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Ronnie Leitch

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Ronnie Leitch
රොනී ලීච්
Born
Ronnie Luke Leitch

(1953-10-19)October 19, 1953
Dehiwela, Sri Lanka
Died1 October 2018(2018-10-01) (aged 64)
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesThattaya
Occupation(s)Dramatist, actor, singer, comedian, television presenter
Years active1972–2018
Spouse
Yvette Leitch
​
(m. 1986)​
ChildrenKeshan Leitch
Keshia Leitch
Websitehttps://ronnie-leitch.webs.com

Ronnie Luke Leitch (19 October 1953 – 1 October 2018 as රොනී ලීච්),[1] better known as Ronni Leitch and Thattaya (තට්ටයා), was a Sri Lankan actor,[2] comedian, singer, presenter and social activist. Largely popularized as a comedian, Leitch was also gained fame for singing over 350 songs,[3] most notably "Thattaya" and "Kauda Bole Alice".[4]

Family

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Leitch was born on 19 October 1953 in Dehiwela. His father died on 26 December 2017 and the funeral took place on 27 December at 4:00 PM at the Mount Lavinia Cemetery.[5]

He married his childhood sweetheart Yvette in 1986, and is the father of daughter Keshia and son Keshan.[6] Leitch met Yvette first in 1974 in Bellanvila, when their homes were situated in close proximity to each other. They married on 7 June 1986. Their first child, Keshia, was born on 17 September 1989.[7] Keshia married on 8 June 2017.[8] Keshia is a past pupil of Bishop's College, Colombo and Keshan is an old boy of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.He has a sister called Cheryl. [9]

Career

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Since the age of eight, Leitch made his foray into the entertainment industry by participating in an All Island Talent Contest.[10] He also worked in the Defense Ministry for six years at the time of his daughter's birth.[8]

Before entering acting, Leitch performed as a singer in many outdoor and indoor musical shows.[11] He engaged with many musical bands in the early 1980s,[12] such as Pioneers, Haze, Super Golden Chimes and Super Stars.[10][13] He had his first overseas tour in 1986 with Super Stars. In 1989, he rose to prominence by singing his most famous solo, "Thattaya". He performed the song by invitation of The Gypsies band leaders Sunil Perera and Piyal Perera.[8][14] With the huge popularity of the song, he decided to bald his head.

Leitch performed in many duets with Corrine Almeida and Mariazelle Gunathilake, which became popular hits such as "Atha Mita Kasi Panam".[15]

Apart from acting and singing, Leitch entered television hosting with the children's program Poddange Weda which was telecasted by Sirasa TV in 2016.

Leitch was an active social activist where he was involved in charity work and donations all across the country.[16] On 7 August 2010, he performed a musical night A Roaring Evening with Ronnie Leitch organized by The Lions Club of Athurugiriya Millennium City to raise the funds for financing community service projects.[17]

Leitch helped the Old Thomian Swimming Club (OTSC) of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in all musical "happenings" for 12 consecutive years, and also at Royal-Thomian Big Match in the OTSC Tent with the band Wild Flowers.[18]

Death

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Ronnie Leitch died on 1 October 2018 in Perth, while on a musical tour of Australia.[19] The cause of the death was revealed as cardiac arrest.[20] His remains were brought back to Sri Lanka on 10 October and kept at Jayaratne Florists for final rites. The body was finally buried at the Borella Cemetery on 11 October.[21]

Filmography

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Starting with Athin Athata in 1973, Leitch performed as a comedian in many films.[22] His most notable films are Re Daniel Dawal Migel and Cheriyo film series. His last film acting was in the 2018 film Yama Raja Siri, where he portrayed one of the main protagonists.

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Note
1983 Athin Athata Guitarist [23]
1986 Yali Hamuwennai Guitarist
1986 Dushyanthi Jagath
1996 Cheriyo Darling Meda Kess Playback singing [24]
1997 Savithrige Rathriya
1997 Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor Hari
1997 Ninja Sri Lanka
1998 Re Daniel Dawal Migel Cobra helper
2000 Re Daniel Dawal Migel 2 Cobra helper [25]
2000 Pem Kekula [26]
2001 Sellan Kukka [27]
2001 Jack And Jill Playback singing
2001 Kinihiriya Mal Mr. Shopman Playback singing[28]
2001 Hai Hui Babi Achchi Malu Kade Jora 'Wickramabahu Podi Appu'
2001 Jonsun and Gonsun Thatta Sira
2002 Onna Babo Mingwa Playback singing
2002 Love 2002
2003 Sepata Dukata Sunny Charlie
2003 Numba Nadan Apita Pissu Mr. Balthazar
2004 Clean Out Japan Thattaya
2004 Jolly Boys Tricked beachgoer
2006 Rana Hansi
2008 Ali Pancha Mage Mithura
2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela
2009 Leader
2010 Mago Digo Dai Dhanawansa [29]
2010 Thank You Berty Munidasa
2011 Ethumai Methumai
2011 It's a Matter of Love Jennifer's father [30][31]
2013 Kauda Machan Alice Thattaya Playback singing
2013 Raja Horu Manager
2014 Kosthapal Punyasoma Businessman
2015 Lantin Singho Playback singing
2015 My Name Is Bandu OIC
2016 Natannethuwa Dinna Gunda Playback singing
2017 Jolly Boys 2 Jimmy
2017 Sellam Nethnam Lellam
2017 Dr. Nawariyan Dhanapala
2018 Yama Raja Siri King Yama Last screened film before death
2018 Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru Police Inspector Posthumous release
2024 Sihinayaki Adare Posthumous release
2024 Buffalo Travels [32]
TBA Elakandiye Marcus † [33]
TBA Akasa Palama † [34]

