Actor Rahal Bulathsinghala passes away

Veteran character actor Rahal Bulathsinghala, who left an indelible mark in the hearts of Sri Lankan teledrama and cinema audiences as 'Loku Hamuduruwo' (Chief Monk), bid farewell to the stage of life today (22). He was also the beloved husband of veteran actress and comedian Susila Kottage, who won everyone's love in the country's art scene.

He was a resident of the Mulleriyawa area and was approximately seventy-three years old at the time of his death.

Rahal Bulathsinghala was someone who entered the art field from a background entirely different from a traditional acting journey. Influenced by his father, who was an army officer, he initially intended to join the security forces. However, he began his professional career as a prison officer. After serving in the Department of Prisons for about twenty-two years, he later entered the field of art.

His personal life story, which entered the art world through stage plays, also consisted of remarkable turning points. At one stage, due to feelings of defeat and pain in love, he had even decided to enter monastic life. However, the love and bond he found with Susila Kottage during his stage play activities managed to completely change the course of his life.

He gained significant popularity and audience respect as an actor through the character of Loku Hamuduruwo (Chief Monk) in the teledrama 'Nadagamkarayo', which aired in 2021 and 2022. He always strived to do maximum justice to the roles he received, making a profoundly deep commitment for this monk character by even changing his diet and lifestyle. Additionally, his performances as Podi Mahaththaya in 'Kopi Kade' and in teledramas like 'Kodi Gaha Yata' remain in the audience's memory.

In addition to television, Rahal Bulathsinghala also marked his talent in cinema, starting his film journey with 'Rodeya' released in 1995, and contributing his acting to films such as 'Pem Mal Mala' (1997), 'Left Right Sir' (2004), 'Que Sera' (2014), 'Sama Kumara Kathawa' (2019), and more recently 'Theja'. This year (2026), he also brought to life the character of a senior monk in the short film 'The Empty Robe'.

He had shared his experiences from his prison job, his dedication to the monk character, and interesting aspects of his personal life with audiences through media programs such as 'Ma Bala Kale' on Neth FM Radio, and 'Adaraneeya Jeewithaya' and 'Asanga Live' on Siyatha TV. The departure of Rahal Bulathsinghala, who traversed various roles in life and finally brought a character to life with his utmost dedication, earning the respect and admiration of Sri Lankan audiences as a unique actor, is a silent loss to the local art scene.