Jagath Manuwarna

Manuwarna was born in Galaha, Kandy, Sri Lanka.^[3] He completed education from Delthota Central College, Kandy. After school life, he entered Tower Hall Drama School, Colombo and learned drama and theatre. In 2003, he joined Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation where he worked as a presenter.^{[citation needed]}

As a filmmaker, Manuwarna directed his maiden short film Gindara Poddak which won the award for the Best Short Film in 2006 Guerilla Film Festival, Sri Lanka.^[3] Then he directed two short films: Water Lily, Playing Cards and Cleansing, where first two dramas received the award for ‘Best Short Film’ at the Agenda Short Film Festival in the years 2011 and 2012.^{[citation needed]} He has acted in the television serials such as: Kodi Gaha Yata, Sahodaraya, Koombiyo, A/L Iwarai and Eka Langa Kotu.

In 2017, he directed his maiden feature film Whispering Mountains, which was screened in 2023.^[4] The film received positive reviews from critics and the film won the NETPAC Award for the best Asian feature film at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023.^[5][6][7][8] Manuwarna later won the award for the Best Director in the Asian Competition Section of the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival for the film.^[9][10]

In 2021, he directed the television serial Kodi Gaha Yata which was telecast on Independent Television Network.^[11] On 28 April 2024, he was accidentally shot during a shoot at the film set of Father directed by Chaminda Jayasuriya. He was immediately transported to Colombo Hospital for treatment with a minor injury.^[12]

In March 2022, Manuwarna along with Lahiru Weerasekera, Rathindu Senaratne, Dhammika Munasinghe, Venerable Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero, Eranga Gunasekera, and Jehan Appuhamy were surrendered to the Maradana Police via counsel after an illegal assembly opposite.^[13]

In November 2024, he contested for the 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from Kandy district as a member of the National People's Power.^[14] Manuwarna was elected to the parliament in the election representing Kandy Electoral District.^[15]