# Manel Wanaguru

Manel Chinthamani Wanaguru (Sinhala: මානෙල් වානගුරු; born 18 October 1951), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television.

## Personal life

Manel Wanaguru was born on 18 October 1951. Her father Dudley Samuel Wanaguru was also an actor in Sinhala cinema. Dudley was born on 16 December 1922 and died on 29 July, 2003. He was a past pupil of St. Joseph's College, Wattala. He made his debut acting through film Eda Ra and then acted in many films such as Daiwa Wipakaya, Hadisi Vivahaya, Gehenu Geta and Patachara. He also directed the film Sengawunu Menika. Her mother was Indrani Dissanayake, who was a housewife. Manel has six siblings: Upendra, Lakshman, Tissa, Nihal, Tamara, and Rohan.
Wanaguru is married to Ananda Wickramage, who is also a renowned actor and comedian. The couple has two sons - Janith Wickramage and Sanketh Wickramage, both are actors.

## Acting career
### Selected television serials

* Akuru Maki Na
* Anne
* Bath Amma
* Bindunu Sith
* Dedunnai Adare
* Dedunnen Eha
* Gimhana Tharanaya
* Girikula
* Hada Pudasuna
* Hoduwawa
* Kadulu Thahanchiya
* Kammiththa
* Kokila Ginna
* Maruk Mal
* Medagedara
* Mila
* Nadeeladiya
* Nisala Diya Sasala Viya
* Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni
* Patalawilla
* Paata Veeduru
* Pawani
* Pem Piyawara
* Pooja
* Prema Parami
* Rangamadala Samugani
* Rashmi
* Ruwan Sakmana
* Sahas Gaw Dura
* Salsapuna
* Sanda Nodutu Sanda
* Sanda Numba Nam
* Sasara Sarani
* Shaun
* Sihina Kumari
* Sihina Puraya
* Sivusiya Gawwa
* Urumaya Soya
* Visirunu Renu

### Selected stage dramas

* Raja Kapilla
* Stella Setwela
* Su Saha Guru

## Filmography

Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1958 film Vanaliya directed by B.A.W. Jayamanne.
Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1958 | Vanaliya | |
| 1973 | Sadahatama Oba Mage | |
| 1973 | Dahakin Ekek | Shyama's friend |
| 1974 | Kasthuri Suwanda | Letchemi |
| 1974 | Dinum Kanuwa | |
| 1974 | Wasthuwa | |
| 1975 | Hitha Honda Minihek | Caretaker |
| 1975 | Cyril Malli | |
| 1975 | Kalu Diya Dahara | |
| 1975 | Pem Kurullo | |
| 1975 | Tharanga | Tharanga |
| 1975 | Amaraneeya Adare | |
| 1975 | Kokilayo | |
| 1975 | Rajagedara Paraviyo | |
| 1976 | Nilla Soya | Nilmini 'Seetha' 'Meena' |
| 1977 | Neela | |
| 1977 | Hithuwakkarayo | |
| 1978 | Tikira | Geetha |
| 1978 | Sithaka Suwanda | Lillian |
| 1978 | Asha Desin | |
| 1978 | Apsara | |
| 1978 | Kumara Kumariyo | Princey Ranawaka |
| 1979 | Samanmalee | Kamini |
| 1979 | Hari Pudumai | Rangan |
| 1980 | Doctor Susantha | |
| 1980 | Seetha | |
| 1980 | Raktha | |
| 1980 | Sabeetha | Chamila |
| 1981 | Sathkulu Pawwa | Nimal's sister |
| 1982 | Sudu Ayya | Susee |
| 1982 | Jeewithayen Jeewithayak | |
| 1982 | Rahasak Nathi Rahasak | |
| 1982 | Eka Diga Kathawak | |
| 1982 | Kiri Suwanda | |
| 1983 | Karate Joe | |
| 1984 | Ranmalige Wasanawa | Manel |
| 1984 | Kokila | Manjula |
| 1984 | Namal Renu | |
| 1984 | Hadawathaka Wedana | |
| 1984 | Birinda | |
| 1985 | Adarayaka Mahima | Seetha Pararajasekaram |
| 1985 | Sudu Mama | |
| 1985 | Du Daruwo | |
| 1986 | Peralikarayo | Ivonne |
| 1987 | Nommara Ekai | Sharada |
| 1989 | Badulu Kochchiya | |
| 1990 | Jaya Shakthi | |
| 1990 | Walawwe Hamu | |
| 1990 | Pem Rajadahana | |
| 1992 | Okkoma Kanapita | |
| 1992 | Kulageya | Mervyn's elder sister |
| 1993 | Mawila Penewi Roope Hade | |
| 1993 | Weli Sulanga | Kathy |
| 1994 | Rajawanshen Ekek | |
| 1995 | Ira Handa Illa | |
| 1997 | Apaye Thappara Asu Haradahak | |
| 1997 | Goodbye Tokyo | |
| 2001 | Jolly Hallo | Brando's mother |
| 2002 | Surapurata Kanyaviyak | |
| 2002 | Cheriyo Holman | |
| 2003 | Numba Nadan Apita Pissu | Sepalika's mother |
| 2006 | Eka Malaka Pethi | |
| 2006 | Supiri Balawatha | |
| 2010 | Thank You Berty | Opal |
| 2010 | Viyapath Bambara | |
| 2011 | Sweet Angel | |
| 2011 | Gamani | NGO Committee member |
| 2011 | Putha Mage Suraya | |
| 2012 | Sihinaya Dige Enna | Manel |
| 2013 | Peeter One | Dalryn |
| 2014 | Que Sera | |
| 2015 | Sanjana | |
| 2015 | Lantin Singho | Rupawathi Meniyo |
| 2017 | Hima Tharaka | |
| 2017 | Nilanjana | Shirani |
| 2017 | Sellam Nethnam Lellam | |
| 2018 | Seya | Convent Nun |
| 2018 | Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru | |
| 2023 | Meka Puduma Kathawak | |
| TBA | Kidnap † | |
| TBA | Adarei Jaanu † | |
| TBA | Nuhuru Vaeyama † | |

## Awards
### Deepashika Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1974 | Kasthuri Suwanda | Best Dramatic Performance | Won |

### Deepashika Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2021 | Contribution to Cinema | U.W. Sumathipala Lifetime | Won |