Discography

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Albums

[edit]
Thattaya [35]
Tharu Wassa
Thattaya album included songs
No.TitleLength
1."Thattaya" (Album Version) 
2."Kauda Bole Alice" (Album Version) 
3."Andare" (Album Version) 
4."Bill Clinton" (Album Version) 
5."Api Katada Baya" (Album Version) 
6."Ai Api Kaluda" (Album Version) 
7."Bothale" (Album Version) 
8."Thatta Some" (Album Version) 
9."Sri Lanka Australia" (Album Version) 
10."Sudu Kelle" (Album Version) 
11."Bad Boy" (Album Version) 
12."Wechcha De" (Album Version) 
13."Man Giya Apaye" (Album Version) 
14."Paan" (Album Version) 
15."Ice Cream" (Album Version) 
16."Rae Mama" (Album Version) 
17."Nenda Maama" (Album Version) 

Solo Tracks

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No.TitleLength
1."Siseeliya" (with Rajiv Sebastian (2002 Baila Sessions in Sri Lanka album)) 
2."Srini Ape Lankawe" (2002 Pop Hits of Sri Lanka Vol. 3 album) 
3."Atha Mita Kasi Panam" (With Corrine Almeida) 
4."Nidimatha Mehe Na" (With Corrine Almeida) 
5."Adda Lanuwa" 
6."Deege Ada Wage" 
7."Lissala Yanne" 
8."Nonage Aale" 
9."Waada Baila" 
10."Darling My Love" 
11."Loka Shoorayo" 
12."Tikiri Malee" (with Sashini Iddamalgoda) 
13."Ah Ha Warella" (with Rodney Warnakula) 
14."Mage Hithe Tiyena" (with Kalawathi) 

References

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  1. ^ "Popular singer, comedian Ronnie Leitch has died". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Ronnie Leitch - Actor". National Film Corporation Of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Popular singer Ronnie Leitch has passed away". News First. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Death of Ronnie Leitch's father". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Ronnie Leitch passes away". Daily Mirror-mirrorcitizen. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Keshiya: From the daughter of 'thataya' to a rising star". colombogazette. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "No laughing matter!". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Old songs in danger - Ronnie". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. ^ a b "All-round Superstar Ronnie Leitch passes away". Pulse. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Big surprise for Mirage!". The Island. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Family Nite with Annesleys". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Album Tharu wessa". amazon. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  14. ^ "The Generations show: Never before on stage". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Mariazelle's 40 Bash unfolds today". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Wonderful sounds of the 70s". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  17. ^ "'Roaring Evening' with Ronnie". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  18. ^ "A Tribute to Ronnie Leitch – A Legend". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Popular Singer And Comedian Ronnie Leitch Passes Away In Australia Due To Sudden Illness". Asian Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Popular singer Ronnie Leitch passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Ronnie says good bye today". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Ronnie Leitch - රොනී ලීච් filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Full of stars and rings: Athin Athata". sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Cheriyo Darling - චෙරියෝ ඩාලින්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  25. ^ "Daniel and Migel appear again". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  26. ^ "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  27. ^ "'Sellankukka' for Christmas". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Kinihiriya Mal - කිනිහිරියා මල්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  29. ^ "Mago Digo Dai". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  30. ^ "ANARKALLI'S love on time." Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  31. ^ "ඉට්ස් අ මැටර් ඔෆ් ලව්". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  32. ^ "සංචාරයක අනපේක්ෂිත ගමනාන්තය". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  33. ^ "Tale of Elakandiye Marcus". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  34. ^ "Tale of Jack and Magical Beans in Sri Lankan way". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  35. ^ "Thattaya - Ronnie Leitch album". KND Enterprises. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
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