Palitha Silva

Garanduwa Baarage Palitha Silva (born August 30, 1967 as පාලිත සිල්වා) [Sinhala]) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Silva acted in more than 400 television serials and is best known for the roles in teledramas Keetaya, Deweni Inima and titular character in the biographical film Anagarika Dharmapala Srimathano. He was awarded the title of Maanava Hithavadee Keerthi Sri Veeraputra Deshabandu in June, 2019 for his service towards Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

He is married to longtime partner, Namalee Silva. She is the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the Marketing Division of Sri Lanka Insurance. She went to Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya and Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo. Then Namalee graduated with a marketing degree from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London. She knew Palitha since 10 years of age. They both lived in the same village, Mount Lavinia and both attended the same Dhamma School , Mount Lavinia Dhammodaya Dhamma School.

His entry to theater and drama came through Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's drama Ekadhipathy. After that, he got the opportunity to contact with Dr. Soloman Fonseka and learnt basics of scientific acting.

In 1984, his maiden theater direction came through the play Ballangen Pravesam Wenu. The drama was selected for the final round of youth drama festival and won many awards. He also directed stage plays for many schools such as Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya and S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He has also worked with British and German dramatists.

His first theater direction play Ballangen Prawesham Wenu was done in 1984 for the Young Drama Award festival. Them after 28 years, he directed a stage play called Circus Karayo, which was first present at Lionel Wendt Theater on 31 July 2012.

Notable works

• Ekadhipathy
• Ballangen Pravesam Wenu
• Circus Karayo
• Security Sinnathambi
• Sihina Deshayen
• Saree Gete
• Caspaar - accompany with German dramatist
• Kelani Palama
• Sihina Rangahala

In 1998, Silva directed the tele film, Amuththek Awith which won awards. In 2000, he directed Thrasthawadinge Ghathanaya for Swarnavahini. He became more popular through the drama mystery television serial Keetaya which was telecasted on Independent Television Network. Currently, he acting in the soap opera Deweni Inima as cricket coach.

Notable works

He worked as the Workshop director of The Young Learners' Center at the British Council.He stated that his greatest ambition is to be a writer. He has published two novels, E Deegeka Giyaya in 1998 and the Athek Barata Henduvak on 8 October 2004.. He also works as Director, Scriptwriter and a lecturer of cinematography.

He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals, both for acting and direction.

Awards