Nethalie Nanayakkara

Kalabushana Nethalie Violet Nanayakkara (born 26 December 1934 as නෙතලි නානායක්කාර) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Nethalie Nanayakkara, is a Sri Lankan actress. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan television drama industry, Nanayakkara has been involved in more than 140 serials across a career spanning more than six decades.

Personal life Nanayakkara was born on 26 December 1934 in Kiribathgoda, Colombo as the fourth of the family. She has one elder brother and two elder sisters, where one sister died at small age. She also has two younger brothers. Her father worked at a private company. She started education from Roman Catholic School, Pamunuvila. She is fluent with English and passed the O/L examination at the age of 13. Then she attended to Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya and studied from English medium.

After the final exams at school, she joined to a private company under the guidance of his uncle. She worked in that company for two year and then resigned. Then she joined with Fordsroad Accounting Institute in Colombo as an auditor and worked for 30 years.

She married fellow actor Wally Nanayakkara at the age of 27. During his tenure at Lake House, Wally was also secretary of the Arts Circle. Wally Nanayakkara died on 11 October 2003 at the age of 64.

The couple has one son - Ravi - and four daughters - Renuka, Shamika and twins Chandika and Indika. She was first involved in H. D. Wijedasa's radio production of Vihilu Thahalu. Her maiden radio play was Samudra Devi.

She worked parallel in both drama as well as private company without any obstacle. Then she acted in a television serial directed by Ananda Sirisena. Deweni Inima Diyaniyo Haara Kotiya Kolamba Ithaliya Koombiyo Sakala Guru 1 & 2 Sakarma

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 2003 Le Kiri Kandulu Upendra's mother 2007 Sankara 2011 King Hunther 2011 Gamani Head Grama Arakshaka's mother 2013 Nikini Vassa 2016 Ulath Ekai Pilath Ekai 2016 Motor Bicycle Patta's mother 2017 Aloko Udapadi Elderly mother 2017 Bandhanaya Piyasili's granny 2017 Heena Hoyana Samanallu Tharaka's granny 2019 Weli Pawuru A helpless mother (Cameo) 2020 The Newspaper Guna's mother 2021 Kawuruth Danne Na 2023 Gaadi Ukkuwa's mother 2023 Thattu Deke Iskole 2024 Pirimi Adarayak 2025 Kaasi Vaasi 2026 The Wife