Gamini Fonseka
Sembune Gamini Fonseka, the greatest actor and the super star in the Silver screen was born in Dehiwala in 1936. Gamini who received his education at Presbyterian Girl’s Schooled and St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia entered the world of cinema through a drama (Mayuri) while still in school.
Joe Abeywickrama
Gamman Patabendige Don Joe Abeywickrama, the most excellent actor of the Sinhala Silver Screen was born in Lellopitiya in Ratnapura in 1927. He received his education at Dippitigala mixed school and Seevali Vidyalaya, Ratnapura. Joe once worked in the Nawajeewana Studio that belonged to Sirisena Wimalaweera.
Titus Thotawatta
Don Mannel Titus de Silva Thotawatta, a renowned film director, editor, painter, script writer and a prolific journalist was born in Borella on 29th April 1929. He studied in the Ananda college, Colombo and passed the G.C.E.(Advanced Level) examination first in the Arts stream and then in Science. He pioneered to form the Arts society of Ananda College. Titus studied music under Shesha Palihakkara. He once won the highest price awarded to the best painter at Ananda College.
Malani Fonseka
Malani Fonseka who was crowned the Queen of the Sinhala Silver Screen was born in 1947 in Kelaniya. She played a role in the stage drama ‘Noratha rather’ while she was still a student in Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. Later she played roles in ‘Amal Biso’, ‘Iva Bava Nethi Lova’, Guththila’, ‘Erabadu Mal Pottu pipila’, ‘Heru Awarata Giyane’ and ‘Akal Wessa’. She was awarded the best actress award in 1965 for acting in Akal Wessa. Having entered the Silver Screen through ‘Punchi Baba’ she reached the pinnacle of popularity in the latter part of the 1960s. She won the hearts of film lovers through her performance in films such as ‘Den Mathakadad’ ‘Hatara Denama Soorayo’, ‘Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya ‘, ‘Thushara’, ‘AvaSoya adare’, ‘Sangeetha’, and ‘Mihidum Sihin’.
Sandya Kumari
Sandya Kumari who made the role of Rosaline, a harsh character that always Quarrel with men and repulsed men in the film ‘Dheewarayo’ in the 1960s, immortal was born in Kotahena in Colombo in 1945. Film director Sirisena Wimalaweera had met Jayasooriya Arachchige Mary Yvonne Perera studying at Holy Family Convent in Kotahena in an evening. It was because she was met in an evening that she was named ‘Sandya Kumari by Sirisena Wimalaweera. (Sandya means evening in Sinhala).
