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Ruwan Costa
රුවන් කොස්තා
Born
Chalitha Ruwan Costa

(1967-05-08) 8 May 1967 (age 57)
Mawanella, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationKingswood College, Kandy
Occupation(s)Cinematographer, TV Commercial Director, Documentary Filmmaker, Company Director
Years active1984–present
Spouse
Dhammika Kumari Warshakoon
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3
AwardsBest Cinematographer

Chalitha Ruwan Costa (born 8 May 1967 as රුවන් කොස්තා), is a Sri Lankan cinematographer and cameraman known for his works in Sinhala-language cinema.[1] Often considered as one of the leading cinematographers in Sinhala cinema,[2][3] his best known works in Sinhala cinema include: Agnidahaya (2002), Guerilla Marketing (2005),[4] Sankranthi (2007), Sikuru Hathe (2007), Samige Kathawa (2014), and Adaraneeya Kathawak (2017).[5] In a career spanning more than three decades, Costa worked as the director of photography on 26 Films and about 5000 AUP television productions, 3000 AUP television and film commercials.[6]

Personal life

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He was born on 8 May 1967 in Mawanella, Kegalle, Sri Lanka as the youngest of the family with one sibling. His father Ronal Costa is a Fire & Safety Consultant and his mother Heenmanike Wijeratne is a house wife. He has one sister. He completed education from Kingswood College, Kandy.

He is married to Dhammika Kumari Warshakoon where the wedding was celebrated in 1992 after seven years of affair. The couple has three sons.[7]

Career

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While studying at Kingswood College, Costa joined the photography society of the school. During this time, he accompanied with his sister for her photography course under the guidance of parents. After completing Advanced level examination, he started to work with still camera to cover many photographic events such as parties and weddings. A group of friends made a new production of Ediriweera Sarachchandra's play Kapuwa Kapothi where Costa played the role of "Manis Mudalali" in it. Then he did a course called Film and Television at the Sathyodaya Foundation in Kandy.[7] In the meantime, Costa joined the Diploma in Cinema conducted Sri Lankan branch of International Catholic Communication Organization for Cinema called "OCIC" organized by the late Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota. During the diploma, he got the opportunity to study cinematography from renowned cinematographer Andrew Jayamanna and also worked in local television channels and studios.[8] Then he joined as the assistant cameraman for the television serial Samuganime Nawathena directed by Kapila Kumara Kalinga.[7]

After that OCIC course, he moved to film direction where he made the short film Awarjana in 1985. The short received critics acclaim and later won both OCIC and UNDA awards for best short film.[8] The short is the only one act which won the award for the best apprentice creation for that year through which he gained The Fellowship of OCIC. At that time, Costa directed another short film for OCIC called Netha Viramayak.[7] In 1986, Costa won the OCIC Award for best Camera Director and Lighting for the television serial Nonagathayaka Nimawa. During this period in 1986, he met the filmmaker Bennett Rathnayake where he worked as the second assistant director in his film Sayuren Eha. After establishing the film production house called Benn Films, Costa joined as the camera director. In 1991, he received the 'Abinandana' Award of UNDA. He won the OCIC Award for best Camera Director for the year 1996-1998 for the TV serial Nonagathayaka Nimawa. During the same time, he won the OCIC Award for best Camera Director and Lighting for the television serial Arundathi.

Later he worked as one of the four cameramen in the film Dhawala Rathriya directed by Sudath Mahaadivulwewa in 1989.[7] Later in 1999, Costa met the renowned director Jayantha Chandrasiri and worked as the cameraman of his teledrama Rejina in 2000. For that serial, he won the Signis (OCIC) Award for best Camera Direction as well.[8] Since then, he worked in almost all cinematic directions of Chandrasiri. In the year 2000, he was awarded the Abinandana Award for best Camera Direction at Sumathi Awards for the serial Wanaspathi. In the next year, Costa won the same award for the television serial Yugavilakkuwa. Costa won the 2002 Award for best Cinematographer in 2002 at the Sarasaviya Awards for his work in the critics acclaimed film Agnidahaya.[7] For the same film, he later won the Award for best Cinematographer at the Signis (OCIC) film festival. In 2002, Costa made his maiden cinematography with Chandrasiri's film Agnidahaya. The film made his mark in cinema, where he won the Sarasaviya award and UNDA award for the best Cinematographer. In 2004 he worked in the mystery teleplay Dhawala Kanya directed by Anuruddha Jayasinghe.[9] In that year, he won the award for the best Camera Direction at three award ceremonies: the State Television Festival, the Signis (OCIC) festival and Raigam Tele'es. Later in 2005, Costa won the Signis (OCIC) Award for best Camera Direction and Lighting Direction and award for the Best Camera and Lighting Director for the same teleplay at the State Television Festival.

