Cletus Mendis
Gammada Liyanage Cletus Paulinus Mendis, popularly as Cletus Mendis is a Sri Lankan actor, mainly works in cinema and television. He has received a number of awards for portraying villains at the Sarasaviya, OCIC, Raigam, and Presidential film festivals.
Acting career
In 1971, before moving to silver screen, Mendis did dramas at church feasts and taught gymnastics and martial arts to the youth at Katupotha. Then 1973, he went to Colombo to face an interview with Henry Chandrawansa and then met Sugath Samarakoone at that interview. In 1977, he worked as the stunt director of the film Wanagatha Kella.His first cinema acting came in the 1978 epic history film Veera Puran Appu as a supporting actor. Then he acted in Yali Pipunu Malak in 1983. His first villain character came through the 1982 film Paramitha, which turned his filming career towards villain roles throughout the rest of the decades.
In 2004, Mendis joined Vishva Kala Sarasaviya at Mount Lavinia and met Udayakantha Warnasuriya. In 2021, he was honored with the 'Deshabhimani Keerthi Kalabushana' award.
Selected Television Serials
- Ammawarune
- Brakhma Muhurthaya
- Divithura
- Iki Bidina Samanali
- Ithin Eta Passe
- Kalu Araliya
- Kapa Nasna Samaya
- Mahaviru Pandu
- Makara Dadayama
- Meedumen Eha
- Oba Nisa
- Pinsara Dosthara
- Roda Thune Manamali
- Sabada Eliyas
- Sanda Nodutu Sanda
- Sanda Gomman Re
- Sihina Wasanthayak
- Sihinayaki Jeewithe
- Siri Sirimal
- ''Sudui Usai''
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
| 1978 | Veera Puran Appu | Puran Appu's soldier | |
| 1980 | Sankhapali | ||
| 1982 | Kiri Suwanda | ||
| 1982 | Paramitha | ||
| 1983 | Yali Pipunu Malak | ||
| 1983 | Rathu Makara | Tudor | |
| 1984 | Mala Giravi | Meena's Thaththa / Meena's Aiyya | |
| 1984 | Hithawathiya | Inspector | |
| 1984 | Sasara Chethana | ||
| 1985 | Puthuni Mata Samawenna | ||
| 1985 | Obata Diwura Kiyannam | ||
| 1985 | Sura Duthiyo | ||
| 1986 | Prarthana | ||
| 1986 | Jaya Apatai | ||
| 1986 | Sura Saradiyel | Sirimala | |
| 1986 | Peralikarayo | Sarath / Whiskey Kade Pussa's henchman | |
| 1987 | Hitha Honda Chandiya | Willie | |
| 1987 | Nommara Ekai | ||
| 1987 | Viragaya | Jinadasa | |
| 1987 | Ahinsa | Party guest | |
| 1988 | Ayya Nago | ||
| 1988 | Ko Hathuro | ||
| 1989 | Mamai Raja | Inspector Robin | |
| 1989 | Obata Rahasak Kiyannam | ||
| 1989 | Sinasenna Raththaran | ||
| 1989 | Randenigala Sinhaya | Henchman | |
| 1989 | Sebaliyo | ||
| 1990 | Dase Mal Pipila | ||
| 1990 | Yukthiyata Wada | Ramesh | |
| 1990 | Pem Raja Dahana | Corporal Nandana | |
| 1990 | Chandi Raja | ||
| 1990 | Hitha Honda Puthek | ||
| 1990 | Dedunnen Samanaliyak | ||
| 1990 | Veera Udara | also as producer and playback singer | |
| 1991 | Wada Barinam Wadak Na | ||
| 1991 | Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya | ||
| 1991 | Raja Sellan | ||
| 1991 | Esala Sanda | ||
| 1991 | Ran Hadawatha | ||
| 1991 | Cheriyo Doctor | Cleet | |
| 1991 | Dhanaya | ||
| 1991 | Bambara Kalapaya | ||
| 1991 | Mama Obe Hithawatha | ||
| 1992 | Raja Daruwo | Lionel Jayasekara | |
