Ramya Wanigasekara

Ramya Wanigasekara (රම්‍යා වනිගසේකර; 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.

Personal 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 colage, she finally completed her education at Ruwanwella Royal College.

Wanigasekara was married to dramatist R. R. Samarakoon. Samarakoon was born on 14 August 1939 in Dekinda village, Nawalapitiya. He started primary education at St Andrew's College, Nawalapitiya and secondary education at Kingswood College, Kandy. Samarakoon died in 2010.

The affair started during the stage play Kelani Palama. The couple had one daughter, Buddhika Mudithani. Buddhika acted in Kelani Palama in little age as "Surangani". She excelled at stage costume designing.

Career
Wanigasekara entered drama as a stage playback singer with the 1974 stage play Hewayo produced by Chandi Gunathilake. After that she became the background singer in many stage plays produced by Jayatissa Alahakoon. In 1976, she first acted in Ranjith Dharmakeerthi's play Hasthiraja Mahaththaya with a minor role. After that she got the opportunity to sing background songs for Dharmakeerthi's play Angara Ganga Gala Basi with music composition by Premasiri Khemadasa. She also acted in that play in some accidental moments.

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). Later she acted in a number of plays including Sanda Kinduri, Muhudu Puththu, Ma Hene Reeri Yaka, Liyathambara, Siri Sangabo and Hiru Nathi Lowa. She played the role "Matilda" in Kelani Palama for 41 consecutive years.

In 1980, she joined Radio Ceylon to host the programme Thakshilawa. The programme contained poetry, singing, drama, and news. Beginning in 1981, she was a regular news anchor until she retired in 2006. Later, in 2008 she worked on a contract basis at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and worked as a relief newscaster. She was also Radio A-Grade Nurti singer.

In 1983, Wanigasekara was also a member of the first drama group of Dharmasena Pathiraja's documentary Gangulen Egodata on epilepsy. The play won a gold medal at a documentary competition in Germany. Later, she acted in many critically acclaimed roles in television serials such as Kande Gedara, Palingu Menike, Menik Nadiya Gala Basi, Denuwara Menike, Paba, Aluth Gedara and comedy sitcom Yes Boss. Her role in Dhamma Jagoda's Palingu Menike became the milestone in her teledrama career.

On 26 October 2019, the 40th Anniversary of the stage play Kelani Palama was celebrated at the Panibharatha Hall of the University of the Aesthetics at 3.30 pm with the title 40 Wasaraka Rangabhinandanaya. The play was first staged on 25 October 1978 at the Lumbini Theatre. In 2019, The Janabhimani or Hela Maha Rawana Rajabhimani Awards Ceremony was held at the Jasmine Auditorium at the BMICH where Wanigasekara won the Best Service Award.

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

Select television serials

 * Ahankara Nagarae
 * Ahas Gawwa
 * Aluth Gedara
 * Amarabandu Rupasinghe
 * Ammavarune
 * Chandi Kumarihami
 * Denuwara Menike
 * Diyaniyo
 * Indi Vata Addara
 * Kande Gedara
 * Koombiyo
 * Maunayagaya
 * Menik Nadiya Gala Basi
 * Nenala
 * Palingu Menike
 * Paba
 * Pehesara
 * Rathu Ahasa
 * Salsapuna
 * Sikuru Wasanthe
 * Thurya
 * Yes Boss

Awards
Wanigasekara won several awards at local festivals.

State

 * 1991 ||| Kande Gedara || Popular woman on stage and teledrama || Won
 * 1993 ||| || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 1993 ||| || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 1993 ||| || Most Popular Actress || Won

OCIC

 * 1994 ||| Kande Gedara || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 1994 ||| Kande Gedara || Most Popular Actress || Won

State Drama Festival

 * 1995 ||| Lihini || Best Supporting Actress || Won
 * 1995 ||| Lihini || Best Supporting Actress || Won

Other

 * 1990 ||| Lankadeepa Vijaya Awards || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 1991 ||| Lankadeepa Vijaya Awards || Most Popular Actress || Won
 * 2009 ||| || Liya Varuna Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Paba || ITN Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Contribution to drama || Kalabhushana Award || Won
 * 2009 ||| || Liya Varuna Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Paba || ITN Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Contribution to drama || Kalabhushana Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Contribution to drama || Kalabhushana Award || Won
 * 2010 ||| Contribution to drama || Kalabhushana Award || Won

Presidential

 * 1994/95 ||| News Reading || Best News Anchor || Won
 * 1994/95 ||| News Reading || Best News Anchor || Won

Sumathi

 * 2003 ||| ||  || Won
 * 2003 ||| ||  || Won

Raigam Tele'es

 * 2013 ||| Contribution to television || National Award || Won
 * 2013 ||| Contribution to television || National Award || Won