Quick Facts
Biography
Gihan Adrian Camil Fernando (ගිහාන් ප්රනාන්දු) [Sinhala]), popularly as Gihan Fernando, is an award-winning, actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television as well as a playwright and singer. Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Fernando is one of the most popular actors in Sri Lankan theater and television.
Personal life
He was born in Galudipita village in Ragama as the eldest of the family. He has one younger brother and two younger sisters. He is an old boy of De Mazenod College, Kandana. In the school, he was a bright student and clever in soccer.
Acting career
After finishing school, he studied about theater under numerous foreign theater directors through the British Council while working in a company. In 1998, along with another fellow actor late Asela Jayakody, he went to a workshop conducted by Jayalal Rohana. Then, both were lucky to act in Rohana's stage drama, Bhoothawesha. He got the opportunity to act in stage roles under late Somalatha Subasinghe, K. B. Herath, Rajitha Dissanayake, Ravindra Ariyaratne and Dharmapriya Dias. He won the Best Actor Award at the Youth Drama Festival in 1990 for his role in Royston Jude's play Rangahala. Then he acted in Macbeth which was produced by a theater group formed in Wattala under the banner Wattala Kattiya.
His maiden television acting came through Hiru Kumari directed by Nalan Mendis in 1998. Along with Kumara Thirimadura, Fernando engaged in a stage play Giha Saha Kuma.
In 2016, he organized a theatre festival titled Ma Dakina Mama to celebrate silver jubilee of his theater career in theater. It was held at the Lionel Wendt Theater Colombo from March 31 to April 3, 2016 ending with a festival dinner and a stand up show. He also voicing for the radio teledrama Channa Kinnaravi in Hiru FM, and Paradige in RanOne FM. He currently runs an acting school named Hit Act in Bambalapitiya for the new generation.
Notable theater works
- Ada Kale Antigone
- Apahu Enna Ba
- Bakamuna Veedi Basi
- Balloth Ekka Ba
- Balloth Ekka Ba 2
- Bhoothawesha
- Charithe Horu Aran
- Horu Samaga Heluwen
- Janadipathi Thaththa
- Mata Erehiwa Mama
- Mata Wedi Thiyan Nedda?
- Rahas Udaviya
- Raja Man Wahala
- Rangahala
- Saadaya Marai Salli Hamarai
- Sihina Horu Aran
- Thunsiya Heta Eka (361)
- Veeraya Marila
- Wattala Giha and Maharagama Kumar
Notable Television serials
- Adara Wassa
- Adaraneeya Amma
- Aganthukaya
- Aluth Gedara
- Aththamma
- Bath Amma
- Batti
- Bonda Meedum
- Dangayanta Pamanai
- Daskon
- Dhiriya Doni
- Doo Kumariyo
- Hiru Kumari
- Hirusanda Maima
- Isuru Pawura
- Ithin Eeta Passe
- Katu Imbula
- Kiripabalu Vila
- Kokila Sandwaniya
- Makara Dadayama
- Maunayagaya
- Maya Mansala
- Mindada
- Muthu Pihatu
- Nim Walalla
- Nodath Desheka Arumawanthi
- Nonimi Yathra
- No Parking
- Paara
- Pahasara
- Peramaga Salakunu
- Pini Bindu
- Raja Yogaya
- Rathi Virathi
- Sadgunakaraya
- Sadisi Tharanaya
- Samanalunta Wedithiyanna
- Sandagalathenna
- Sanda Thaniyama
- Satakapata
- Satya
- Senehasa Kaviyak
- Senehase Nimnaya
- Sillara Samanallu
- Sooriya Daruwo
- Sudu Hansayo
- Thanamalvila Kollek
- Three-wheel Malli
- Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana
- Thurya
- Urumakkarayo
- Uthum Pathum
- Varanaya
- Veeduru Mal
- Visula Ahasa Yata
- Wasantha Kusalana
- Wassana Sihinaya
- Yakada Kahawanu
Awards and accolades
He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.
Youth Drama Festival Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Rangahala | Best Actor | Won |
State Drama Festival Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Mata Erehiwa Mama | Best Supporting Actor | Won |
Raigam Tele'es Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Daskon | Best Supporting Actor | Won |