| 1992 | Sakwithi Raja | ||
| 1992 | Chandi Rajina | ||
| 1992 | Sinha Raja | ||
| 1992 | Kiyala Wadak Na | Kapila | |
| 1992 | Me Ware Mage | ||
| 1992 | Sathya | ||
| 1992 | Rajek Wage Puthek | ||
| 1993 | Chaya | Mahesh | |
| 1992 | Surabidhena | Party guest | |
| 1993 | Sagara Thilina | ||
| 1993 | Wali Sulanga | Gamini | |
| 1993 | Sasara Sarisarana Thek Oba Mage | ||
| 1993 | Sandarekha | ||
| 1993 | Nelum Saha Samanmali | ||
| 1993 | Surayan Athara Veeraya | Nihal | |
| 1993 | Yasasa | ||
| 1993 | Jeevan Malli | ||
| 1993 | Lassanai Balanna | ||
| 1994 | Nohadan Landune | ||
| 1994 | Love 94 | Mr. Wickrama | |
| 1994 | Shakthi | ||
| 1995 | Inspector Geetha | ||
| 1995 | Vijay Saha Ajay | Don Gabriel 'Goring' Almeida | |
| 1995 | Deviyani Sathya Surakinna | Inspector Mahesh Rajapakse | |
| 1995 | Wairayen Wairaya | ||
| 1995 | Chitti | ||
| 1995 | Hitha Honda Surayo | ||
| 1995 | Cheriyo Captain | Alphonsus | |
| 1995 | Dalulana Gini | ||
| 1995 | Sudu Walassu | ||
| 1996 | Body Guard | ||
| 1996 | Sura Daruwo | ||
| 1996 | Hitha Hondanam Waradin Na | also as playback singer | |
| 1996 | Saba Mithuro | ||
| 1996 | Seema Pawuru | ||
| 1996 | Sihina Wimane Kumariya | Jagath Senanayake | |
| 1996 | Madhuri | Lal's boss | |
| 1997 | Yasoma | ||
| 1997 | Puthuni Mata Wasana | Anura | |
| 1997 | Tharanaya | ||
| 1997 | Surayo Wadakarayo | ||
| 1997 | Savithrige Rathriya | ||
| 1997 | Ninja Sri Lanka | ||
| 1997 | Goodbye Tokyo | ||
| 1998 | Anthima Reya | ||
| 1999 | Koti Sana | ||
| 2000 | Danduwama | ||
| 2000 | Sanda Yahanata | Politician | |
| 2001 | Dinuma Kageda | ||
| 2002 | Sathkampa | Saliya | |
| 2003 | Sundarai Adare | Senaka Weerasekera | |
| 2003 | Pura Sakmana | ||
| 2003 | Sepata Dukata Sunny | Tara's brother | |
| 2003 | Aladinge Waldin | Mr. Dekatana 'Julie' also as playback singer | |
| 2003 | Taxi Driver | ||
| 2003 | Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak | Akman | |
| 2004 | Salamuthu Pinna | ||
| 2004 | Underworld | ||
| 2006 | Supiri Balawatha | Gajanayake | |
| 2006 | Ranahansi | ||
| 2006 | Double Game | ||
| 2007 | First Love Pooja | ||
| 2008 | Superstar | ||
| 2008 | Adara Meena | ||
| 2008 | Ai Oba Thaniwela | ||
| 2010 | Jaya Pita Jaya | Douglas | |
| 2010 | Thank You Berty | Police Inspector | |
| 2010 | Subha | ||
| 2010 | Viyapath Bambara | ||
| 2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Jagilis | |
| 2011 | Putha Mage Suraya | Douglas / Ivan | |
| 2012 | Kurumittek Avilla | ||
| 2012 | Vijaya Kuweni | Upatissa | |
| 2014 | Ahelepola Kumarihami | Purohitha | |
| 2014 | Parapura | SSP. First direction also as producer and screenwriter | |
| 2015 | Maharaja Ajasath | Purohitha | |
| 2015 | Aathma Warusha | ||
| 2016 | Natannethuwa Dinna | President | |
| 2016 | Ape Kaalaye Patachara | Situthuma | |
| 2017 | Aloko Udapadi | Pilaya Mara | |
| 2018 | Vaishnavee | Boatman | |
| 2019 | Eka Renaka Kurullo | Police officer | |
| 2020 | Seda Mawathe | CID chief | |
| 2021 | Wassane Sihinaya | ||
| 2022 | Rashmi | ||
| 2025 | Soona | cameo role | |
| 2025 | 69 | ||
| Elakandiye Marcus | |||