=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Ref. |- |2009 ||''Ekamath Eka Rateka''|| |- |2015 ||''Sinahawa Atharin''|| |}

==Awards== * Sarasaviya Awards for Best Actor - ''Sakman Maluwa'' * Sarasaviya Awards for Best Actor - ''Palama Yata''<ref name="All about the film Palama Yata"/> * Sarasaviya Awards for Best Supporting Actor - ''Kedapathaka Chaya''<ref name="All about Kedapathaka Chaya"/> * Sarasaviya Awards for Best Actor - ''Viragaya''<ref name="All about Viragaya"/><ref name="mirrorarts.lk"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{cite web|url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/sanath-gunathilaka-154/|title=Sanath Gunathilaka|work=nfc.gov.lk}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.films.lk/ArtistDetails.php?id=299|title=Sanath Gunathilaka - Sinhala Cinema Database|work=films.lk}} * {{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3590885/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title=Sanath Gunathilaka|work=IMDb}} * [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/teledramas/2020/07/30/18133/මංගල-තෑග්ගේ-දෙවැනි-ගමන මංගල තෑග්ගේ දෙවැනි ගමන]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gunathilake, Sanath}} Category:Sri Lankan male film actors Category:Sri Lankan film directors Category:Living people Category:Kala Keerthi Category:1955 births Category:Alumni of Kingswood College, Kandy