Kanchana Mendis

Kanchana Mendis
කාංචනා මෙන්ඩිස්
Born (1980-06-24) 24 June 1980 (age 44)
Negambo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actress, model
Years active2000–present
SpouseRoshan Ranawaka (m. 2009)
Children3
AwardsBest Actress
Most Popular Actress

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 her roles in movies Rajaya Sewaya Pinisai, Rosa Wasanthe, and television serials Damini and Sakman Maluwa.[1]

Personal life

Her father died when she was two years old.[2] She was married to Roshan Ranawaka in 2009.[3] The couple has two sons, Senitha Ryan, Nirvana Rayyon and one daughter, Keisha Ryleigh. She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her family.[4][5]

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.[6] 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".[7] She has also appeared in a Tamil film named Varnajalam, where the main roles were done by Sadha and Srikanth, as well as in Kanagalal Kai Rasi.[2] She also acted in a few stage dramas such as Dharma Sangramaya[8] by Saman Thushara and Ananga Bambaru by Richard Manawadu.[9]

In 2003, Mendis was chosen as a "brand ambassador" for the special 40th anniversary lottery ticket from the Sri Lankan National Lotteries Board.[10] During the same year, she won the Sumathi Tele award at Artscope for Most Popular Actress.[11]

Selected television serials

  • Akaradaruwa
  • Ambu Daruwo[9][12]
  • Apooru Soladaduwa
  • Athma Senehasa[13]
  • Bharyawo[14]
  • Bindena Benduma[9]
  • Bopath Sakkiya[15]
  • Dahas Gawdura[16]
  • Damini[6]
  • Dath Kekulu Pala[17]
  • Derana[9]
  • Deyyinge Kamaththa
  • Doo Daruwo
  • Fantasy Avenue
  • Girikula[18]
  • Guru Geethaya [19]
  • Hemanthaye Wasanthayak[20]
  • Indrachapa [21]
  • Isuruyogaya
  • Kinduru Nadiya[22]
  • Kulawanthayo[23]
  • Mahagedara[24]
  • Mahathala Hatana [25]
  • Makaranda[2]
  • Mal Ethana[6]
  • Maya Mansala[26]
  • Me Wasantha Kaalayai
  • Monaravila[27][28]
  • Nadeeladiya [29]
  • Nethaka Maayavee [30]
  • Pathini
  • Pinibara Yamaya[31]
  • Ridi Duvili[32]
  • Sakman Maluwa
  • Sanda Hiru Tharu[33]
  • Sandakada Thanna
  • Sandaliya[2]
  • Sanda Maddahana[34]
  • Sanduni[35]
  • Sasandara [36]
  • Sathipooja
  • Sawsiri Uyana[9]
  • Sihina Wasanthayak
  • Sinansenna Anuththara [37]
  • Siri Dev Bawana[38]
  • Suba Anagathayak
  • Sudu Mal Kanda[39]
  • Sujatha[40]
  • Suralova[2]
  • Therani Geethaya[41]
  • Wassanaye Hiru Evidin [42]

Awards

She has won several awards at local film festivals and television festivals.[citation needed] In 2000, she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in the debut movie Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai at the Presidential Awards.[43] In 2001, she won a merit award for the role in Rosa Wasanthe at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.[2]

Presidential Film Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai Best Supporting Actress[44] Won

Sarasaviya Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001 Rosa Wasanthe Merit Award Won

Sumathi Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 Most Popular Actress Won
2013 Me Wasantha Kaalayai Best Actress Won
2015 Girikula Best Actress Nominated

Raigam Tele'es

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Me Wasantha Kaalayai Best Actress Won
2015 Girikula Best Actress Nominated

