Kanchana Mendis

Kanchana Mendis, (born June 24, 1980 as කාංචනා මෙන්ඩිස්) [Sinhala]) is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. She is best known for the roles in movies Rajaya Sewaya Pinisai, Rosa Wasanthe and television serials Damini and Sakman Maluwa.

Personal life
Her father died when she was two years old. She is married to Roshan Ranawaka in 2009. The couple has two sons - Senitha Ryan,Nirvana Rayyon and one daughter Keisha Ryleigh. She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her family.

Career
She became popular with the television advertisement Ninja Mosquito Coil along with Sanath Wimalasiri and Nimanthi Porage in 1998. She acted in the television serial Suba Anagathayak at the age of 12 directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja. She entered the mainstream film industry through the 2000 Sinhala film Rajaya Sewaya Pinisai directed by Udayakantha Warnasuriya with the character of a private secretary "Prabashwari". She has also appeared in a Tamil films named Varnajalam where the main roles were done by Sadha and Srikanth as well as in Kanagalal Kai Rasi. She also acted in few stage dramas such as Dharma Sangramaya by Saman Thushara and Ananga Bambaru by Richard Manawadu.

In 2003, Mendis was chosen as a "Brand Ambassador" for the special 40th anniversary lottery ticket from the Sri Lankan National Lotteries Board. During the same year, she won the Sumathi Tele award at Artscope for Most Popular Actress.

Selected television serials

 * Akaradaruwa
 * Ambu Daruwo
 * Apooru Soladaduwa
 * Athma Senehasa
 * Bharyawo
 * Bindena Benduma
 * Bopath Sakkiya
 * Dahas Gawdura
 * Damini
 * Dath Kekulu Pala
 * Derana
 * Deyyinge Kamaththa
 * Doo Daruwo
 * Fantasy Avenue
 * Girikula
 * Guru Geethaya
 * Hemanthaye Wasanthayak
 * Indrachapa
 * Isuruyogaya
 * Kinduru Nadiya
 * Kulawanthayo
 * Mahagedara
 * Mahathala Hatana
 * Makaranda
 * Mal Ethana
 * Maya Mansala
 * Me Wasantha Kaalayai
 * Monaravila
 * Nadeeladiya
 * Nethaka Maayavee
 * Pathini
 * Pinibara Yamaya
 * Ridi Duvili
 * Sakman Maluwa
 * Sanda Hiru Tharu
 * Sandakada Thanna
 * Sandaliya
 * Sanda Maddahana
 * Sanduni
 * Sasandara
 * Sathipooja
 * Sawsiri Uyana
 * Sihina Wasanthayak
 * Sinansenna Anuththara
 * Siri Dev Bawana
 * Suba Anagathayak
 * Sudu Mal Kanda
 * Sujatha
 * Suralova
 * Therani Geethaya
 * Wassanaye Hiru Evidin

Awards
She has won several awards at the local film festivals and television festivals. In 2000, she won the award for the Best Supporting Actress in the debut movie Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai at Presidential Awards. In 2001, she won a merit award for the role in Rosa Wasanthe at Sarasaviya Film Festival.

Presidential Film Awards

 * 2000 ||| Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai || Best Supporting Actress || Won
 * 2000 ||| Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai || Best Supporting Actress || Won

Sarasaviya Awards

 * 2001 ||| Rosa Wasanthe || Merit Award || Won
 * 2001 ||| Rosa Wasanthe || Merit Award || Won

Sumathi Awards

 * 2003 ||| ''' || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 2013 ||| Me Wasantha Kaalayai || Best Actress || Won
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
 * 2013 ||| Me Wasantha Kaalayai || Best Actress || Won
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||

Raigam Tele'es

 * 2012 ||| Me Wasantha Kaalayai || Best Actress || Won
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
 * 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||