Nalin Pradeep Udawela

Udawela Lekumlage Nalin Pradeep Udawela (; 20 March 1969 – 23 September 2025) was a Sri Lankan actor and politician. Udawela acted primarily in stage dramas and television but also acted in films. Udawela served as a member of the Western Provincial Council.

Personal life Nalin Pradeep Udawela was born on 20 March 1969 in Deniyakumbura village, Matale, Sri Lanka as the youngest of the family. His father died 10 days before he was born. He had three elder brothers and two elder sisters. He completed education from Bandarapola Maha Vidyalaya. He excelled in sports in school times, where he became the best Under-17 player in a year. Apart from sports, he also participated in debate programs and literary inter school tournaments. He completed Advanced Level from art stream in the middle of 1989 JVP riots.

Udawela began his film career in 1998 with Julietge Bhumikawa, directed by Jackson Anthony. Meanwhile he started to act in several stage dramas. In 1999, Udawela won the Best Actor Award at the State Drama Festival for his dramatic performance in the play Deveni Mahinda produced by K. B. Herath. Since then, he acted in many popular stage plays such as: Jūriya, Kelaṇi Pālama, Mænḍelā Mænḍelā, Mēgha, Mī Harak, Nava Huṇuvaṭayē Kathāva and Suddek Oba Amathai.

His most popular cinema acting came through the films Tharaka Mal, Parawarthana and Asai Man Piyabanna. In 2007, he won Merit awards for the supporting roles in the films: Tharaka Mal and Aasai Mang Piabanna. Prior to the election, he was the party organizer for Homagama area. He obtained 13,653 votes and was successfully elected as a councilor.

A few months after his election, Udawela claimed that the government of president Mahinda Rajapaksa offered to pay him Rs. 50 million to cross over to the ruling party, the United People's Freedom Alliance. He alleged that the government had also offered his entire family citizenship in either Canada, Australia or the Netherlands.

Death Udawela died in Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama on 23 September 2025, at the age of 56 after suffering from cancer. His remains were laid to rest at his residence, No. 193/55, Second Lane, Prasanna Uyana, Mattegoda for public rites. The funeral was held at the Mattegoda Crematorium on 25 September 2025.

Notable theatre works Juriya Deveni Mahinda Kelani Palama Mandela Mandela Megha Modara Mola Mee Harak New Hunuwataye Kathawa Sewaneli Eda Minissu Suddek Oba Amathakai

Selected television serials

Akuru Maki Na Andare Aparna Api Apa Athara Baloli Batti Boralu Para Chakrandi Diya Ginisilu Ehipillamak Yata Eth Kanda Lihini Gang Dela Nisalai Hathwana Kandayama Ira Awara Isuru Pawura Kalu Kumari Kasee Salu Kinduru Adaviya Kolam Kuttama Mahathala Hatana Meeduma Wage Avidin Makulu Del Millewa Walawwa Minigandela Monaravila Nisalawila Nonimi Yathra Peramaga Salakunu Piniwassa Pinsara Dosthara Plat Nowana Flat Prakampana Ran Mehesi Ridee Ittankaraya Sadgunakaraya Samanalayano Samanala Sihinaya Sanda Dev Diyani Sanda Hiru Tharu Sanda Nethi Lova Sihina Devduwa Siri Dev Bawana Sudu Hamine Suwanda Padma Vasanthaya Avilla

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa 2000 Rajya Sevaya Pinisai Janaka's henchman 2001 Aswesuma Kaseem 2007 Tharaka Mal Kumaran 2007 Asai Man Piyabanna Sarath 2008 Walapatala 2011 Muthu Salamba 2014 Parawarthana Jayasena 2016 Madhura Charika Jaye 2019 Sangile Monk

Awards and accolades Udawela won several awards at the local stage drama, television and film festivals.

Sumathi Awards

Sarasaviya Awards