Ramya Wanigasekara

Kalabhushana Ramya Wanigasekara (born 17 July; Sinhala: රම්‍යා වනිගසේකර) [Sinhala]), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.[1] One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan radio, she worked as a news reader for more than two decades. Apart from acting, Wanigasekara also became a news reader and vocalist at the Radio Ceylon as well as a playback singer.[2]

Ramya Wanigasekara
රම්‍යා වනිගසේකර
Born17 July
Kotiyakumbura, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationRuwanwella Royal College
OccupationActress, Dubbing artist
Years active1974–present
Spouse(s)R. R. Samarakoon (m. 1987)
Children1

Personal life

She was born on 17 July in Kotiyakumbura, Kegalle as the fifth child in a family with seven siblings. Her father from Hettimulla, Kegalle was an estate superintendent and mother was from Eheliyagoda. Ramya has two elder sisters, two elder brothers and two younger brothers. She started primary education from Ampe Maha Vidyalaya, Kotiyakumbura. After attending to many school, she completed education finally from Ruwanwella Royal College.[3]

Wanigasekara was married to popular dramatist Ranasinghe Rajapakse Samarakoon (popularly as R.R. Samarakoon).[4] Samarakoon was born on 14 August 1939 in Dekinda village, Nawalapitiya.[5] He started primary education from St Andrew's Girls College, Nawalapitiya and secondary education from Kingswood College, Kandy.[6] Samarakoon died on 2010.[7]

The affair started during the stage play Kelani Palama. The couple has one daughter, Buddhika Mudithani.[2] Buddhika acted in Kelani Palama in little age as "Surangani".[3] She excelled at stage costume designing.[8]

Career

She entered the drama as a stage playback singer with the 1974 stage play Hewayo produced by Chandi Gunathilake.[2] After that she became the background singer in many stage plays produced by Jayatissa Alahakoon.[9] In 1976, she first acted in Ranjith Dharmakeerthi's play Hasthiraja Mahaththaya with a minor role.[3] After that she got the opportunity to sing background songs for Dharmakeerthi's play Angara Ganga Gala Basi under the music composition by Premasiri Khemadasa. She also acted in that play in some accidental moments.[7][4]

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, where her role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama was given to Wanigasekara by producer and future husband R. R. Samarakoon.[9][10] Then, she acted in Samarakoon's plays Ahasin Watunu Minissu (1971), Idama (1975), Jailer Unnahe (1986), Doowili (1990) and Raja Kathawa (1991).[3] Later she acted in a number of popular plays including Sanda Kinduri, Muhudu Puththu, Ma Hene Reeri Yaka, Liyathambara, Siri Sangabo and Hiru Nathi Lowa.[7][4][2] She played the role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama for 41 consecutive years.[11]

In 1980, she joined Radio Ceylon to host the program Thakshilawa.[3] The program contained poetry, singing, drama, and news. Since 1981 she has been a regular news anchor until retired in 2006.[9] Later, in 2008 she worked on a contract basis in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and still worked as a relief newscaster.[7][4] She is also Radio A-Grade Nurti singer.[2]

In 1983, Wanigasekara was also a member of the first drama group of Dharmasena Pathiraja's documentary Gangulen Egodata on epilepsy.[9] The play won a gold medal at a documentary competition in Germany. Later, she acted in many critically acclaimed roles in popular television serials such as Kande Gedara, Palingu Menike, Menik Nadiya Gala Basi, Denuwara Menike, Paba, Aluth Gedara and comedy sitcom Yes Boss.[7][4] Her role in Dhamma Jagoda's Palingu Menike became her milestone in teledrama career.[2]

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.[12] The play was first staged on October 25, 1978 at the Lumbini Theater.[10] 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.[13]

Selected television serials
  • Ahankara Nagarae [14]
  • Ahas Gawwa [8]
  • Aluth Gedara
  • Ammavarune
  • Denuwara Menike
  • Diyaniyo [15]
  • Indi Vata Addara [16]
  • Kande Gedara [17]
  • Koombiyo
  • Maunayagaya
  • Menik Nadiya Gala Basi [18]
  • Palingu Menike
  • Paba
  • Pehesara
  • Rathu Ahasa [19]
  • Salsapuna
  • Sikuru Wasanthe [20]
  • Thurya [21]
  • Yes Boss

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
1982Ridee NimnayaChandani
1995MaruthayaGeetha's Aiyya's wife
2010Tikiri SuwandaTikiri's granny Rosalin[22]
2014Ko Mark No MarkRupika's mother[23]
2016SarigamaDalcy[24]

Awards

Wanigasekara has won several awards at many local award festivals.[7]

State Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1991Kande GedaraPopular woman on stage and teledramaWon
1993Most Popular ActressWon

OCIC Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1994Kande GedaraMost Popular ActressWon

State Drama Festival
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1995LihiniBest Supporting ActressWon

Other Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1990Lankadeepa Vijaya AwardsMost Popular ActressWon
1991Lankadeepa Vijaya AwardsMost Popular ActressWon
2009Liya Varuna AwardWon
2010PabaITN AwardWon
2010Contribution to dramaKalabhushana AwardWon

Presidential Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1994/95News ReadingBest News AnchorWon

Sumathi Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003Won

Raigam Tele'es
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013Contribution to televisionNational AwardWon
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References
  1. "Ramya Wanigasekara filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  2. "Who else can do what I did - Ramya Wanigasekara". Deshaya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  3. "I remember my life". Hiru FM. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. "The Kelani Palama is a milestone in my life". Tharunie. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  5. "From the fond memory of Ramya Wanigasekara about RR Samarakoon". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. "R. R. who made the theater interesting". Lankadeepa. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  7. "My voice and beauty remain in the hearts of people ...... - Veteran artist Ramya Wanigasekara". Divaina. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  8. "Multi faceted Ramya Wanigasekara". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  9. "All aspects of art are important to me". Silumina. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  10. "Only Geetha Kanthi and I are still on the Kelani Palama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  11. "41 years as Matilda". Ceylon Today. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  12. "Kelani Palama 40th year show". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  13. "Janabhimani Awards presented". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  14. "Jerome to build the 'City of Pride'". Daily News. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  15. "'Diyaniyo' on Rupavahini from tomorrow". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  16. "INDI VATA ADDARA". indivataaddara. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  17. "10 POPULAR SINHALA TELEDRAMAS THAT ANY '90S KID WOULD KNOW - I". yamu. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  18. "Menik Nadiya Gala Basi and Rangasoba DVD released". Silumina. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  19. "Across the red sky". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  20. "Sikuru Vasanthe on Rupavahini". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  21. "Changing face of the family unit". Daily News. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  22. "'Tikiri Suwanda' scents the beauty of children". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  23. ""Ko Mark No Mark" Movie of many comical twists". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  24. "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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