Filmography

Year Film Character Notes Ref.
2000 Rajya Sevaya Pinisai Prabashwari Won Presidential Award
2001 Rosa Wasanthe Hansamali [45]
2002 Sudu Sewaneli
2003 Sakman Maluwa Prema Leading female role [46]
2003 Pura Sakmana
2003 One Shot Vishaka
2004 Varnajalam Viji Tamil film
2006 Samaara Indu [47]
2007 Nisala Gira Asela
2008 Superstar
2008 Hathara Denama Surayo remake Soma
2008 Heart FM Mandakini
2011 Sinhawalokanaya Shenali
2011 Samanala Uyana [48]
2014 Parapura Chethana
2017 Sooriya
2021 Wassane Sihinaya [49] [50]

References

  1. ^ "Sakman Maluwa : An allegorical garden". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Kanchana : A new star is born". Daily News. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  3. ^ "This life is not easy - Kanchana Mendis". Hiru FM. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. ^ "It was only after three years that I came back to Sri Lanka - Kanchana Mendis". rajagossip. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  5. ^ "My name does not appear to be me Kanchana Mendis reveals to university". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  6. ^ a b c "Famous Actresses - Kanchana Mendis". The Island. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Kanchana Mendis - කාංචනා මෙන්ඩිස් films". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Kanchana Mendis makes stage debut". lankanstuff. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Dancer turned actress". infolanka. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  10. ^ Staff writer (January 31, 2003). "Celebrities Mandira Bedi and Kanchana Mendis to promote 'Vasana Sampatha'". The Island. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  11. ^ Anjana Gamage (December 24, 2003). "Kanchana: A new star is born". Daily News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2005. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  12. ^ "'Ambu Daruwo':Sudath Rohana's new creation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Athma Senehasa teledrama". Alankulama Films. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  14. ^ ""Bharyavo" now on Sirasa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  15. ^ "Erosion of traditional values in a typical Sri Lankan milieu". The Island. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  16. ^ "'Dahas Gawdura': a formulaic telefilm". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Joint teledrama venture". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Girikula now in editing process". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Bermin brings a rare tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  20. ^ "'Hemanthe Wasanthayak': A tale with a difference". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  21. ^ "'Indrachapa':A family drama". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Teacher learns from life". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  23. ^ "'Kulawanthayo' has a social impact". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  24. ^ "'Mahagedara':A love story". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  25. ^ "'Mahathala Hatana': ITN's latest tale of Sri Lankan heroes". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  26. ^ "'Maya Mansala': A mystery drama". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  27. ^ "Monaravila Tele Drama Serie". vodtv. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  28. ^ "'Monaravila' portrays patriots". Sunday times. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  29. ^ "'Nadeeladiya': Tale of revenge". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  30. ^ "'Nethaka Maayavee' depicts drama on love and deception". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  31. ^ "'Pinibara Yamaya' for political victims". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  32. ^ "'Ridi Duvili': Develops a dramatic tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  33. ^ "The story of a brave new woman". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Rupavahini's next attraction Sanda Maddahana". Daily News. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  35. ^ "Sanduni visits on Saturdays". Daily News. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  36. ^ "'Sasandara': Intrigues of a Kapuwa". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  37. ^ "'Sinansenna Anuththara' : A tale of two couples". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  38. ^ "Siridev Bhawana: Conflict of urban living". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  39. ^ "'Sudu Mal Kanda': A love story". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  40. ^ "'Sujatha': Big screen hit ready to hit small screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  41. ^ "Therani Geethaya showcases tales of Buddhist nuns". Daily News. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  42. ^ "Of love, sacrifice and mystery". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  43. ^ "Sri Lankan film actresses - Kanchana Mendis". National Film Corporation. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  44. ^ "National Film Awards". The Island. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  45. ^ "'Parasathu Uyana' gets Udayakantha's touch". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  46. ^ Prasad Abu Bakr (October 27, 2005). "A happy union of imagery and powerful story-telling". Daily News. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  47. ^ "Sanjaya enters cinema with 'Samara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  48. ^ Susitha R. Fernando (May 3, 2011). "Sumithra's 'Samanala Uyana' faces baptismal pains". Daily News. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  49. ^ "The Separating Time Cycle 'Wassane Sihinaya'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  50. ^ "Wassane Sihinaya is coming..." Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-03-21.