Freddie Silva

Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu, popularly as Freddie Silva (Sinhala: ෆෙ‍්‍රඩී සිල්වා) (06 February 1938 – 29 October 2001), was a Sri Lankan film actor, and playback singer, who appeared from 1973 until 2002. Freddie was known for being one of the most popular Sri Lankan comedians of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in over 400 films and Produced 2 films, of which 300 were screened at the celebration of fifty years in Sinhala Cinema.
Biography.
Early life.
Silva was born Haupe Liyanage Athukorala Morris Joseph Ranabahu in Puvakaramba, Moratuwa, and was an only child. Silva's father was an overseer for the Moratuwa Urban Council and his mother was a member of Salvation Army. Growing up he was fascinated with singing and dancing. St. Sebastian's College was his Alma mater.
Musician.
In the 1950s Silva performed the Alanson Mendis composition "Bar Bar Bar" in front of Sir John Kotelawala and was warmly received. He used this opportunity to get a letter of recommendation from Kotelawala which he presented to Livy Wijemanne of Radio Ceylon to secure a job as a radio artist.
Silva's first recording was "Mottapala." He followed the song with "Bar Bar Bar" now updated with music by P. L. A. Somapala. It was a success. Subsequent efforts teamed Silva with the late Premakirthi de Alwis. Their work include comedic songs like "Aron Mama", "Pankiritta", "Nedeyo", "Handa Mama", "Kekille Rajjuruwo" and "Parana Coat" (from "Lokuma Hinawa"). Silva's crowning achievement is considered the tune "Kundumani."
Actor.
Silva got his first screen role through a chance meeting with K. A. W. Perera in 1963. At that time he was living with H. R. Jothipala and Roy de Silva and frequented parties as a guest entertainer. Perera cast Silva in "Suhada Sohoyuro" alongside L. S. Ramachandran and Vijitha Mallika. He appeared at a dance on the beach singing "Diya Rella Werale Hapi Hapi" with Pushparani who also died same week and went on to be cast in mainly comedic roles.
The serious side of Silva was seen in "Sekaya" (1965), "Lasanda" (1974) and "Sukiri kella" (1975). In the 1975 film he played a mentally handicapped character and in preparation for the role lived with a real handicapped boy in Koralawella.
By the 1980s, producers were reluctant to make a film without Silva fearing that the movie would flop. He was then living an extravagant life and saved little. In 1989 Silva was awarded the Ranathisara award by leading film weekly Sarasaviya. A turning moment came when his friend Vijaya Kumaratunga (who he appeared alongside in ten films the last being "Yukthiyada Shakthiyada") was murdered. He cites this event as leading to the downfall of cinema. Still Silva stayed busy appearing in 15 of the 26 films made in 1992.
Silva died on 29 October 2001 in Siddamulla.
Family.
Freddie Silva was a father of two children from his only marriage to Kamala Swarnalatha Prera. His son Janesh Silva was also an actor and a singer. Freddie's daughter Chandani Silva is a singer and actress. She is currently working to keep his father and brother's legacy. 
Janesh Silva was born on 26 January 1962 and attended to Carey College for studies. He was married to Hemamala and they have one son Janith Silva. Janesh died on June 10, 2012 while he was taking medical treatment for cancer. Janesh Silva is known as a comedian that acted in 10+ films.