Rodney Warnakula
Warnakula Patabandige Rodney Priyantha Perera,, popularly known as Rodney Warnakula, is a Sri Lankan actor, comedian, singer, and dubbing artist.
Family
Warnakula was born on 24 April 1961 in Ja-Ela, as the son of Aloy Warnakula, an actor, and Annie Jayakodi, a housewife. He made his stage debut in Lucien Bulathsinhala’s 1981 drama Tharavo Igilethi. He is married to Erani Warnakula. They have two daughters and a son. His elder daughter Harshani Prasangika is a dancing teacher, his second daughter is Samadhi Upekshika and his youngest is his son, Eron Lakdeepa.Career
In 1980, The Tower Foundation conducted a drama course with lecturers from Shanti Niketan, India,including Warnakula. Later one of the lecturers in the course, Anula Bulathsinhala invited him to participate for the stage play Tharavo Igilethi.Warnakula has performed in over fifty stage plays, fifteen teleplays and twenty films, in addition to being a popular television actor. His most popular television acting came from Bodima and Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni. He also hosted Raigam Game Show several times which was telecasted on ITN. He and actor Rodney Fraser appeared together in the comedy series Two Rodneys, which was telecast on Sirasa TV. Warnakula has also enjoyed a lengthy singing career.
On 20 October 2011, Warnakula organized a musical night Sanda Eliyen Ada, to celebrate his 30 years of acting career. On that day, he launched his new music DVD, and the show was celebrated at the New Hall of Royal College, Colombo. On 18 May 2018, Warnakula organized a singing concert named Three Faces along with Kumara Thirimadura and Saman Lenin to celebrate his 37 years of stage drama career. The show will be held at the BMICH.
In 2020 during the CoVID-19 quarantine curfew period, his Facebook account has been hacked. Then, his Facebook friends and fans received messages asking for money by saying that he has a critical money emergency. However, Warnakula got informed about the hacker and sent messages not to give money. Later Warnakula made a new Facebook page. To celebrate his 40 years of drama career, he wrote his autobiography titled "Roddage Warna Kulaya".
Selected television serials
- Alli and Galli
- Bodima
- Dara Garage
- Dese Disnaya
- E Brain
- Game Viththi
- Laa Sanda Pamula
- Love You Boss
- Naana Kamare
- Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni
- On Ataka Nataka
- Raja Kaduwa
- Satakapata
- Sayaweni Patumaga
- Sedona
- Sikuru Awith
- Vinoda Samayan
- ''Wada Bari Daasa''
Selected stage dramas
- Gajaman Puwatha
- Gondola
- Naribana with Jasaya Saha Lenchina
- Madhura Javanika
- Minisa
- Naribana
- Saaranga Nawen Awith
- Sakisanda Madala
- Sudu Redi Horu
- ''Tharavo Igilethi''
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
| 2002 | Bahubuthayo | Bunty | |
| 2004 | Clean Out | Wickie | |
| 2007 | Ran Kevita | Devil | |
| 2007 | Sikuru Hathe | Sirimal | |
| 2009 | Sir Last Chance | Detective | |
| 2009 | Sinasuna Adaren | Lara | |
| 2010 | Tikiri Suwanda | Suran | |
| 2011 | Ethumai Methumai | Bothal Sira | |
| 2012 | Wassane Senehasa | Siripala | |
| 2012 | Super Six | commentator Rodney | |
| 2013 | Peeter One | Waiter Jonty | |
| 2013 | Seetha Man Awa | Gayida | |
| 2014 | Supiri Andare | Salman Khan | |
| 2015 | Gindari | Bunty | |
| 2015 | Suhada Koka | Sumanasiri | |
| 2015 | My Name Is Bandu | Raju | |
| 2016 | Natannethuwa Dinna | Premayaa | |
| 2017 | Ali Kathawa | Kinnara leader | |
| 2019 | Sikuru Yogaya | Piyadasa | |
| 2019 | President Super Star | multiple roles | |
| 2022 | Gindari 2 | Bunty | |
| 2023 | Kathuru Mithuru | Wilson's assistant | |
| 2024 | Weerya | ||
| 2024 | Jobless Douglas | Douglas | |
| 2025 | Kaasi Vaasi | Pinthu | |
| Gnanapala | |||