1. Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga, popularly known as Vijaya Kumaratunga, was a Sri Lankan actor, playback singer and politician regarded as one of the most popular icons in Sri Lankan cinema of all time.
19 Facts About Vijaya Kumaratunga
1. 2.
Vijaya Kumaratunga was married to former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaranatunga from 1978 until his assassination in 1988.
3.
Vijaya Kumaratunga was the founder of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party.
4.
Kovilage Anton Vijaya Kumaranatunga was born on 9 October 1945, at the government hospital in Ragama to Roman Catholic parents.
5.
Vijaya Kumaratunga's father was Kovilage Benjamin Kumaratunga, a village headmen and mother was Clara Beatrice Perera.
6.
The youngest of four siblings, Vijaya Kumaratunga had two elder brothers: Sydney and Vivian and one elder sister: Rupa.
7.
Vijaya Kumaratunga received his primary education at Seeduwa Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya, secondary education at St Benedict's College, Kotahena and De Mazenod College, Kandana.
8.
Vijaya Kumaratunga first appears in a lead role as a university student named Bandu in the 1969 blockbuster Hanthane Kathawa directed by Sugathapala Senarath Yapa.
9.
Vijaya Kumaratunga acted in one English-language film, The God King, and one Tamil film, Nanguram.
10.
Vijaya Kumaratunga performed as a playback singer in several films; recorded more than 100 songs; and produced two films, Waradata Danduwam and Samawa which was released after his death.
11.
In 1974, Vijaya Kumaratunga started his political career in the Lanka Sama Samaja Party.
12.
Vijaya Kumaratunga later joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and became its vice secretary.
13.
Vijaya Kumaratunga ran as the SLFP candidate in a by-election in Mahara in 1983 and was threatened by United National Party supporters.
14.
Vijaya Kumaratunga won the first vote count, and a recount was ordered.
15.
Vijaya Kumaratunga visited the Nallur Murugan Temple and met with local Tamil civilians, as well as several LTTE youth leaders.
16.
On 20 February 1978, Vijaya Kumaratunga married Chandrika Bandaranaike, with whom he had two children.
17.
Vijaya Kumaratunga is adored as an honest politician, talented actor and singer and more importantly as a very good human.
18.
Vijaya Kumaratunga was shot in the head with a Type 56 assault rifle outside his home on the outskirts of Colombo on 16 February 1988 by Lionel Ranasinghe, alias Gamini.
19.
Vijaya Kumaratunga's death is still mourned by many people in Sri Lanka.