| Chandra Kaluarachchi | |
| Birth Name: | Chandra Kankanamage Kaluarachchi |
| Birth Date: | 6 April 1943 |
| Birth Place: | Narahenpita, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality: | Sri Lankan |
| Spouse: | Lakshman Wijesekara |
| Children: | Ama Wijesekara (Daughter) Vihanga Wijesekara (Son) |
| Occupation: | Film, Television, Radio and Stage actress |
Chandra Kankanamage Kaluarachchi (April 6, 1943 – November 1, 2019), popularly known as Chandra Kaluarachchi, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[1] Kaluarachchi is best known for performances in Welikathara (1971), Ira Madiyama (2003) and Nisala Gira (2007).
Chandra Kaluarachchi was born on 6 April 1943 and grew up in Narahenpita, near Colombo.
She died on 1 November 2019 at the age of 76.[2] She was married to musician and actor Lakshman Wijesekara. They had one daughter: Ama and one son: Vihanga.[3]
In the meantime the program named Lamapitiya was encouraged to pursue acting in radio. After leaving college she played the leading role in several Sri Lankan stage productions such as Wahalak Neti Geyak produced by dramatist Premaranjit Tilakaratne. It got recognition at the State Drama Festival 1964, where she won the Best Actress Award.[4] Chandra Kaluarachchi played a grandmother in the S. Karunaratne play Erabadu Mal Pottu Pipila in 1967.[5] Dayananda Gunawardena's Gajaman Puwatha, first in the genre of "docudrama", which he introduced to the Sinhala stage on 14 October 1975.[6] Since her debut role as a 19-year-old woman in Raththaran putha by Arnold Wickramasuriya in 1962,[7] Chandra was recognized for playing motherly and other figures on stage, film, radio and television serials.[8]
| Year | play | Writer ! | Role | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Monara Thenna | Dharmasri Munasinghe | Sanda | ||
| 2015 | Rangadena Kapuwo | Malaka Dewapriya | Hamine | [9] | |
| 2015 | Ekathena Kerakumae | Malaka Dewapriya | Manika | [10] |
| Year | Film | Role | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Dahasak Sithuvili | Nilanthi's aunt | [12] | |
| 1969 | Mokada Une | Hamine | ||
| 1969 | Romio Juliet Kathawak | [13] | ||
| 1969 | Bakmaha Deege | Panampallage Celestina Karunawathie | ||
| 1970 | Lakseta Kodiya | Rani Vandurumana | ||
| 1970 | Thunman Handiya | Sophie | ||
| 1970 | Sidadiyen Hayak | |||
| 1971 | Welikathara | Bathik dress discusser | ||
| 1972 | Singappuru Chali | |||
| 1973 | Mathara Achchi | Sumitra's mother | ||
| 1973 | Hathdinnath Tharu | Siripala's mother | ||
| 1974 | Sihasuna | |||
| 1974 | Jeewana Ganga | |||
| 1974 | Dinum Kanuwa | |||
| 1975 | Siril Malli | |||
| 1975 | Tharanga | Mrs. Silva | ||
| 1976 | Asha | |||
| 1976 | Mangala | |||
| 1978 | Selinage Walawwa | Selina's mother | ||
| 1978 | Sara | |||
| 1979 | Wasanthaye Dawasak | Kalu Ethano | ||
| 1980 | Para Dige | |||
| 1980 | Dandu Monara | Catherine | ||
| 1981 | Aradhana | |||
| 1981 | Vajira | Kamani's mother | ||
| 1982 | Re Manamali | |||
| 1983 | Muhudu Lihini | |||
| 1984 | Shirani | |||
| 1984 | Hima Kathara | |||
| 1986 | Athuru Mithuru | |||
| 1990 | Himagira | |||
| 1992 | Bajar Eke Chandiya | |||
| 1993 | Seilama | |||
| 1997 | Sudu Akka | |||
| 1994 | Yuwathipathi | Redi Nanda | ||
| 1999 | Pawuru Walalu | Alice 'Nona' | ||
| 2003 | Ira Madiyama | Duminda's mother | ||
| 2005 | Samanala Thatu | |||
| 2007 | Nisala Gira | Kudu Amma | ||
| 2015 | Bora Diya Pokuna | Desmond's mother |