Ramya Wanigasekara Explained
Ramya Wanigasekara |
Native Name Lang: | si |
Birth Date: | 17 July 1950 |
Birth Place: | Kotiyakumbura, Ceylon |
Death Place: | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Nationality: | Sri Lankan |
Education: | Pindeniya Vidyachakrawarthi Central College |
Years Active: | 1974–2024 |
Children: | One daughter |
Occupation: | Actress, dubbing artist |
Ramya Wanigasekara (Sinhala; Sinhalese: රම්යා වනිගසේකර; 17 July 1950 – 8 March 2024) was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television.[1] A pioneer of Sri Lankan radio,[2] she was a Radio Ceylon news reader for more than two decades.[3] She was also a playback singer.[4]
Personal life
Wanigasekara was born on 17 July 1950 in Kotiyakumbura, Kegalle as the fifth child in a family of seven siblings. Her father, from Hettimulla, Kegalle was an estate superintendent and her mother was from Eheliyagoda. Ramya had two elder sisters, two elder brothers and two younger brothers. She started primary education at Ampe Maha Vidyalaya, Kotiyakumbura. After attending Pindeniya vidyachakrawarthi national colage, she finally completed her education at Ruwanwella Royal College.[5]
Wanigasekara was married to dramatist R. R. Samarakoon.[6] Samarakoon was born on 14 August 1939 in Dekinda village, Nawalapitiya.[7] He started primary education at St Andrew's College, Nawalapitiya and secondary education at Kingswood College, Kandy.[8] Samarakoon died in 2010.[9]
The affair started during the stage play Kelani Palama. The couple had one daughter, Buddhika Mudithani. Buddhika acted in Kelani Palama in little age as "Surangani". She excelled at stage costume designing.[10]
Career
Wanigasekara entered drama as a stage playback singer with the 1974 stage play Hewayo produced by Chandi Gunathilake. After that she became the background singer in many stage plays produced by Jayatissa Alahakoon.[11] In 1976, she first acted in Ranjith Dharmakeerthi's play Hasthiraja Mahaththaya with a minor role. After that she got the opportunity to sing background songs for Dharmakeerthi's play Angara Ganga Gala Basi with music composition by Premasiri Khemadasa. She also acted in that play in some accidental moments.
In 1978, her breakthrough in stage drama came through the play Mana Ranjana Weda Warjana directed by Chula Kariyawasam with the role "Gunawathi". At that time veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi was pregnant, and so her role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama was given to Wanigasekara by producer and future husband R. R. Samarakoon.[12] Then, she acted in Samarakoon's plays Ahasin Watunu Minissu (1971), Idama (1975), Jailer Unnahe (1986), Doowili (1990) and Raja Kathawa (1991). Later she acted in a number of plays including Sanda Kinduri, Muhudu Puththu, Ma Hene Reeri Yaka,[13] Liyathambara, Siri Sangabo and Hiru Nathi Lowa. She played the role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama for 41 consecutive years.[14]
In 1980, she joined Radio Ceylon to host the programme Thakshilawa. The programme contained poetry, singing, drama, and news. Beginning in 1981, she was a regular news anchor until she retired in 2006. Later, in 2008 she worked on a contract basis at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and worked as a relief newscaster. She was also Radio A-Grade Nurti singer.
In 1983, Wanigasekara was also a member of the first drama group of Dharmasena Pathiraja's documentary Gangulen Egodata on epilepsy. The play won a gold medal at a documentary competition in Germany. Later, she acted in many critically acclaimed roles in television serials such as Kande Gedara, Palingu Menike, Menik Nadiya Gala Basi, Denuwara Menike, Paba, Aluth Gedara and comedy sitcom Yes Boss. Her role in Dhamma Jagoda's Palingu Menike became the milestone in her teledrama career.
On 26 October 2019, the 40th Anniversary of the stage play Kelani Palama was celebrated at the Panibharatha Hall of the University of the Aesthetics at 3.30 pm with the title 40 Wasaraka Rangabhinandanaya.[15] The play was first staged on 25 October 1978 at the Lumbini Theatre. In 2019, The Janabhimani or Hela Maha Rawana Rajabhimani Awards Ceremony was held at the Jasmine Auditorium at the BMICH where Wanigasekara won the Best Service Award.[16]
Death
Wanigasekara died on 8 March 2024, at the age of 73, while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.[17] [18]
Select television serials
- Ahankara Nagarae [19]
- Ahas Gawwa
- Aluth Gedara
- Amarabandu Rupasinghe
- Ammavarune
- Chandi Kumarihami [20]
- Denuwara Menike
- Diyaniyo [21]
- Indi Vata Addara [22]
- Kande Gedara [23]
- Koombiyo
- Maunayagaya
- Menik Nadiya Gala Basi [24]
- Nenala [25]
- Palingu Menike
- Paba
- Pehesara
- Rathu Ahasa [26]
- Salsapuna
- Sikuru Wasanthe [27]
- Thurya [28]
- Yes Boss
Filmography
Awards
Wanigasekara won several awards at local festivals.
