Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Thalatha Abeykoon (born 17 July 1937 – died 17 September 2003 as Sinhala: තලතා ගුණසේකර) [Sinhala]), popularly as Thalatha Gunasekara, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] She is the mother of popular actress Nadeeka Gunasekara.[2][3]
Gunasekara was born on 17 July 1937 in Gampola, Kandy, Sri Lanka as the eldest of the family with five siblings.[4] Her father, Tikiri Banda Abeykoon from Gampola was a Government Health Inspector. Her mother, Leelawathi Abeykoon Menike had the longest surname in the history of Sri Lanka castes where her birth name was Akkada Mukkada Weera Rambukkada Rambuke Jayagath Diyathilaka Koralege Ilanganthilaka Mudiyanselage Leelawathi Ilanganthilaka. It was a noble caste of Kandy who paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic with jasmine flowers. Thalatha had two younger sisters, Sita and Sri Kanthi; and two younger brothers, Senarath and Sena.[5]
She received her primary education at Kingswood College, Kandy. After that, she studied at Hillwood College, Kandy amidst the strict rules of his parents. At school, she studied western music and got prizes for playing the piano.[5]
She was married to Dissanayake Wijesuriya Stanley Gunasekara from Udahenatenna. He worked at Nawalapitiya and Pussellawa post offices.[6] He later served as the Deputy Postmaster General. The couple had one son: Priyantha and four daughters: Nadeeka,[7] Ganga, Vidya and Yamuna, all are actresses.[8] Stanley died on 18 April 2010.
Nadeeka was born on 13 May 1958 in Kandy.[9] In 1973, she attended Pushpadana Girls' College, Kandy and finally to Vishaka College, Bandarawela. She completed A/L from the art stream in Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy. She is married to businessman Suren Hapuarachchi and in 2004, the couple had one daughter, Thenuki Sehansa. She is an actress who starred in several popular blockbuster films in Sinhala cinema including; Kanchana, Chanchala Rekha, Biththi Hathara, Thani Tharuwa, Ahinsa, Oba Mata Wiswasai, Angara Dangara and Daruwane.[10]
Nadeeka's sister Ganga acted in the films Adishtana, Okkoma Rajawaru and Kanchana. Vidya acted in the films Adishtana and Me Desa Kumatada whereas and Yamuna acted in the teledrama Hingana Kolla.[5]
She died on 17 September 2003 at the age of 66.
Early life
After passing the Senior Examination in English medium, she went to Zahira College, Gampola to do further University Entrance. While studying at University Entrance, the principal assigned to teach senior students as well. At the age of 17, she received her first appointment as an English Assistant Teacher at St. Andrew's College, Nawalapitiya where she got to teach her peers. Some popular students were Jenny Winifrida (film actress) and K.S. Venkat (Film Director) and Ahangama Piyasena (Film Actors). In 1957, she was appointed as an English teacher in the Government College, Pussellawa.[5]
Cinema career
Thalatha became interested in acting in a film after seeing Rukmani Devi's performance. This passion grew up when she saw Wimala Vanzia, a friend who lived in Gampola, playing the lead role in the film Dingiri Menika in 1955. One day Wimala forcibly asked Thalatha for a photo and sent it to the producer of the film Deiyanne Rate, S. V. D. S. Somaratnethe. Then Somaratne sent the photo to director Ramachandran. Later, she was cast in the lead role of 'Katherine', but she did not get the chance because of her parents' strong reluctance.[5]
After her marriage, she received an invitation from renowned filmmaker Lester James Peries. During this time the filming of 'Gamperaliya' has begun. She was selected for the role 'Nanda' in the film. However, she lost the role because she is taller than Gamini Fonseka and Henry Jayasena who played the lead roles.[5]
After few years, she sent an application for a film that Cinemas was producing without a name after seen an advertisement in the 'Sunday Observer' newspaper. In 1963, she made her maiden cinema appearance with the film Adata Wadiya Hitha Hondai directed by Indian filmmaker Masthan. In the film, she played the kind wife of the villain played by Christy Leonard Perera. Her first lead role came through the film Sapatha Soya as a wife beaten by a drunken husband.[5]
Then she appeared in several early Sinhala films including, Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe, Samiya Birindage Deviyaya and Patachara. Some of her most dramatic roles came through the film Abhirahasa where she plays the stepmother who falls in love with Vijaya Kumaratunga, a servant of a wealthy household.[5] Then she made a critically acclaimed role of 'Namakka' in the film Podi Malli. Then she appeared several blockbuster films such as Nidhanaya, Sikuruliya, Davena Pipasaya, Hathara Denama Surayo, Hingana Kolla, Sadahatama Oba Mage, Apeksha, Nomiyena Minisun and Maldeniye Simion.
