Duleeka Marapana

Wasala Kulathun Wijekoon Mudiyanselage Duleeka Kumari Wijekoon Marapana commonly as Duleeka Marapana (; born 15 November 1975), is an actress in Sri Lankan stage, television and cinema as well as a public speaker, director, producer and philanthropist. Marapana is best known for the role "Dingiri Amma" in Malee teledrama. Apart from acting, she is the Founder of 3rdbell Productions and Academy, the Chairperson CO CO productions and founder of Northwest films.

Career Marapana started her acting career in 1997 while in university, starring in various stage dramas. Her most-notable dramas were Sapathnee (best actress), Swarnama (best actress), Katu Yahana (nominated), Sevanali Ha Minissu, House of Bernarda Alba (best supporting actress) Katu Yahana and Upanda Maranaya.

In 2014 she appeared in her own production of Lawrencege Manamali, alongside her husband Sujeewa Priyal Yaddehige. Their wedding was celebrated during the stage drama performed on 13 and 14 August 2015. The play received huge popularity and has been staged more than 380 shows island-wide.

In Sumathi Awards, Marapana won the Best Actress Award for her role in Depath Nai, Himakatayam, Rathriya, Sudheera, Isuru Bawana, Ridee Ittankaraya, and Me Wasantha Kalayai. After that, her most-popular role "Dingiri Amma" came through the teledramas Malee and Aththamma. For both serials, she won People's Award two times. In 2019, she appeared in the popular Sudu Anguru and stage play Lawrencege Manamali. Recently, she appeared in the serials, Internasanal 1 and 2 and Pork Street.

The actress, who is also actively engaged in environmental conservation and activism, played a lead role in an environmental film Suparna directed by her husband. Apart from that, she acted with critics acclaimed roles in the films such as Sooriya Arana, Kosthapal Punyasoma, Samanala Thatu, Walapatala, Sinhaya and Daruwane.

Notable works

Acid Amarabandu Rupasinghe Aththamma as Dingiri Amma Dangakara Tharu Depath Nai Divithura as Deepika E Brain Ehala Maha Nikinna Eka Iththaka Mal as Kanthi Heenayaki Me Adare Hima Katayam as Damayanthi Internasanal 1 & 2 as Disna Isuru Bhawana as Violet Nona Kaluwara Anduna Kiyadenna Adare Tharam Malee as Dingiri Amma Neela Palingu Diya as Ariyawathi Pipi Piyum Pork Veediya Punchi Walauwwa as Mary Mekhala Rathi Virathi Rathriya as Sangeetha Ridee Ittankaraya as Punchi Menika Roda Hatara Manamalaya Sabba Sakala Mana Sanda Amavakai as Sandamali Sandawathaka Waruna Sara as Veronica Satharadenek Senpathiyo Sihina Tawuma Sihinayak Wage Sihini as Thalatha Sudeera as Shahini Lellawala Sudu Anguru as Patta Rani Thalaya Soyana Geethaya Wes Benduma

Awards Marapana has won many awards in theater, cinema and television award ceremonies. Nominated as best actress for her first tele drama " Sanda Amawakai" Best Actress in Inter-University Drama Festival 1997 (Nizerla) Best Actress inter-University Drama Festival 1998 (Jeewithe Mithyawa) Best Actress National State Short drama festival 1999 – Sapathmee Best Actress National State Drama Festival 2000 – Swarnamali ( directed by professor Bandula Jayawardana ) Best Actress Sumathi Awards 2004 – Depath Nai Best Actress Sumathi Awards 2005 – Hima Katayam(Snow Designs) Best Supporting Actress National Teledrama Festival "Rathriya"(Night) SIGNIS Best performance of the Year 2007 – Samanala Thatu film( Butterfly wings ) Best Actress Sumathi Awards 2010 – Ridee Itankaraya Best Actress in Raigam Tele'es 2010 – Isuru Bawana Best Supporting Actress 2011 – Me Wasantha Kalayai Best Supporting Actress National Drama Festival 2012 – The House of Bernada Alba Best Actress in 8th Mass Lanka Film Awards 2013 SLIIM Nielson Peoples awards 2015 Best Actress SLIIM Nielson Peoples awards 2016 Best Actress

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 2003 Pura Sakmana 2003 Irasma Paali 2004 Sooriya Arana Sediris's wife 2005 Samanala Thatu Batti 2006 Udugan Yamaya Mother 2008 Hathara Denama Soorayo remake Bath amma, Soma's mother 2008 Walapatala Nurse Sheela 2010 Tikiri Suwanda Samanmalee 2011 Mahindagamanaya Magani 2011 Ethumai Methumai Kusumsiri's wife 2012 Super Six Jude's mother 2012 Daruwane Anjula 2013 Double Trouble Duleeka 2014 Kosthapal Punyasoma Champa 2015 Lantin Singho Nurse 2015 Sinhaya Punchi akka 2016 Puthandiya Ajith's mother 2016 Hero Nero Mrs. Lionel 2017 Ali Kathawa Gomari 2020 Suparna Suparna 2020 Miss Jenis Mrs. Makalanda 2021 Kawuruth Danne Na 2022 CineMa Rupalatha 2022 Rashmi Mannakkara's wife 2024 Weerya Kohilawaththe Johana 2026 Sargent Punchisoma Sundari, Punchisoma's wife Education officer