State
|-|| 1991 ||| Kande Gedara || Popular woman on stage and teledrama || |-|| 1993 ||| || Most Popular Actress ||
OCIC
|-|| 1994 ||| Kande Gedara || Most Popular Actress ||
State Drama Festival
|-|| 1995 ||| Lihini || Best Supporting Actress ||
Other
|-|| 1990 ||| Lankadeepa Vijaya Awards || Most Popular Actress || |-|| 1991 ||| Lankadeepa Vijaya Awards || Most Popular Actress || |-|| 2009 ||| || Liya Varuna Award || |-|| 2010 ||| Paba || ITN Award || |-|| 2010 ||| Contribution to drama || Kalabhushana Award ||
Presidential
|-|| 1994/95 ||| News Reading || Best News Anchor ||
Sumathi
|-|| 2003 ||| || ||
|-|| 2013 ||| Contribution to television || National Award ||
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Ramya Wanigasekara filmography . Sinhala Cinema Database . 12 August 2020 . 28 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200128220739/http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-ramya-wanigasekara-516.html . live .
- Web site: සම්මානනීය නිවේදිකා හා රංගන ශිල්පිනි රම්යා වනිගසේකර දිවිසැරියට සමුදෙයි . 17 March 2024 . Sarasaviya .
- Web site: රම්යාගේ සුරම්ය වූ රැඟුම් . 2 December 2020 . Sarasaviya . 26 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126160907/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/stage-dramas-story/2020/10/22/19260/%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BA-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%96-%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%9F%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A . live .
- Web site: Who else can do what I did - Ramya Wanigasekara . Deshaya . 12 February 2020 . 19 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191219102551/http://www.deshaya.lk/article/52/%E0%B7%84%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%BB/13397/%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%B8-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94-%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%9A%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8A--%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%A7%E0%B6%AF-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%85%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A---%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BB . live .
- Web site: I remember my life . Hiru FM . 12 February 2020 . 8 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308162010/https://gossip.hirufm.lk/33021/2019/05/ramya-vanigasekara.html . live .
- Web site: The Kelani Palama is a milestone in my life . Tharunie . 12 February 2020 . 17 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191217080333/http://www.tharunie.lk/%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%9C%E0%B7%80/2019/10/16/2160/%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%AB%E0%B7%92-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%B8-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%93%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B7%81%E0%B7%9A%E0%B7%82%E0%B7%93-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%A9-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8A . live .
- Web site: From the fond memory of Ramya Wanigasekara about RR Samarakoon . Sarasaviya . 12 February 2020 . 22 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231122070801/https://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2016/08/11/?fn=sa1608113 . live .
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- Web site: 17 November 2017 . My voice and beauty remain in the hearts of people ...... - Veteran artist Ramya Wanigasekara . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230210329/https://divaina.com/daily/index.php/visheshanga3/3068-2017-11-16-12-36-51 . 30 December 2019 . 12 February 2020 . divaina.com . Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd.
- Web site: Multi faceted Ramya Wanigasekara . Daily Mirror . 14 August 2020 . 8 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308162041/https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20130318/282862253324419 . live .
- Web site: All aspects of art are important to me . Silumina . 12 February 2020 . 8 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200808085903/http://www.silumina.lk/2019/10/19/%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B3%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%B1/%E2%80%8D%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8F%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%94-%E0%B6%85%E0%B6%82%E0%B7%81-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%9C%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A . live .
- Web site: Only Geetha Kanthi and I are still on the Kelani Palama . Sarasaviya . 12 February 2020 . 24 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200224092214/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/interviews/2019/10/24/11117/%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%AB%E0%B7%92-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B8-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%92-%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%93%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%92-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%92 . live .
- Web site: ජේන්, රොසලින් සහ සුන්දරී . 2 December 2020 . Sarasaviya . 28 October 2020 . 1 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201120514/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-stage-dramas-story/2020/10/29/19278/%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%9C%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%84-%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%93 . live .
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- Web site: Kelani Palama 40th year show . Daily Mirror . 14 August 2020 . 8 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308162157/https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20191021/282896617398223 . live .
- Web site: Janabhimani Awards presented . 4 December 2019 . Sarasaviya . 2 August 2020 . 20 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120162810/https://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2019/12/12/12837/%E0%B6%A2%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B7%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%92-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%92?qt-feedback=0&page=4 . live .
- News: Veteran Journalist Ramya Vanigasekera passes away. Divaina. si. 8 March 2024. 8 March 2024. 8 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240308162044/https://divaina.lk/%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%93%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B0%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%93-%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A/. live.
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