In 1998, she became a film producer and screenwriter with the 1998 film Aye Obata Barai.[5]
thalatha, gunasekara, abeykoon, mudiyanselage, thalatha, abeykoon, born, july, 1937, died, september, 2003, sinhala, තලත, ණස, කර, sinhala, popularly, actress, lankan, cinema, mother, popular, actress, nadeeka, gunasekara, තලත, ණස, කරbornabeykoon, mudiyanselage. Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Thalatha Abeykoon born 17 July 1937 died 17 September 2003 as Sinhala තලත ග ණස කර Sinhala popularly as Thalatha Gunasekara was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema 1 She is the mother of popular actress Nadeeka Gunasekara 2 3 Thalatha Gunasekaraතලත ග ණස කරBornAbeykoon Mudiyanselage Thalatha Abeykoon 1937 07 17 17 July 1937Kandy Sri LankaDied17 September 2003 2003 09 17 aged 66 Kandy Sri LankaNationalitySri LankanOther namesThalatha AbeykoonEducationHillwood CollegeOccupation s Actress film producer screenwriter lyricistYears active1963 2002SpouseStanley GunasekaraChildren4 Including Nadeeka GunasekaraParentsTikiri Banda Abeykoon father Leelawathi Abeykoon Menike mother RelativesVidya de Saram daughter Contents 1 Personal life 2 Early life 3 Cinema career 4 Filmography 5 References 6 External linksPersonal life EditGunasekara was born on 17 July 1937 in Gampola Kandy Sri Lanka as the eldest of the family with five siblings 4 Her father Tikiri Banda Abeykoon from Gampola was a Government Health Inspector Her mother Leelawathi Abeykoon Menike had the longest surname in the history of Sri Lanka castes where her birth name was Akkada Mukkada Weera Rambukkada Rambuke Jayagath Diyathilaka Koralege Ilanganthilaka Mudiyanselage Leelawathi Ilanganthilaka It was a noble caste of Kandy who paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic with jasmine flowers Thalatha had two younger sisters Sita and Sri Kanthi and two younger brothers Senarath and Sena 5 She received her primary education at Kingswood College Kandy After that she studied at Hillwood College Kandy amidst the strict rules of his parents At school she studied western music and got prizes for playing the piano 5 She was married to Dissanayake Wijesuriya Stanley Gunasekara from Udahenatenna He worked at Nawalapitiya and Pussellawa post offices 6 He later served as the Deputy Postmaster General The couple had one son Priyantha and four daughters Nadeeka 7 Ganga Vidya and Yamuna all are actresses 8 Stanley died on 18 April 2010 Nadeeka was born on 13 May 1958 in Kandy 9 In 1973 she attended Pushpadana Girls College Kandy and finally to Vishaka College Bandarawela She completed A L from the art stream in Mahamaya Girls College Kandy She is married to businessman Suren Hapuarachchi and in 2004 the couple had one daughter Thenuki Sehansa She is an actress who starred in several popular blockbuster films in Sinhala cinema including Kanchana Chanchala Rekha Biththi Hathara Thani Tharuwa Ahinsa Oba Mata Wiswasai Angara Dangara and Daruwane 10 Nadeeka s sister Ganga acted in the films Adishtana Okkoma Rajawaru and Kanchana Vidya acted in the films Adishtana and Me Desa Kumatada whereas and Yamuna acted in the teledrama Hingana Kolla 5 She died on 17 September 2003 at the age of 66 Early life EditAfter passing the Senior Examination in English medium she went to Zahira College Gampola to do further University Entrance While studying at University Entrance the principal assigned to teach senior students as well At the age of 17 she received her first appointment as an English Assistant Teacher at St Andrew s College Nawalapitiya where she got to teach her peers Some popular students were Jenny Winifrida film actress and K S Venkat Film Director and Ahangama Piyasena Film Actors In 1957 she was appointed as an English teacher in the Government College Pussellawa 5 Cinema career EditThalatha became interested in acting in a film after seeing Rukmani Devi s performance This passion grew up when she saw Wimala Vanzia a friend who lived in Gampola playing the lead role in the film Dingiri Menika in 1955 One day Wimala forcibly asked Thalatha for a photo and sent it to the producer of the film Deiyanne Rate S V D S Somaratnethe Then Somaratne sent the photo to director Ramachandran Later she was cast in the lead role of Katherine but she did not get the chance because of her parents strong reluctance 5 After her marriage she received an invitation from renowned filmmaker Lester James Peries During this time the filming of Gamperaliya has begun She was selected for the role Nanda in the film However she lost the role because she is taller than Gamini Fonseka and Henry Jayasena who played the lead roles 5 After few years she sent an application for a film that Cinemas was producing without a name after seen an advertisement in the Sunday Observer newspaper In 1963 she made her maiden cinema appearance with the film Adata Wadiya Hitha Hondai directed by Indian filmmaker Masthan In the film she played the kind wife of the villain played by Christy Leonard Perera Her first lead role came through the film Sapatha Soya as a wife