Rathnawali Kekunawela

George Rathnawali Kumarasiri Miguel (born 20 January 1931 – died 7 April 2018 as රත්නාවලී කැකුණවෙල) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Rathnawali Kekunawela, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan radio drama history, Kekunawela had a career spanned for more than six decades. She is better known as "Muwan Palesse Menike" due to popular radio play.

Personal life Kekunawela was born on 20 January 1931 in Deraniyagala as the fourth in the family. Her father was Simon Miguel. He worked as a tea maker in a Deraniyagala Nuri estate. Her mother was Salina Fernando. Her mother died when she was six year old and father died when she was 16 years old. Then she moved Colombo with grandparents.

She has one elder brother - Victor, two elder sisters - Dharmawathi and Prema, and one younger brother Molison. Rathna studied in four schools because of father's job. At first, she went to Beruwala Central College. After that she went to Kadugannawa Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Polgahawela Ratmalgoda Maha Vidyalaya and to a private school in Colombo respectively. Dharmawathi was married to T.G.W. de Silva who was a Sinhala satirist. The couple has four sons - Nalaka, Thivanka, Ramalika, Indika - and two daughters - Surathi Dasara and Surakshana Oshadhi. Her husband died in 2013.

She died on 7 April 2018 at the age of 87. Her remains laid in her house at No. 25/1 C, Wedikanda Road, Ratmalana for final rites. Funeral took place on 9 April 2018 at Borella General Cemetery at 4 pm. The show was very popular and became a hallmark in Sinhala drama history where disciples imagined a village called "Muwan Palessa". Since Muwan Pelessa was only launched in late 1963, the SLBC has no record of it, and the only evidence to show that it was begun on March 12, 1964, was a photo of its founder Somaratne. By the late 1960s it had reached the peak of its popularity. She continuously worked in the play for 50 years along with Wijeratne Warakagoda until resigned due to prolonged illness.

Her maiden cinema acting came through 1967 blockbuster movie Sath Samudura directed by Siri Gunasinghe. Since then she appeared in more than 30 films particularly in motherly roles. During the shooting of tele serial Sudu Piruwata, Kekunawela was badly injured due to wasp sting. Then the shooting was cancelled for few weeks. Sumathi Awards 2000 - Merit Award (Warna Kambili)

Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1967 Sath Samudura Wimala's mother 1969 Mee Masso 1972 Ada Mehemai 1976 Diyamanthi 1976 Nilla Soya 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase 1978 Asha Dasin 1978 Kumara Kumariyo 1979 Geheniyak 1979 Wasanthaye Dawasak 1979 Chuda Manikya 1979 Muwan Palessa Menike 1979 Monarathenna 1980 Dandumonara 1980 Paara Dige 1980 Uthumaneni 1980 Muwan Palessa II Menike 1980 Karumakkarayo 1980 Bambara Pahasa 1980 Parithyagaya 1981 Aradhana 1981 Dayabara Nilu 1981 Sathkulu Pawwa 1982 Kele Mal 1982 Biththi Hathara 1983 Chutte 1983 Dadayama Rathmali's mother 1983 Muwan Palessa III Menike 1983 Thuththiri Mal 1984 Batti 1984 Wadula 1984 Niwan Dakna Jathi Dakwa 1987 Kawuluwa 1988 Angulimala 1992 Viyaru Minisa 1995 Ira Handa Illa 1998 Julietge Bhumikawa Gossiping dubber 2006 Nilambare mother of Nimal and Nirwan 2009 Paya Enna Hiru Se Suren's mother 2015 Bora Diya Pokuna Bording mistress