Ramya Wanigasekara

Ramya Wanigasekara (; 17 July 1950 – 8 March 2024) was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. A pioneer of Sri Lankan radio, she was a Radio Ceylon news reader for more than two decades. She was also a playback singer.

Wanigasekara died on 8 March 2024, at the age of 73, while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

Early life Wanigasekara was born on 17 July 1950 in Kotiyakumbura, Kegalle as the fifth child in a family of seven siblings. Her father, from Hettimulla, Kegalle was an estate superintendent and her mother was from Eheliyagoda. Ramya had two elder sisters, two elder brothers and two younger brothers. She started primary education at Ampe Maha Vidyalaya, Kotiyakumbura. After attending Pindeniya Vidyachakrawarthi National College, she finally completed her education at Ruwanwella Royal College.

Career

Wanigasekara entered drama as a stage playback singer with the 1974 stage play Hewayo produced by Chandi Gunathilake. In 1976, she first acted in Ranjith Dharmakeerthi's play Hasthiraja Mahaththaya with a minor role.

In 1978, her breakthrough in stage drama came through the play Mana Ranjana Weda Warjana directed by Chula Kariyawasam with the role "Gunawathi". At that time veteran actress Chandra Kaluarachchi was pregnant, and so her role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama was given to Wanigasekara by producer and future husband R. R. Samarakoon. Then, she acted in Samarakoon's plays Ahasin Watunu Minissu (1971), Idama (1975), Jailer Unnahe (1986), Doowili (1990) and Raja Kathawa (1991). Liyathambara, Siri Sangabo and Hiru Nathi Lowa.

In 1980, she joined Radio Ceylon to host the programme Thakshilawa. The play was first staged on 25 October 1978 at the Lumbini Theatre.

Personal life Wanigasekara was married to dramatist R. R. Samarakoon.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1982 Ridee Nimnaya Chandani 1995 Maruthaya Geetha's Aiyya's wife 2010 Tikiri Suwanda Tikiri's granny Rosalin 2014 Ko Mark No Mark Rupika's mother 2016 Sarigama Dalcy 2024 Weerya Laticia

Selected Television Series Adungira Ahankara Nagare Ahas Gawwa Aluth Gedara Ammawarune Denuwara Menike Divithura Gangulen Egodata Indi Weta Addara Kande Gedara Koombiyo Meedumen Eha Meda Gedara Menik Nadiya Gala Basi Paba Palingu Menike Pehasara Rathu Ahasa Salsapuna Sanda Pini Bidaka Sikuru Wasanthe Tharu Ahasata Adarei Thurya Wathsunu Yes Boss

Awards

Wanigasekara has won several awards at local festivals.

State

OCIC

State Drama Festival

Other

Presidential

Sumathi

Raigam Tele'es