beaten by a drunken husband 5 Then she appeared in several early Sinhala films including Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe Samiya Birindage Deviyaya and Patachara Some of her most dramatic roles came through the film Abhirahasa where she plays the stepmother who falls in love with Vijaya Kumaratunga a servant of a wealthy household 5 Then she made a critically acclaimed role of Namakka in the film Podi Malli Then she appeared several blockbuster films such as Nidhanaya Sikuruliya Davena Pipasaya Hathara Denama Surayo Hingana Kolla Sadahatama Oba Mage Apeksha Nomiyena Minisun and Maldeniye Simion In 1998 she became a film producer and screenwriter with the 1998 film Aye Obata Barai 5 Filmography EditYear Film Role Ref 1963 Adata Vediya Heta Hondai 11 1964 Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe1964 Patachara1964 Samiya Birindage Deviyaya 12 1965 Sepatha Soya Shantha1966 Sihina Hathak Anula 13 1966 Kommissar X Bartender1966 Sanda Naga Eddi1967 Rena Giraw Villager 14 1967 Okkoma Hari 15 1967 Sura Chauraya1968 Singithi Surathal1968 Golu Hadawatha 16 1968 Bicycle Hora1968 Indunila1968 Ataweni Pudumaya1969 Kohomada Wade1969 Paara Walalu1969 Pancha1970 Aathma Pooja1971 Abhirahasa Mrs Wanigasekara step mother 17 1971 Davena Pipasa1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Nilmini s step mother1972 Nidhanaya Willie s childhood nanny 18 1972 Veeduru Gewal Menaka s lure Ira 1972 Me Desa Kumatada Vijay s mother1972 Vanaraja Assistant Director1974 Vasthuwa1974 Kasthuri Suwanda Maya1975 Suraya Surayamai 19 1975 Sikuruliya 20 1976 Loka Horu1977 Sakunthala1977 Sikuru Dasawa1978 Janaka Saha Manju Manju s mother1978 Apeksha1978 Ahasin Polowata1979 Samanmali1979 Hingana Kolla Annie 21 1979 Raja Kolla Hopper seller1979 Anusha Mrs Ratnayake s sister1979 Podi Malli Nam Akka 1980 Kanchana1980 Sasaraka Pathum1981 Vajira Vajira s aunt1981 Chanchala Rekha Sirisena and Chutti s mother1982 Sakvithi Suwaya Malini s sister in law1982 Thani Tharuwa Tanuja1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak1982 Sithara1983 Samuganimi Ma Samiyani1983 Hasthi Viyaruwa1983 Hithath Hondai Wedath Hondai1984 Binari Saha Sudu Banda Yaso1984 Sahodariyakage Kathawa1984 Birinda1985 Kirimaduwal1986 Maldeniye Simion Rosalin1987 Yugayen Yugayata1989 Sebaliyo1991 Salambak Handai1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya1991 Keli Madala Sugala1991 Bambara Kalapaya1992 Sisila Gini Gani Mrs Dunuwilla1992 Chandi Rajina1992 Me Ware Mage1992 Oba Mata Wishwasai1992 Sinhayangeth Sinhaya Rohini s mother1993 Sagara Thilina1993 Bambasara Bisaw1994 Nomiyena Minisun1995 Rodaya1996 Anantha Rathriya Narmada s mother1996 Sihina Vimane Kumariya Nilmini s mother1996 Mal Hathai1997 Puthuni Mata Wasana1997 Goodbye Tokyo1998 Aeya Obata Barai Sahan s Auntie Screenwriter Producer Lyricist1998 Anthima Reya1999 Ayadimi Samaa Tikiri s mother1999 Anduru Sewaneli1999 Mandakini2000 Anuragaye Ananthaya Scholarship reneger2001 Poronduwa2002 Surapurata KanyaviyakReferences Edit Actresses in Sinhala cinema Thalatha Gunasekara Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema 2020 Retrieved 28 February 2020 Nadeeka Gunasekara filmography Sinhala Cinema Database Retrieved 18 August 2019 Mothers daughters Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 Upcountry artists Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 a b c d e f g h i Actress who missed remarkable roles Thalatha Gunasekara Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 Lesser Known Facts About Nadeeka Gunasekara Lanka Help Retrieved 18 August 2019 Mothers and daughters in our art world lifie Retrieved 2021 04 26 Nadeeka Gunasekera talks about her mother Thalatha Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 27 Star daughters of Star mothers saaravita Retrieved 2021 04 27 Nadeeka a part of the film industry The Island Retrieved 18 August 2019 All about the film Adata Wada Heta Hondai Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 May you live long in this world wherever you are Samiya Birindage Deviyaya Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 All about the film Sihina Hathak Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 All about the film Rena Giraw Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 All about Okkoma Hari Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 The dumb heart that has never been read Golu Hadawatha Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 The mystery of wasps coming in search of honey Abhirahasa Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 Unmatched treasure Nidhanaya Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 Come to think of it big ladies Suraya Surayamai Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 Sikurulia left me Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 All about Hingana Kolla Sarasaviya Retrieved 2021 04 26 External links EditThalatha Gunasekara at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thalatha Gunasekara amp oldid 1056716683, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
