TISSA WIJESURENDRA
The first death anniversary of yesteryear Sinhala cinema heartthrob Tissa Wijesurendra falls tomorrow, May 11. Tissa Wijesurendra ignited the silver screen with his chocolaty charm especially as the matinee idol of the seventies since he made his debut in Ranjith Lal’s ‘Nim Walalla’. But his major role came in Kalana Mithuro in the early seventies.
Among some 65 films he acted in, a majority of them were box office hits in the seventies especially. But Tissa will go down in history as the only actor who went awardless in his illustrious film career.
In his last interview with Daily Mirror Life Impulse, Tissa said though he studied science subjects with the aim of becoming a doctor, destiny made him an actor.
“There were many youngsters who became doctors then, but only a very few became actors. So I thought I was made to become an actor,” he said.
When Vijaya-malani’s Thushara was running to packed
houses in one circuit, another circuit attracted filmgoers who came in their thousands to watch ‘Suhada Pethuma’ featuring Malani and Tissa. Besides Malani, Tissa had acted opposite Sumana Amarasinghe, Jenita Samaraweera, Sriyani Amarasena and other heroines.
Even during the peak of his career Tissa conducted himself in a dignified manner and that prevented his name from being linked with gossips. He always reiterated that he never went behind anyone seeking roles and also never went behind the media seeking undue publicity.
TISSA FILMOGRAPHY
Full Name: Don Bathiya Tissa Wijesurendra
Born: At Sarikkamulla, Panadura on April 3, 1949
School: Nalanda College, Colombo
First film: Nim Walalla
Other movies: Kalana Mithuro, Pujithayo, Samanala Kumariyo, Suhada Pethuma, Sinawai Inawai, Surekha, Lasanda, Es Idiripita, Pem Kurullo, Kohoma Kiyannada, Lassana Kella, Sadhana, Hadawathaka Vasanthaya, Haratha Hathara, Nedeyo, Neela Sudu Parewiyo, Niluka, Honda Hitha, Saja, Niwena Ginna, Sithaka Suwanda, Deepanjali, Kumara Kumariyo, Jeevana Kandulu, Ran Kurullo, Rosa Mal Thunak, Anusha, Api Dedena, Jeewanthi, Kiri Suwanda, Sithara, Major Sir, Senehasaka Kandulu, Bonikka, Hadawathaka Wedana, Hondin Nethnam Narakin, Oba Mata Wishwasai, Bambasara Bisaw, Nelum Saha Samanmali, Kiri Suwanda, Dadabima and others.
Death: May 11, 2020
Nim Walalla
Kalana Mithuro Poojithayo Samanala Kumariyo Suhada Pethuma Sinawai Inawai Surekha
Lasanda
Aes Idiripita
Pem Kurullo Kohoma Kiyannada Lassana Kella Sadhana Hadawathaka Wasanthaya Haratha Hathara Nedeyo
Neela
Sudu Paraviyo Niluka
Niwena Ginna Honda Hitha
Sajaa
Sithaka Suwanda Deepanjali
Kumara Kumariyo Jeewana Kandulu
Ran Kurullo
Rosa Mal Thunak Anusha
Api Dedena Jeewanthi
Kiri Suwanda Sithaara
Major Sir Senehasaka Kandulu Bonikka Hadawathaka Wedana Prarthana
Hondin Nathinam Narakin Christhu Charithaya Oba Mata Wishwasai Bambasara Bisaw Nelum Saha Samanmali Juriya Mamai
Hitha Honda Nam Waradin Na Ragaye Unusuma Aege Wairaya 2 Viyaru Geheniyak Aeya Obata Barai Premlla Dadabima
Oba Magema Wewa Hathara Denama Soorayo remake Rupantharana Supiri Andare