Then in the same year, he handled the camera for the serial Jeevithayata Ida Denna and won the award for the best Camera Direction at the State Television Festival. In that year, Costa collaborated with another two prominent cinematographers: Channa Deshapriya Wickramatantri & N.A Palitha Perera to establish a cinematography company titled "Magic Lantern". In 2007, he received the Award for the best Documentary Camera Director at the State Television Festival. After many works in television, Costa again moved to cinema and worked as the cinematographer for the drama film Sankranthi directed by Anuruddha Jayasinghe. The film received positive reviews from critics where the film was screened at the 34th International Indian Film Festival in December 2006.[10] Later in 2008, he won the Signis (OCIC) Award best Cinematographer.[8]

Costa joined with Chandrasiri back with the television serial Sathara Denek Senpathiyo which was telecast on Jathika Rupavahini.[11] The serial received numerous awards at many drama festivals whereas Costa won the award for the best Camera Director at the State Television Festival. In 2012, he worked with the musical feature film Samanala Sandhawaniya directed by Chandrasiri.[12] Costa won the Signis (OCIC) best Cinematographer for the film in that year. After that, he joined with Priyankara Vittanachchi to handle the camera for the film Samige Kathawa.[13] The film had many positive reviews from local and international critics[14] and won both local and international awards including Signis (OCIC) best Cinematographer which was won the by Costa.[15]

In 2015 he collaborated with Chandrasiri for another film, Maharaja Gemunu where Costa won the award for the best Cinematographer at the Sarasaviya Film Awards.[16] In the next year, he won a Merit Award for camera direction of the film Adaraniya Kathawak at the 19th Presidential Film Festival.[17] In 2018, he worked in the film Kandak Sema with the Japanese crew and international cinematography standards. The film is yet to release in Sri Lanka. In 2020 at the NICE International Film Festival, Costa won the award for the Best Cinematography in a Foreign Language Film for the film Dada Ima.[18][19]

Apart from cinema and television, Costa also worked extensively in many popular commercials.[8] He also worked as the cinematographer of the short film Frozen Heart directed by Tharindu Lokuarachchi.[20]

Teledramas

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  • Avarjanaa
  • Abi Samaya
  • Ayamawaru
  • Dadaman Soya
  • Dahas Gavu Dura
  • Dandelu Gini
  • Dhawala Kanya
  • Dhawala Rathriya
  • Gamen Awith
  • Grahanaya
  • Hatharadenek Senpathiyo [21]
  • Jeevithayata Ida Denna
  • Linda Mariya Magdelena
  • Manu Kakapura
  • Meeduma
  • Nethra Mangallaya
  • Nisalavila
  • Nonagatheka Nimawak
  • Rejina
  • Saddhi Viharaya
  • Sangili Palama
  • Sathweni Rala
  • Wanas Pathi
  • Yasodaranamwu Aye
  • Yuga Vilakkuwa

