Chitra Wakishta

Chitra Dhanawalavithana (23 December 1936 – 31 May 2019 as චිත්‍රා වාකිෂ්ඨ) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Chitra Wakishta, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. She is best known for her role as Somi Nona in the teledrama Kopi Kade.

Personal life She was born on 23 December 1936 in Punchi Borella. She completed her education from Buddhist Girls' School, Maradana, which is later known as Sri Sangamiththa Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 10. She was married to Lloyd Wakisha. Lloyd was also a popular actor in his generation, who acted in stage drama Wes Muhunu and then in films such as Sihina Hathak, Kinkini Paada, Rena Giraw, Baduth Ekka Horu, Mee Masso, Gehenu Lamai, Adhishtana, Thani Tharuwa and Wadula. Lloyd was born in 1930 and died in 1981 at the age of 51. The couple has three sons - Ranjan, Shammi, Pran - and one daughter. Her granddaughter Senuri is also a child artist, who acted in the teledrama Appachchi. Senuri won many awards at local award festivals for her role in that drama.

She died on 31 May 2019 at the age of 82.

Theatre career Wakishta joined Radio Ceylon in 1945 for Lama Pitiya program. She was involved in singing poems and raban poem in Lama Pitiya at that time. While in Lama Pitiya, she started stage career with A. M. L. Zoysa's drama, Bahirawaya in 1953. Then she acted in many stage productions, such as Deepa, Piligath Warada, Pancha Kalyani and Sargent Weerasinha. In the stage drama Kalagola, she sang the song “Rasadara Siriya Paradana”, which is still a popular theatre song. Kopi Kade Kula Kumariya Mal Kekulak Iki Binda Me Suramya Paradisaya Mila Sihina Sithuvam Sisila Ima Sudu Hansayo Sulangata Medivee Suwanda Obai Amme Vajira

Death According to her son Pran, she suffered from cancer since October 2014. She continued to take medication from Cancer Hospital, Maharagama. On 31 May 2019, Wakishta died while receiving treatments at National Hospital, Colombo. Her remains were laid at a Borella private parlour on 1 June 2019 and final rites were carried out on 2 June at the Borella General Cemetery.

Filmography Wakishta started her film career with Sirisena Wimalaweera's 1955 film Podi Putha. Then she acted in more than 75 films. Some of her popular films include, Golu Hadawatha, Ahas Gawwa, Gehenu Lamai and Yuganthaya. In 1979, she won Best Supporting Actress award for the role in Gehenu Lamai at Presidential Film Festival and then in OCIC Signis Festival.

Year No. Film Role Ref. 1955 34 Podi Putha Alice 1957 42 Sirakaruwa 1966 151 Parasathu Mal Sirisena's mother 1966 139 Seethala Wathura 1967 175 Rena Giraw Maggie 1968 186 Golu Hadawatha 1969 200 Samaje Sathuro 1969 207 Baduth Ekka Horu Asilin 1969 209 Mee Masso 1969 216 Pancha 1973 271 Suhada Pathuma Chamila's housemaid 1973 277 Sinawai Inawai 1974 282 Ahas Gauwa Silawathie 1975 327 Sadhana 1975 328 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya Sriyani's mother 1978 390 Gehenu Lamai Kamalawathie Satharasinghe 1978 388 Vishmaya Ralahamy's sister 1980 446 Seetha 1980 463 Para Dige 1981 485 Vajira Jane Nona 1981 489 Sathukulu Pawwa Nimali's mother 1982 514 Thani Tharuwa 1982 523 Ridee Nimnaya Teacher 1983 571 Monarathenna 2 1985 632 Yuganthaya 1986 645 Jaya Apatai 1986 646 Koti Waligaya 1987 654 Hitha Honda Chandiya Kusala's Mother 1987 661 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1987 668 Obatai Priye Adare Josephine 1988 679 Durga 1989 685 Mamai Raja Ranjith's advisor's wife 1990 701 Dedunnen Samanaliyak 1990 705 Saharawe Sihinaya 1990 709 Palama Yata Uncle's Neighbour 1992 742 Ranabime Veeraya 1992 764 Muwan Palesse Kadira 1993 774 Prithngyawa 1993 779 Chaya Maya 1993 786 Sandarekha 1993 789 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na 1994 803 Sandamadala 1994 804 Sujathaa Suranjith's mother 1995 821 Wasana Wewa 1995 827 Pudumai Eth Aththai 1995 839 Cheriyo Captain Party goer 1995 841 Chandani Chandani's mother-in-law 1995 842 Ayoma 1996 849 Naralowa Holman Kosala's mother 1996 852 Veediye Veeraya 1997 871 Puthuni Mata Wasana 1998 890 Gini Avi Saha Gini Keli Soysa's wife 1998 902 Julietge Bhumikawa Gossiping dubber 2009 1130 Thushara Wilson's fiancée's mother

Awards Presidential Film Festival