Shalani Tharaka

Shalani Tharaka
ශලනි තාරකා
Born
Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalani Tharaka Wijayabandara

(1990-11-15) 15 November 1990 (age 35)
Balangoda, Sri Lanka
EducationNewstead Girls College
OccupationsActress, model, dancer, presenter, lyricist
Years active2007 - present
SpouseNihatha Salgado (m. 2023)
Parents
  • Susantha Wijayabandara (father)
  • Suraji Fernando (mother)
AwardsBest Actress
Most Popular Actress
WebsiteOfficial Website

Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalani Tharaka Wijayabandara, popularly as Shalani Tharaka (born 15 November 1990), is a Sri Lankan actress and model.[1] One of the most popular television actresses in Sri Lanka, Tharaka holds the title for the Sri Lankan beauty pageant Sirasa Kumariya which she won in 2007.[2] Apart from acting, she is also a dancer, lyricist and author.

Personal life

Shalani Tharaka was born on 15 November 1990 in Balangoda, Sri Lanka. Her mother Suraji Fernando is an actress in Sinhala cinema and television.[3] Shalani completed eduation from Newstead Girls College, Negambo.

Shalani is married to her longtime partner Nihatha Salgado, where the wedding was celebrated in 18 August 2023.[4]

Career

In 2007, when she was seventeen years old, she won the beauty pageant Sirasa Kumariya organized by Sirasa TV which brought her into mainstream popularity. Her maiden acting came through the television serial Poojasanaya directed by Sherly P. Delankawala. Her co-star in Poojasanaya was Suraj Mapa. Later she acted in many television serials in several genre such as Isuru Bawana, Hansi, Giridevi, Api Api Wage (I & II), Ganga Addara and Sanda Sanda Wage which gained popularity.[5][6]

Apart from teledramas she has also contributed in the TV commercials for Hero Honda, Raino[7] and Janet. She has also played parts in music videos such as Oya Dese by Prinyan, Mata Oya by D n S, Wasthuwe by Shafee ft. Delon.

In 2012, Tharaka made her maiden cinema appearance in the movie Selvam. She played the role of "Medhavi".[8] Later she appeared in lead role in the horror film Spandana. She also contested in the second season of Sirasa Dancing Stars as well as Hiru Super Dancer.[9]

On 19 September 2020, she was awarded both Best teledrama actress and Most popular teledrama actress at 16th Raigam Tele'es ceremony. It was the first time in 24 years where one actress won both awards at the same time.[10] In 2021, she appeared in the Raffealla Fernando Celebrity Calendar along with many other Sri Lankan celebrities which is considered as one of the highest civilian honours awarded to an individual.[11]

Selected Television series

  • Adara Sandawaniya
  • A/L Iwarai
  • Aluth Gedara
  • Api Api Wage
  • Batahira Ahasa
  • Diya Matha Liyami
  • Ganga Addara
  • Giridevi
  • Hansi
  • Haara Kotiya
  • Isuru Bhawana
  • Kiya Denna Adare Tharam
  • Mage Adara Awanaduwa
  • Meenu
  • Mithu
  • Poojasanaya
  • Sanda Pini Bidaka
  • Sanda Sanda Wage
  • Sath Rala Pela
  • Sihinayaki Jeewithe
  • Tharu Ahasata Adarei
  • Veeduru Thira
  • Wassanaye Premaya

Filmography

Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
Year Film Roles Ref.
2012 Selvam Medhavi [12]
2016 Spandana Mayumi [13]
2018 Nela Nela [14]
2023 Viyasiduru Taniya [15]
TBA Adventures of Ricky Deen † Star [16]
TBA Akarsha †
TBA Maayawi †
TBA Saraa Susum † [17]

Awards

Sumathi Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Peoples' vote Most Popular Actress Won
2015 Handapana Gala Best Upcoming Actress[18] Won
2018 Peoples' vote Most Popular Actress[19] Won

Raigam Tele'es

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 Punchi Walawwa Jury Award[20] Won
2016 Peoples' vote Most Popular Actress[21] Won
2020 Peoples' vote Most Popular Actress Won
2020 Ado Best Actress[22] Won
2022 Kiya Denna Adare Tharam Most Popular Actress Won

Derana Film Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019 Peoples' vote Lux Glamorous Star [23] Won

SIGNIS OCIC Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 Giridevi Best Actress Won

References

  1. ^ "Shalani Tharaka filmography". Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  2. ^ Sirasa Kumariya 2007 Final at BMICH 05/23/2007.
  3. ^ "'Issarahata Yanna'; Story between a doctor and a conductor". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  4. ^ ""විවාහය දෙදරවමින් ශලනි තාරකා දික්කසාදයට සූදානම් වෙයි.. "ප්‍රේක්ෂකයන් හඩවමින් සිදු වෙන්න යන දේ..." gagana. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Giridevi who hates herself". Aruna. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Shalani Tharaka is in a crazy case". Divaina. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Making of the " Raino Tv commercial " - Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  8. ^ "Shalani Tharaka films". IMDb. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Shalani Tharaka became a mermaid". Saaravita. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Winter is coming but spring is coming". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Rafaela's calendar changed by art stars". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Sanjaya returns with 'Selvam'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Spandana on screen". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Sinhala screened films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  15. ^ "The first feature film from a university". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Reflections of life's journey in a valley". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  17. ^ ""සරා සුසුම්" ළඟදීම". dinamina. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Sumathi Tele awards held under President's patronage". ITN News.[dead link]
  19. ^ "Sumathi Awards 2018 award winners". Sarasaviya.
  20. ^ "Raigam Tele'es 2014 award winners". Sarasaviya.
  21. ^ "Raigam Tele'es 2015 award winners". Sarasaviya.
  22. ^ "Raigam Tele'es Best Actress and Most Popular Actress: Shalani Tharaka". Silumina. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Derana Lux Film Awards 2019".
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalani_Tharaka