Filmography

[edit]
Year Film Ref.
2002 Agnidahaya [22]
2004 Rajjumala [23]
2005 Dhawala Duvili
2005 Guerilla Marketing [24]
2005 Sudu Kalu Saha Alu [25]
2006 Nilambare [26]
2007 Sankranthi [27]
2007 Aganthukaya [28]
2007 Sikuru Hathe [29]
2011 King Hunther [30]
2012 Super Six [31]
2013 Samanala Sandhawaniya [32]
2013 Peeter One [33]
2014 Samige Kathawa [34]
2014 Ko Mark No Mark [35]
2015 Maharaja Gemunu [36]
2016 Adaraneeya Kathawak [37]
2017 Heena Hoyana Samanallu [38]
2017 A Level [39]
2018 Nela [40]
2022 Ashawari [41][42]
2023 Kandak Sema
2023 Kathuru Mithuru [43]
2023 Dada Ima [44]
2024 My Red Comrade
TBD Mandaraa [45]
TBD Sihina Abhisheka
TBD Sihina Lowen
TBD Sooriya Sulaga
TBD Devi Kusumasana

References

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  1. ^ "Ruwan Costa - රුවන් කොස්තා - Sinhala Cinema Database". www.films.lk. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Wide Angle Video Academy". wideangle.lk. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  3. ^ Thushi. "Forgotten People Who Worried To Enjoy The People - The Story Of The Artists Behind The Movies". theleader.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Ruwan Costa". BFI. Retrieved 18 April 2022.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Ruwan Costa". MUBI. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Ruwan Costa". Moviefit. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "The director's dream is the responsibility of the cameraman: Award-winning cinematographer Ruwan Costa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "We can compete any international standard; Costa". Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  9. ^ "'Dhawala Kanya' : A mystery story". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Anuruddha's maiden effort honoured in India". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  11. ^ "'Sathara Denek Senpathiyo' a fact and a fiction from Jayantha". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  12. ^ "I had a love of my own that was not mine - the Butterfly Symphony". cinema.lk. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Sam's story will be on the Rhythm Board from tomorrow". Cinema.lk. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Comment: Samige Kathawa". The Island. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Samige Kathawa (Sam's Story)". cultura.lk. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  16. ^ "A starry night ..." දිනමිණ. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Winners of the 19th Presidential Awards". සිළුමිණ (in Sinhala). 1 August 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  18. ^ kelum. "Ruwan Costa wins international award for "Dada Ima"". sinhala.srilankamirror.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Ruwan Costa wins French award for Dada Ima". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  20. ^ abhisheka. ""Frozen Heart" on Tharangani". www.mirrorarts.lk (in Sinhala). Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  21. ^ "Return of the Reviver". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Description of Sinhala cinema". 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Rajjumala:Anura's third film". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Jayantha's 'Guerilla Marketing' ready for release". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  25. ^ "'Shades of Ash' in fifth week". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Description of Sinhala cinema". archives.sarasaviya.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Sankranthi a tale of a trio". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Vasantha returns with 'Aganthukaya'". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  29. ^ "'Sikuru Hathe' kicks off". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  30. ^ "සිංහල සිනමා විස්තරය". 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  31. ^ "'Super Six' to hit a six". sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  32. ^ "Meledious "Samanala Sandhawaniya" unspools on friday". Retrieved 18 April 2022 – via PressReader.
  33. ^ "Bandu is back with Peter ONE". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  34. ^ "'Sam's Story' showing now". Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  35. ^ "සිංහල සිනමා විස්තරය". 18 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  36. ^ "The 33rd Sarasaviya Film Awards 2016 culminates with : A star-studded night". Sunday Observer. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  37. ^ "'Adaraneeya Kathawak' completes shooting". Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  38. ^ "Butterflies dreaming of flying in search of a good movie". www.ada.lk (in Sinhala). Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  39. ^ "A Level then and today are the same levels". 7 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  40. ^ "At Bennett's 'Nela' Screening". archives.sarasaviya.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  41. ^ "Ashavari, in cinemas all over the island". Cinema.lk. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  42. ^ "Stories told on the day of the Ashavari screening". divaina.lk. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  43. ^ "Cinema Somnasa Sinhala Film Festival from September 04–09 Courtesy University & Scope Cinema Complex". Silumina. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  44. ^ "My aim is to bring Swarna Mallawarachchi back to cinema: 'Dada Ima' Director Specialist Dr. Nomal Fernando". Silumina. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Sakuni who became popular with the small screen audience To the silver screen with 'Mandara'". Silumina. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
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