Jayalath Manoratne (born Keselgaspe Manatunga Jayalath Manoratne; 12 June 1948 – 12 January 2020) was a widely respected Sri Lankan actor whose career spanned theatre, cinema and television. He was known for a versatility that allowed him to move between comic and tragic roles, and for a long-standing presence in the island's cultural life. His Sinhala name and original spelling are sometimes presented as කෙසෙල්ගස්පේ මනතුංග ජයලත් මනෝරත්න.

Career and notable works

Manoratne performed in many stage productions and became a familiar face to television audiences and filmgoers. His screen credits include popular titles and serials that reached broad audiences. Among the productions most often associated with him are the television series Doo Daruwo and films such as Handaya and Hiripoda Wassa. He maintained an active presence in theatre throughout his life, appearing in contemporary and classic plays that contributed to Sri Lanka's performing-arts scene.

Artistic approach and contributions

Colleagues and critics noted Manoratne's commitment to character development and his ability to convey complex emotions with economy. On stage he was praised for timing, presence and vocal clarity; on screen he adapted those strengths to a subtler style appropriate to film and television. Beyond performance, he was regarded as part of a generation of performers who helped sustain professional theatre and mentor younger actors in Sri Lanka.

Selected works

  • Doo Daruwo (television serial)
  • Handaya (film)
  • Hiripoda Wassa (film)

Personal life, death and legacy

Jayalath Manoratne was born in Nuwara Eliya and spent much of his life working across Sri Lanka's cultural centres. He died from brain cancer on 12 January 2020 in Maharagama, Colombo, at the age of 71. His passing was widely reported and prompted tributes from peers, younger performers and audiences who remembered his long contribution to stage and screen. For an overview of his life and career, see further biographical summaries and memorial pieces here. Contemporary reports of his death appeared in major Sri Lankan outlets and are archived here.