Aluthge Don Ranjith Kumara (Sinhala: රංජිත් කුමාර; 7 April 1947 – 10 May 2024) was a Sri Lankan film journalist and editor.
[1] One of the earliest pillars in Sinhala cinema journalism,[2] Kumara contributed as an author, publisher, editor, feature writer, illustrator, art director and choreographer in a career which spanned over five decades.
[10] His passion for cover designing came at early age, where he saw his uncle Gunaratne Mathupala worked as a commercial artiste in his father's press.
[10] In the meantime, he made a short film called Vera with his school friends, where the premiere was held in the Lionel Wendt Theatre.
[3] In the film Nim Wallalla, Kumara worked as the assistant director and art director, along with a group of Anandians: Ranjith Lal, Dilman Jayaratne, Gamini Wijetunga, Mahinda Algama, Bandula Padmakumara, Premakeerthi de Alwis, Kularatne Ariyawansa, Keerthi Balasuriya, Ratnasiri Rajapaksa and Sunil Madhava Prematilake.
[9] In 1960, Kumara joined Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and made Kanitu Sarasaviya program.
At the same time, Kumara worked as the marketing manager and feature writer of "Lakbima" newspaper.
[3][10] Ranjith Kumara was born on 7 April 1947 in Kosgas Handiya, Grandpass, Ceylon as the eldest child of a family of four siblings.
[6][18] The couple has one son: Dr. Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara, who is also a journalist, film critic, and author as well as the Sarasaviya Editor.
[19] Kumara died on 10 May 2024, at the age of 77, while receiving treatments at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.