Remembering Vijaya Kumaratunga: The eternal star on his birthday

Today (9) marks the birthday of Vijaya Kumaratunga, an indelible figure in Sri Lankan cinema and politics.

Although his life was tragically short, ending at the age of 43, his exceptional contributions to arts and society continue to be cherished by the public.

Vijaya Kumaratunga's acting career was remarkably successful, evidenced by his unparalleled achievement of winning the Sarasaviya Most Popular Actor award for six consecutive years from 1983 to 1988. Such was his popularity that eight of his films were released after his death.

He contributed to over 120 films, starring as the protagonist in most of them. The on-screen partnership he forged with popular actress Malini Fonseka created the "Vijaya-Malini Era," a significant milestone in Sri Lankan cinema history. Beyond the traditional screen, Vijaya demonstrated his multilingual acting talent by appearing in one English film (The God King) and one Tamil film (Nāṅgūram).

In addition to acting, Vijaya Kumaratunga was an accomplished singer, having recorded over 100 songs and contributed background vocals to several films.

Vijaya Kumāratunga’s political life was equally vibrant and turbulent. After leaving the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), he founded the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP) in 1984. His marriage in 1978 to Chandrikā Baṇḍāranāyakē, who would later become the President of Sri Lanka, made them a prominent political couple of the time.

His political career was not without risk. Following the 1982 presidential campaign, Vijaya was imprisoned under emergency regulations on charges of being a "Naxalite" but was later released without any charges being filed.

Vijaya Kumaratunga was actively involved in efforts to resolve Sri Lanka's civil conflict. He is recorded as the only Sri Lankan mediator allowed to enter LTTE-controlled areas to secure the unconditional release of war prisoners, including two army officers. This demonstrated the immense trust and popularity he commanded even among the Tamil population.

Sadly, the life of this beloved artist and politician came to an abrupt end on 16 February 1988, when he was assassinated outside his home in Colombo. Vijaya Kumaratunga’s body was cremated with state honours at Independence Square. He remains an enduring figure, cherished by the people for his profound contributions to both art and the nation's political landscape.