The final rites of veteran artiste Jackson Anthony will take place at 03.00 p.m. today at the St. Peter & Paul’s Church in Ragama.

The remains of the actor which were placed at a private funeral parlour in Colombo were brought to his residence in Kadawatha yesterday (11).

Hundreds of thousands of people including artistes, politicians, religious leaders and others came to pay their last respects to the late actor.

Mr. 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.

On July 22, 2022, the cab in which he and two others were travelling in, collided with an elephant in Moragoda. The injured were admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital. Mr. Anthony was airlifted to the Colombo National Hospital for further treatment, after which he was treated in the Intensive Care Unit for 14 months.

Mr. Anthony possessed vast experience in the fields of language, literature, history, art, etc. and was an actor who has conquered cinema, stage and television in Sri Lanka. Apart from acting, he also excelled in directing, producing, screenwriting, singing, novel writing, column writing and songwriting.

He was also a famous critic, explorer, historian and presenter. Jackson managed to set a record by winning the best actor award in Sri Lanka 16 times.

As a child, his parents called him Malsi and he received his education from the Hapugoda Primary College and the Bandarawela St. Mary’s College.

He attended the Galahitiyawa Central College, Ganemulla and then was selected to the Colombo University.

Jackson, who first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala language and literature, went on to obtain a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Mr. Anthony was an artist who acted in many popular stage dramas such as Varwuen Yana Minisun, Manavayo, Methanin Maravenu, Marasad, Madura Javanika, Loma Hansa, Dhavala Bhishana, Aeth, Mora and Tharawo Igilethi.

Jackson, who showed his talent in films like Guru Gedera, Ayoma, Loku Duva, Bhavaduka, Bhava Karma, Gani Avi saha Gini Keli, Aswasuma, Agnidahaya, Suriya Arana, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara contributed to many television productions such as Palingu Manike, Ella langa Walawva, Suseema, Weda Hamine, Kadulla, Akala Sandhya and Pitagamkarayo.

Mr. Anthony, who also mastered the subject of dance, later entered into directing by directing the drama Esala Kaluvara and also directed films like Julietge Bhumikawa,Paradisaya, Aba and Address Ne. Many of his works have won local and foreign awards.