Chandrika Siriwardena

Kalabushana Visharadha Gajanayake Arachchige Somi Kalani Chandrika Siriwardena (: born 11 November 1948), popularly known as Chandrika Siriwardena, is a Sri Lankan singer, actress, playback singer, television personality and choreographer. A pioneer artist in reality musical programs in Sri Lanka, she recorded the songs Midule Mal Sooriya Gaha Mudune, Igillila Yanna Yan and Ranabima Marune in a career that spanned more than six decades. She is one of the most prominent artists to originate from the Siriwardena family.

Personal life She was born on 11 November 1948 in Kandy as the youngest in a family with three siblings. Her father, Peter Siriwardena was an accomplished musician and an actor. He worked as a lecturer in music at the Government Women's Training College, Polgolla. Her mother Srimathi Karuna Devi was a music teacher as well as an actress. She first attended to Primary section of teacher training college and then she completed secondary education at Pushpadana Girls' College, Kandy. Chandrika has two elder brothers.

His brother Sunil Siriwardena is a singer, lyricist and broadcaster. He has two sons - Madhumadhawa Aravinda and Dhananjaya Siriwardena. Madhumadhawa is a socialist and was a controversial politician. Dhananjaya is a popular actor in cinema, theater and television. Chandrika Siriwardena's niece Dulshara Dasanthi is an influencer and an upcoming singer and actress.

She was married to Anton Alwis, who was a journalist, scriptwriter and lyricist. He was also affiliated to the late president R.Premadasa. The couple has one son, Prashantha Udaya and one daughter, Jithendrika. Jithendrika Jayakalani is a Bharathanatyam dancer and has appeared in certain films as cameos. Her husband Anton died on 26 March 2017 at the age of 72. She won Sarasaviya Award for the song Nim Walalla in the film Hithawathiya. She has sung several songs under semi-classical music. Her song Ranabima Marune Sinhalayeknam became an extremely popular song in Sri Lanka. In 2019, she was awarded the Kalabushana award by the president Maithripala Sirisena for her valuable input in the Sri Lankan entertainment industry.

To celebrate her 70th birthday, she performed a solo concert "Ran Tharakavo" on 11 November 2018 at 6.30 pm at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall which was received with mixed reviews.

In 2021, after a brief hiatus from film, she made her return to acting with the television series on Hiru Tv named Divithura.

Furthermore, Chandrika is one of the most prominent faces of Sri Lanka's reality television scene with numerous appearances in contests and talk shows throughout her career. She continues to lead a private life and has no social media accounts to her name.

Selected Filmography & Television

Discography Chandrika Siriwardena did not release any albums throughout her career. She mainly focused on radio singles and playback singing throughout her career. Her Frequent collaborators includes legends such as Victor Rathnayake, Gration Ananda, Sujatha Attanayake, her own Brother Sunil Siriwardena and H.R Jothipala.

She is the first musician in the country to re-sing an Indian Tamil song for distribution in Sri Lanka.

She has also sung live with prominent Bollywood and Kollywood musicians such as S.P Balasubramaniyam, K.S. Chithra and Nitin Mukhesh.

Some of her most prominent hits are:

Midule Mal Ran Tharakawo Igillila Yanna Yan Sanda Nathuwata Ranabima Marune Seethala Ra Uk Dandu Dunnen Raththaranin Ran Randuwevi Yaaluwevi with brother Sunil Siriwardena Balaporoththuwa Ma Amal Biso Ma Amal Hina Paawa Mal Warusawak with Victor Rathnayake Sandamadalai Mage Hiru Sandu Habun Katai with mother Karunadevi Siriwardena and daughter Jithendrika Jayakalani Maha Saagare Ranwan Ma Ranpiliyen Sarasa Puthe Thaththa Kiri Babalena Handa Paane Ranimini Derane Prema Varayen with Sunil Edirisinghe Lassana Mal Kakulu Kusum Ammawarunage Alaipayude (First Tamil song to be distributed by a Sri Lankan artist for local audiences by south India) Nishathalathirane Divya Nethra Sanda eliya Nikalal Sandalalana Pahan Tamba oba Me Dewule Devinde Vahi Lihiniyo Uthsahaya Ukdandakvanne Pema Thurawemi Vidaaven Barawu Hithanna Sandu Gana Vaakandiya Laga Velleliye Ipanalthala Mala Pipi Pipi with H.R Jothipala Siriyahangaba Loke Me Sonduru Kaale with H.R Jothipala Gum Gum Gum Bigunge with Milton Mallawarachchi Pem Kumaro with Gration Ananda Podi Kaale Podi Hithen Nindedi Raathri Sihine Ding Dong with Gration Ananda Raaja Vibhushitha with Sujatha Attanayake Paada Salamba Jeeve Upatha Vipatha Sansunwuuwa Thunveni Yaame Sahara Kathara Madin Kumariya Suvisal Baala Nangiye Me Raathriye Pera Da Oba Ha Seethala Pinne with Victor Rathnayake Sasare Nawathane Sansara Sihinaye Kumari Rajanandani Paramba Panduru Matha Eka Mau Thurulle Oba Samugath Pasu Saagaraye Diya Sendena Thura Samaa Wenna Mata Samadhigaami Maha Karunawe Ranwan Ranketha with W.D Amaradeva Heera Pala Daru with Abeywardena Balasuriya Deegeta Giya Da with Brother Sunil Siriwardena Bedanna Ba Rata Boguna Daami with Sanath Nanadasiri Sathdawasak Nowa Sihin Sinindu Seda Hatta Pinsara Himiyanee Kankalu Rasee Dani Amma Nokee E Santhane Malmal wasanthe with Tony Hassan Monareku Handuwa Mahiyanganayata Seetha Ra Jesuni Samiduni Solasanada Indunil Galwa Seeneka Raakadi Sihinen Lanwee Parakperak Nathi Daathe Dasangili Daye Namin