Lionel Wickrama

After school days, he worked as a Senior Technical Officer at Highways Department. Lionel Wickrama was married to Swarna Wickrama, and the couple had two sons: Tharaka Sanjey Wickrama and Yasiru Dananjey Wickrama. His remains were laid to rest on 17 December at Murutalawa, Kandy for public honors. His final rites were performed at Pirimathalawa Giragama Public Cemetery on 18 December 2023. == Career ==

While working in the Highways Department, Wickrama worked with the actor Somasiri Dehipitiya. Then he was introduced to popular actor Gamini Fonseka and got the opportunity to act in the 1981 film Sagarayak Maeda and then in 1982 film Sakvithi Suwaya, both directed by Fonseka. During this period, he met renowned filmmaker Dharmasena Pathiraja and became a close friend. In television, he acted in more than 200 serials particularly in elderly evil characters. Along with Pathiraja, he produced and acted in the serial Gangulen Egodata which marked his first television role. The serial was made as the first television serial of Sri Lanka, but televised as the fourth serial. In the serial Batti, he played the harsh stubborn elderly character "Arty Hamu", which became very popular. Initially the role was set to end with 20 episodes, but later expanded to 400 episodes due to huge popularity. In 2016, he played the role as "forest monk" in a serial. ==Filmography==

Film Selected television serials • Alu Baduna • Batti • Boradiya Kandura • Ella Langa Walawwa • Gangulen Egodata • Himi Nethi Wasanthaya • Hiru Thaniwela ( Hiru TV ) • Kadulla • Kampitha Vil • Nenala • Pawena Yakada • Pini Aga Pulingu • Reedi Tharaka • Sepalika • Sillara Kasi • Urumayaka Aragalaya ==References==