Jackson Anthony's funeral to be held today

Hundreds of thousands of people came yesterday to pay their last respects including artists, politicians, religious leaders and fans.

Jackson Anthony who was 65 years old at the time of his death, met with an accident at Moragoda on Thalawa Road, Anuradhapura and died while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital for one year and two months.

Jackson Anthony was a multi-talented artist with expertise in acting, directing, producing, singing, songwriting and writing.

He was born on July 8, 1958, in the village of Ragama Podivy Kumbura. He received his education at Hapugoda Junior College, Bandarawela Saint Mary's, and Galahitiyava Madhya Maha Vidyalaya.

He earned an Honors Degree in Sinhala Language from the University of Colombo and a Master's Degree in Journalism from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

Jackson Anthony's career spanned across theater, television, and film. He made a significant impact on the stage, performing in various plays and contributing to the theater with his talent. Some of his notable theater productions include "Varuyan Mana" and "Manavayo," among others.

He transitioned from the stage to television, where he became a beloved figure through roles in TV dramas like "Ella Nad Karuva," "Kadulla," "Akala Sandhya," and "Pitagamkarayo."

In the world of cinema, Jackson Anthony made his debut in 1993 and acted in several films, including "Vishi Dela," "Loku Duva," "Gini Avi and Gini Keli," "Aswasuma," "Agnidahaya," and "Guerrilla Marketing." He received the Best Actor award an impressive 16 times during his career.

Jackson Anthony also made his mark as a film director, introducing historical narratives to Sri Lankan cinema. His films, such as "Juliet's Role," "Paradisaya," "Aba," and "Address Na," contributed significantly to the world of Sinhalese cinema.

In addition to his contributions to the arts, Jackson Anthony was also known for his innovations and fresh perspectives in the field.

Jackson Anthony leaves behind his loving wife, actress, and singer Kumari Munasinghe, and their children Sajitha Anuttara, Akila Dhanuddhara, and Madhavi Vatsala. His passing leaves a void in the world of art, but his legacy lives on through the artists he inspired and the contributions he made to Sri Lankan culture.