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Srilal Abeykoon

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Srilal Abeykoon
ශ්‍රීලාල් අබේකෝන්
Born
Tissa Srilal Abeykoon[1]

(1953-12-31)December 31, 1953
Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
DiedApril 16, 2020(2020-04-16) (aged 66)
Mirigama
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesAppuwa
Education
  • Diyawanna Vidyalaya
  • Hewavitharana Vidyalaya
  • Walisingha Harischandra College, Anuradhapura
Occupation(s)Actor, Dramatist, Singer
Years active1978–2020
SpouseDominica Wasana Meethani Wijenayake
Children2

Tissa Srilal Abeykoon (31 December 1953 – 16 April 2020 as ශ්‍රීලාල් අබේකෝන්) [Sinhala]), was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[2] One of the most popular television actors in Sri Lanka, he is most notable for the trade mark role "Appuwa" in the television serial Kopi Kade. A talented singer, Abeykoon is the only Sri Lankan singer to sing 500 songs for cassette after singer Nihal Nelson.[3]

Personal life

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He was born on 31 December 1953.[4][5] Born in Rajagiriya, he was educated at Diyawanna Vidyalaya and Hewavitharana Vidyalaya.[6] He was also educated at Walisingha Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura.[7]

He was married to Dominica Wasana Meethani Wijenayake and the couple has two children. He lived in Bothale area in Ambepussa before his demise.[8]

Abeykoon had been ill for nearly five years and received treatment at Mirigama and Ragama hospitals. Srilal who had been receiving treatment at the Ragama General Hospital for five days, had returned to his home at Tawalampitiya, Mirigama two days ago in 13 June. He was admitted to the Meerigama Hospital on 15 April where he died on next day 16th at the age of 66.[9] Funeral took place on Saturday 17 April 2020 at the Malwatta cemetery in Nittambuwa.[10]

Career

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Abeykoon was in charge of theatrical costumes of the Tower Hall Theater Foundation at the beginning of his career. Later he has performed on many stage dramas such as Sri Wickrama, Athula V. Samaraweera's plays Sooty Gamrala and Raigam Banda before entering television serials.[11]

In 1981, Abeykoon was selected to the television serial Kopi Kade by Thevis Guruge. His role as "Appuwa" became highly popularized among the public and he was usually known by his character name rather than real name. He appeared in the series from the beginning which first aired on 1 April 1987.[12] He continued to act in the series for more than 30 consecutive years even with illness.

He is a A grade Noorthi Singer of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.[3] He also released many music cassettes in mid 1990s. He sang his popular songs for the drama Suuti Gamarala which include, Daskam Vismithai, Maa Premige, Mage Bhaari Obai and Sith Santhoosen.[13] He was a prominent role on the outdoor musical shows island wide during the 1980s and 1990s. During that time, he also released some of Nonstop Cassettes with popular bands around the country including Sunflower. His cassette titled "Raja Kolam" consists with 10 songs.[14] In his next cassette Appuwa 2, he released 12 songs.[14] Abeykoon sang the song Kopi Kade Appu, Mama Wen Na Kulappu became highly popularized in musical shows.[11]

He made his maiden cinematic appearance in 1994 film Sanda Madala directed by Malini Fonseka.[2] Since then, he acted few minor roles in cinema.[15][16]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Ref.
1994 Sanda Madala Kiri Banda 'Kira'
1995 Chandiyage Putha Boarder
1995 Edath Chandiya Adath Chandiya Neighbour
1996 Mana Mohini Rajiv's friend
1996 Mal Hathai
1997 Puthuni Mata Wasana
1999 Ayadimi Sama Tikiri Banda
2002 Sansara Prarthana
2017 Sellam Nethnam Lellam

References

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  1. ^ "Actor Srilal Abeykoon dies". Dinamina. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Sri Lal Abeykoon filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "The second only to Nihal Nelson, Srilal has passed away". Colombo Now. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Appuwa no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Happy Birthday artists". suratha. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Srilal Abeykoon dies". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Appu leaves theater in the Kopi Kade". Silumina. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Final rites of 'Appuwa' to be held today". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  9. ^ "'Appuwa' bids adieu at the age of 66". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Sri Lal Abeykoon no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Srilal Abeykoon, Kopi Kade Appu says goodbye". enewslanka. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Kopi Kade". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  13. ^ "Srilal Abeykoon songs". infolanka. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Srilal Abeykoon (Kopi Kade Appu)". vid001. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Srilal Abeykoon filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Srilal Abeykoon films". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
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