# Sanath Wimalasiri

Sanath Wimalasiri (Sinhala: සනත් විමලසිරි, born 8 april 1974) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Wimalasiri is also a talented singer, television host, School Teacher, Lecturer, Counsellor, Teacher Trainer and Specialist Human Skills Development Trainer.

## Personal life

He was born on 8 april 1974 in Matale, the son of Jhoney Wimalasiri and Prema Thalgahagoda, retired aesthetic teacher instructors. His brother, Mahinda, is a senior lecturer in the University of Visual arts. Mahinda also involved in drama. Sanath completed education from Weuda Central College,Kurunegala. D.M.Gunarathna Maha Vidyalaya, matale< St. Thomas' College, Matale and Kingswood College, Kandy. Sanath completed his bachelor's degree of Fine arts (BFA) from University of the Visual and Performing Arts and then Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Drama And Theatre) from University Of Colombo. He completed Phd. from Faculty Of Education, University Of Colombo, in Psychology under the guidance of Chair Professor Manjula Vithanapathirana.[6] He is married to Vineetha Erandathi. The couple have two daughters. Vineetha is also a teacher works at Sri Jayewardenepura Balika Vidyalaya.

## Acting career

He started to act in stage dramas while studying at Kingswood College. He first stage acting came through the play Kethumathi produced by Upali Thilanka Hewage. Under the guidance of his teacher Amitha Rabbidigala, Wimalasiri joined Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s theater group. He was selected to play the lead roles in Sarachchandra's critically acclaimed plays such as Maname and Sinhabahu. In 1992, his acted in the serial Nedayo directed by Nalan Mendis, which marked his entrance to television serials. His maiden cinema acting came through 2003 film Sonduru Dadabima directed by Anura Horatious. His most notable acting came through comedy film Sri Last Chance.
He hosted the television programs Visi Ek Wani Peya and Sarsaraniya telecast on Swarnawahini. Sinal Soyanna Dinanna and Hedakara Hendewa telecast on ITN. He hosted Potawe Isakkaluwa telecast on TV One. He also conducts the programme, Sanath Ekka Jeewithayata Idadenna, an innovative musical event which improves people's prosocial attitudes.

### Selected stage dramas

* Kethumathi
* Promitheous
* Raja Jalliya
* Dummala Warama
* Hasthikantha Manthare
* Maname
* Mandela Mandela
* Oba Sapekshai
* Last Bus Eke Kathawa
* Raththaran
* Elowa Gihin Melowa Aawa
* Kada Walalu
* Lomahansa
* Bhawa Kadathurawa
* Asammathaya
* Kunu Kanuwak Saha Nommara Dekak
* Sihala Wansala
* Ayu Kal
* Prathiroopa
* Guru Tharuwa
* Sudu Redi Hora
* Dall's House
* Pematho Jayathi Soko
* Nil Rosa Mala
* Samath Api Asamath
* Lysistrata
* Makarata
* Raja Man Wahala
* Rathnawali
* Sinhabahu
* Honda Hawai Danga Hawai
* Sinhaya Avilla
* Mati Karaththaya
* Mahasara
* Thakadombe

### Selected television serials

* Amarabandu Rupasinghe
* Anora
* Asani Wesi
* Atawaka Sanda
* Bhavathra
* Bonikko
* Bopath Ella
* Chandi Kumarihami
* Chaya
* Crime Scene
* Dedunu Sihina
* Divithura
* Diya Yata Gini
* Diya Sithuvam
* Eka Kusa Upan Ewun
* Eth Kanda Lihini
* Gimhana Tharanaya
* Girikula
* Googly
* Heeye Manaya
* Hiru Daruwo
* Hummanaya
* Imaka Pema
* Ingammaaruwa
* Ithin Eta Passe
* Kekiri
* Lansupathiniyo
* Lanvee
* Maada Eyama Wiya
* Maddahana
* Maha Polowa
* Mama Nemei Mama
* Manikkawatha
* Meeduma Obai
* Miringu Ima
* Mudawapu Kirilli
* Muthu Pihatu
* Nedeyo
* Onna Ohe Menna Mehe
* Paradeesaya
* Pingala Danawwa
* Piya Geta Pela
* Pork Veediya
* Ran Mehesi
* Raththaran Neth
* Ridee Siththam
* Sakala Vikala
* Samartha
* Sathi Pooja
* Shoba
* Sihina Piyapath
* Situ Gedara
* Star Sri Lanka Histhanak
* Subha Prarthana
* Suddilage Kathawa
* Sura Pura Sara
* Suwanda Para Nowe
* Swarnapalee
* Thalaya Soyana Geethaya
* Tharupaba
* Thuththiri
* Viyali

## Beyond acting

Initially he worked as the aesthetic teacher in D. S. Senanayake College. Currently, he is a teacher of drama and theater at Rahula Girls' School, Malabe. He is also attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura Zonal Education Office as an Assistant Lecturer. He is also an external lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, lecturer in law at the National Institute of Law and in addition to being a consultant in manpower.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Roles |
| 2003 | Sonduru Dadabima | Kamal Palihakkara 'Dhammika Pitigala' |
| 2007 | Uppalawanna | Upuli's lover |
| 2009 | Sir Last Chance | Arti |
| 2013 | Ira Laga Wadi | Kumara |
| 2023 | Nattami Army | Surā |
| TBD | Imaka Pema | Kumara |
| TBD | Hela Langa | |
| TBD | Uyanata Mal Genna | |

## Awards

In 1997, Wimalasiri won the award for the Best Actor in Youth Awards Festival and State Drama Festival in 1998. He won the award for the Best Upcoming actor for the role in Rejina at Sumathi Awards. Then, he won the Silver Award for Asani Wesi at SIGNIS awards.

### State Drama Festival

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 1997 | Oba Sapekshai | Best Actor | Won |
| 1998 | Asammathaya | Best Actor | Won |
| 2016 | Raja Man Wahala | Best Actor | Won |