[7] Rathnayake was born on 5 February 1929 in Madawala village, Alawwa, Dambadeniya, Udu Kaha South Korale, Kurunegala.
[7] He started primary education at Alawwa Humbuluwa mixed school in 1935 and passed the junior examination in 1942.
[5] Then, he attended Kegalu Buddhist mixed English school for further education and passed the Senior Certificate Examination in 1945.
[4] In 1946, he wrote and published a poetry book titled Pem Amaa based on a love story in H.D.
In 1950, he joined with Lake House and worked as a reporter for "Lankadeepa" newspaper in Polgolla area.
[8] Since then, Rathanayake wrote many popular songs of Amaradeva, which include: "Kale Gahaka Mal Pipila", "Ranvan Karal Saleyi", "Bambareku Avayi Nirita Digeya", "Mindada Heesara" and "Swarna Vimaneta".
[3][5] In the same year, he made the radio program Jana Gaayana which was dedicated to the advancement of Sinhala folk music.
[1] In 1965, he won the Sarasaviya Award for the best lyrics for the film Getawarayo for the song "Heena Hathak Meda".
[2] In 1982, Rathnayake worked as the head of the entertainment department of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and retired from it in 1985.