Vijaya Nandasiri

Ilukpitiya Mudiyanselage Vijaya Nandasiri (6 May 1944 – 8 August 2016 as විජය නන්දසිරි) was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Considered a leading dramatist in Sri Lankan cinema, he was also a singer and a producer.

He had a varied career beginning in theater and extending into film as a dramatic actor; his most recent roles were steeped in comedy and include credits in Sinhala sitcoms like Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni, Ethuma, Yes Boss and Kathura.

Personal life Born on 6 May 1944 in Maharagama as the third in a family with seven siblings, His father was Ilukpitiya Mudiyanselage Simon Singho who worked in the food department. His mother, Don Caroline Mabel Senadheera, worked at the Department of Health and later at the Colombo General Hospital. She holds the record to be the main actress in Sri Lanka's first ever tele-drama, Dimuthu Muthu. Their first encounter was at Sudarshi Visual Arts Center, where Mihirani studied for dancing. Nandasiri was the one who invited Mihirani for the drama Subha Saha Yasa in 1974. She was studying at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. He joined her at the Chitrasena Kalaya in Kollupitiya and learned dance from Vajira. Navanjana was born on 13 November 1989. Navanjana is married to businessman Chaminda Gunaratne and they married on 28 December 2012 in Hilton Colombo. His son Rasanjana started to continue his father's legacy by making mark in stage dramas, where his father previously acted.

Acting career Theater work Mrs. Mulin Perera, who opened the doors of the school stage to Vijaya for the first time, is the wife of the editor of Sarasaviya, Navayugaya and Silumina papers, Wimalasiri Perera.

He subsequently played in many stage dramas including Bakmaha Akunu by Dayananda Gunawardena, Thahanchi and Baka Thapas by Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Kontharaya, Wahalak Nathi Geyak and Sarade Sina by Prema Ranjith Thilakarathna and Bedde Goranaduwa by Ananda S. Wijesiri.

After Ran Kanda, Nandasiri was in demand, and starred in the plays Kapuwa Kapothi, Kakul Hathare Ilandariya, Subha Saha Yasa, Nariya Saha Keju Kella, Ekadipathi, Tharawo Egilethi, Rookada Raajje, Ran Kada, Sellam Badu Nowei, Kuweni and Hunuwataye Kathawa among others. Over the next years he played the character of king Maname in Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's Maname more than 1000 times, and appeared in Singha Bhahu, Mahasara and Ratnawalee. Nandasiri finally achieved fame in 1971 in the play Ran Kanda. and Kusa Pabawathie. and Balloth ekka ba. He was working on the comedy drama Aluth horek one of Ajith Mendis at the Wayambe provincial council auditorium, Kurunegala, where he got sick next day and died.

Television career Nandasiri's early television credits include K.A.W. Perera's Gamana and Pramada Wedei. He was later a producer of the teledrama Humalaya. He won the Award for the Best Comedian for his role in Sikka.

The turning point of his performance was the Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni (which is a re-make of the popular Hindi sitcom Shriman Shrimati produced by Adhikari Brothers) sitcom directed by Jayaprakash Sivagurunathan. He also hosted children's quiz program Punchi Pahe Man which was telecasted on Sirasa TV.

Selected serials

Bhagya Class Sinhala Class Ethuma Hathara Wate Hathare Kanuwa Kathura Kawda Bole Ethuma 1 Kekiri Mathi Nethi Daa Methuma Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni Raja Varama Satakapata Senehase Geethaya Sikka Yes Boss Yes Madam Jara Mara

Cinema career He first came to prominence from the movie Ran Kenda. In 1973, Vijaya made his maiden cinematic appearance in the film Matara Achchi directed by Sathischandra Edirisinghe. He won The Best Actor award for his role of the match maker in Sikuru Hathe and later in 2011 as the Best Comedian for King Hunther.

Illness and death Nandasiri was suffering from diabetes over a long period of time. Owing to a wound on his leg, due to severe infection, the leg was amputated and from that point, he was using an artificial leg.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref.1973 Mathara Aachchi Police Officer 1974 Wasthuwa 1976 Thilaka Ha Thilaka Mangala Nedayo Mahinda Gunarathne 1977 Tom Pachaya Dancer 1978 Siri Pathula Athula Sasara Upali Rankatiya 1979 Samanmali Asanka Gahaniyak Prosecutor Higana Kolla Ronald Jayarathne 1980 Sabeetha Kinduru Kumari Thilak Mage Amma 1981 Eka Dawasak Ra Inspector Ranawaka Amme Mata Samawenna Rohana Bangali Walalu Kapila 1982 Yasa Isuru Ajith Wickramasinghe Wathura Karaththaya Rail Para 1983 Ran Mini Muthu Sister Mary Siripala Monara Thanna 2 1984 Hadawathaka Wedana Ranmalige Wasanawa Chandana / Senaka 1985 Chalitha Rangali Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna Sudu Mama Du Daruwo 1988 Sandakada Pahana Priyantha 1989 Badulu Kochchiya 1990 Jaya Kothanada Christhu Charithaya Shadipathiya 1994 Dhawala Pushpaya Pathirana Vijaya Geetha Shelterer 2002 Pissu Double Wickie Bahubuthayo Drunken god 2003 Pissu Trible Sakalasuriya 'Mudalali' Taxi Driver 2004 Left Right Sir Pinto Ohoma Harida Namali's father 2005 Samanala Thatu Doctor 2006 Ran Kevita Suran's father 2007 Sikuru Hathe Mangala Jaya Ai Oba Thaniwela 2009 Sir Last Chance Detective Sir Last Chance 2010 Kshema Bhoomi Mago Digo Dai Sargent C.K Perera / Mago 2011 King Hunther King Hunther / Ahethuka 2012 Sakvithi Dadayama Maxim 2013 It’s a Matter of Love Robert 2014 Ko Mark No Mark Mark / Minister Palutupana 2015 Suhada Koka Minister Rajamanthri 2016 64 Mayam Soysa. Posthumous release 2019 Sikuru Yogaya Master TBD Breaking News Posthumous release TBD Ela Dabala Benny / Bonny. Posthumous release