Giriraj Kaushalya

Silmesthri Giriraj Kaushalya (born November 13, 1964) , popularly known as Giriraj Kaushalya, is a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. A versatile actor from drama to comedy, Kaushalya has also worked as an assistant director, producer, script writer and filmmaker.

Personal life Kaushalya was born on 13 November 1964 in Kolonnawa, Colombo as the youngest of his parents five children. He has three elder brothers and one elder sister. He entered village school in Kolonnawa and then attended to Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. His father was an active trade unionist in Ceylon Electricity Board and a member of the Sri Lanka Communist Party represented the Left Movement. He worked in Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka before entering to acting. His elder brother Lalith Janakantha is also a renowned actor in stage, television and cinema.

He met his wife Mangalika Fernando during the work in Mahaweli Authority in Lihinyagama, Mahaweli C zone in 1986. She was a draftsman and Kaushalya was a store keeper. They engaged in 1987 and wedding was celebrated in 1988. They both left the work in 1998. The couple has two daughters - Kavindya Nilupuli and Amandya Uthpali.

He got critically ill with leukemia by the end of 2021, where he quit from acting for indefinite period. He was diagnosed with the disease in late October 2021 and in hospitalized for over 40 days at a hospital in 2022.

Acting career He worked with veteran actor Sathischandra Edirisinghe in Mahaweli Authority during Mahaweli cultural unit. Then Edirisinghe invited him to play a role in his teledrama Namal Golla, which marked his first appearance in drama career. Then he acted in Kokila Ginna directed again by Edirisinghe.

He continued performed in stage dramas for many years. His popular stage acting came through Somaratne Dissanayake's Mee Pura Wesiyo, Parakrama Niriella's Sekkuwa, Rodney Warnakula's Saranga Naven Evith and Priyantha Seneviratne's Minisa.

Selected stage dramas Mawakage Sangramaya Antigany Mee Pura Wesiyo Sekkuwa Saranga Nawen Awith Minisa Saadaya Marai Salli Hamarai Comedy Buddy Sudu Redi Horu

Selected television serials

Ama as Sam uncle Diya Matha Ruwa Ethuma 1, 2 as Kalu Mudalali Kotipathiyo Hulan Gedara as Don Meril Hulangamuwa Ira Awara Isuru Bhavana as Kuruneru Jeewithaya Athi Thura Jeewithaya Dakinna Kapa Nasna Samaya Kinnara Damanaya Kokila Ginna Man Hinda Namal Golla Me Suramya Paradisaya Nadagamkarayo as Kukula Mahaththaya Neela Palingu Diya Nodath Desheka Arumawanthi Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni Pabalu Menike Package Pani Kurullo Pingala Danawwa Pinibara Yamaya Pipi Piyum Punaragamanaya Ranga Soba Rathi Virathi Sakala Guru as Pinsiri Podi Bandara Sakala Guru 2 Sakisanda Suwaris Sanda Dev Diyani Sihina Genena Kumariye Sihinayak Wage Smarana Samapthi Sudu Kapuru Pethi Suravimana Sihina Puraya as Bunty Thaksalava as Lucas Mudalali Wahinna Muthu Wassak

Filmography Kaushalya started his film career film Sanda Dadayama directed by Asoka Handagama, which is not screened yet. Then he contributed in several blockbuster films such as Sikuru Hathe, Suhada Koka and Maya particularly as a comedian.

His maiden cinematic direction came through Sikuru Hathe in 2007.

Year Film Role Ref. 1999 Salupata Ahasata 2001 Aswesuma Hunter 2001 Punchi Suranganavi 2002 Mage Wam Atha Boss's henchman 2003 Sonduru Dadabima Gladwin 2004 Sooriya Arana Salesman 2005 Samanala Thatu Bicycle Shop owner 2006 Udugan Yamaya 2007 Aganthukaya 2007 Sankranthi 2008 Siri Raja Siri Theater controller 2010 Tikiri Suwanda Alphonsu 2010 Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe cameo appearance 2011 King Hunther Benja 2011 Gamani NGO officer 2012 Prathiroo Salesman 2013 Bomba Saha Rosa Police sergeant 2013 Siri Parakum Ven. Kalundewa Thero 2014 Ahelepola Kumarihami Lokuru Naide 2014 Ko Mark No Mark Vimukthi 2015 Suhada Koka Kalu Mudalali 2015 Bora Diya Pokuna 2015 Lantin Singho Appu 2015 Maya 3D Gamini 2017 Ali Kathawa King's physician 2017 Paha Samath Bus driver 2017 Punchi Apith Baya Na Dan Patty Mudalali 2018 Raigamayai Gampalayai Raigamaya 2019 Thaala Kattadiya 2019 President Super Star multiple roles 2019 Reload Lekam 2020 Tsunami Lawyer 2020 The Newspaper Cabinet minister 2020 Miss Jenis Karu 2023 Guththila Magandi 2025 Kaasi Vaasi Amarabandu

As a director Year Film Ref. 2007 Sikuru Hathe 2015 Suhada Koka 2023 Kathuru Mithuru

As a writer Year Film Ref. 2025 Kaasi Vaasi TBD Mr.Mrs

Awards He is a recipient of awards at several local film festivals.

Raigam Tele'es Awards

Sumathi Awards