Douglas Ranasinghe

Morathennage Douglas Ranasinghe is a Sri Lankan film, theater, and television actor. He was born on 27 May 1945 in Thorawathura village, Kurunegala. His father- James Ranasinghe, was the village head, and his mother- Seelawathi Valimuni, was a teacher. He attended St. Anne's College at Kurunegala. He is married to Sandya Kumari Ranasinghe and has a son Shribodhi Indrakeela. Douglas got into dramatics as he participated in a theatrical drama- Hunuwataye Kathawa, by Henry Jayasena. He has also acted in stage dramas- Apata Puthe Magak Nathe, Hotabari Yuddhe, Taming of the Sorrow, Kusa Pabawathi, and others. His acting debut in a film was in Akakra Paha (1970), though his second movie, Romeo Juliet Kathwak, was released in 1969.

He entered the Berlin Film Festival of 1970-71 through a short film, Bhavana, by Paul Zils. He provided his voice for Sugathapala De Silva's productions- Keti Katha and Guwan Viduli Ranga Madala. He has also directed some stage plays and television dramas- Sasara Chakra and Ranmasu Uayana. Avasanda, Maṭa Mahalu Vayasē, and Kaḷu Hansayō are some of his notable TV serials. While attending a course at the International Film School in London, he wrote the screenplay for the movie Dancing Devils.