# Maureen Charuni

Kurukulasuriya Maureen O'Hara Perera (born 19 September, 1963 as මොරින් චාරුනී) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Maureen Charuni, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema theater and television. Highly versatile actress who dominated television drama, Charuni usually acts in young motherly roles in many dramas and films.

## Personal life

She was born on 19 September 1963 in the village Emibillawatta, in Wadakada, Kurunegala as the eldest of the family. Her father, who was very fond of western cinema, named the first child by the name of American actress Maureen O'Hara. She has one younger brother, Janaka and two younger sisters: Mala and Meena. The family moved to Wennappuwa because her father wanted to send the three girls to a girls' school. Then she studied in Holy Family Girls School, Wennappuwa.
She passed Advanced level with honors in Commerce stream. Meanwhile, she studied sitar under teacher Tharsi Warnakulasuriya and assistant teacher Ansus. Then she completed the exams in Sri Lanka and Visharad part one in India. After obtaining the degree, she worked as a teacher for few years and taught English language, English literature and sitar playing.
She is married to Gihan Ranjith Imbulana, who is involved in the tourism industry. The couple has one daughter.

## Acting career

Initially her father strongly opposed her decision to become an actress. She unexpectedly went Colombo with her friend Deepthi and her uncle Piyal Kumaratunga to get an opportunity to be involved in the film Karadiya Kuralla. However, she was finally selected for the film and made her maiden cinematic experience came through film Karadiya Walalla, directed by Cyril Wickramage. But the film Ranmalige Wasanawa screened before the Karadiya Walalla.
Since then, her notable acting came through the role of "Nanda" in Bertram Nihal's blockbuster Gamperaliya teledrama, Tissa Abeysekera's Thunkal Sihinaya and Maya. Later she made motherly roles in many popular tele serials and films such as: Sara, Paba, Sandagalathenna, Chandingeth Chandiya, Golu Muhude Kunatuwak, Trishulaya, Anjalika, Panamankkada, Teacher Amma and Aliya.
She directed the film Hansa Vilapaya in 2000.

### Selected television serials

* Aaliya
* Aalawanthi
* Abarthu Atha
* Akshi
* Amaa
* Anagana
* Ananthaya
* Ann
* Anuhas Vijithaya
* Anuththara
* Aravinda saha Indu as Indu
* Ayomi as Mangalika
* Batahira Ahasa
* Bodhi
* Dangakara Tharu
* Daruwange Ammala
* Dedunnai Adare
* Dedunu Sihina
* Dedunu Yanaya
* Depath Nai
* Deveni Amma
* Divyadari
* Gamperaliya as Nanda
* Gimhana Tharanaya
* Guwan Palama
* Haara Kotiya
* Heeye Manaya
* Himi Nethi Hadakata
* Hirusanda Maima
* Irudeniyaya
* Isuru Sangramaya
* Jayathuru Sankaya
* Kalu Sewanella
* Koombiyo
* Kulawanthayo
* Lasa Rala
* Mandaram Kathawa
* Mila
* Millewa Walawwa
* Minigandela
* Nandunana Neyo
* Nethu Addara
* Oba Mageya
* Paara
* Paata Kurullo
* Panamankada
* Poddi
* Pembara Maw Sanda
* Ran Bedi Minissu
* Ran Kira Soya
* Ran Samanalayo
* Ran Sevanali
* Salmal Landa
* Samanalayano
* Samanala Sihinaya
* Samanala Yaya
* Sanda Diya Mankada
* Sandagalathenna as Dingiri Menika
* Sandagiri Pawwa
* Sanda Hiru Tharu
* Sapirivara
* Sara
* Saranganaa
* Saveena
* Senehase Nimnaya
* Sihina Samagama
* Sihina Siththaravi
* Sihina Sithuvam
* Sil
* Siri Sirimal
* Siyapayth Arama
* Snehaye Daasi
* Sudu Paraviyo as Iresha
* Sulanga
* Suwanda Obai Amme
* Teacher Amma
* Thuththiri
* Vihanga Geethaya
* Wasantha Kusalana
* Yugandaraya

### Selected stage dramas

* Dangamalla

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1984 | Ranmalige Wasanawa | |
| 1985 | Du Daruwo | |
| 1985 | Karadiya Walalla | |
| 1986 | Sinha Pataw | |
| 1986 | Asipatha Mamai | Gamanayake's wife |
| 1986 | Peralikarayo | Maureen |
| 1987 | Sathyagrahanaya | Office 'truth' secretary |
| 1988 | Chandingeth Chandiya | |
| 1989 | Randenigala Sinhaya | Rekha |
| 1990 | Veera Udara | |
| 1990 | Sambudu Mahima | |
| 1990 | Jaya Kothanada | |
| 1991 | Asai Bayai | |
| 1991 | Golu Muhude Kunatuwa | |
| 1992 | Sakkara Suththara | |
| 1992 | Sinha Raja | |
| 1992 | Salli Thibunata Madi | |
| 1992 | Rumathiyay Nithiyay | Neeta |
| 1992 | Sayanaye Sihinaya | |
| 1993 | Sagara Thilina | |
| 1993 | Trishule | |
| 1993 | Juriya Mamai | Mary |
| 1994 | Mawubime Weerayo | |
| 1994 | Shakthi | |
| 1997 | Goodbye Tokyo | |
| 2000 | Hansa Vilapaya | |
| 2003 | Irasma | Sonali |
| 2004 | Gini Kirilli | |
| 2006 | Eka Malaka Pethi | Mahela's mother |
| 2006 | Anjalika | Anjalika's mother |
| 2010 | Uththara | Shanilka's mother |
| 2010 | Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe | Rashmi's mother |
| 2010 | Sara | Sara's mother |
| 2011 | Sinhawalokanaya | Magilin, Jangu's mother |
| 2012 | Sakvithi Dadayama | |
| 2014 | Parawarthana | Kusum's mother |
| 2014 | Parapura | Chethana's mother |
| 2014 | Duwana Muwan | |
| 2015 | Ira Sewaya | Yvonne |
| 2015 | Pravegaya | Hemal's mother |
| 2016 | Maya 3D | Rekha's mother |
| 2016 | Adaraneeya Kathawak | Piyavi's mother |
| 2017 | Hima Tharaka | |
| 2018 | Punchi Andare | Andare's mother |
| 2020 | Soosthi | Soosa's mother |
| 2023 | Uthuru Sulanga | |
| 2023 | Kathuru Mithuru | Samson's wife |
| 2024 | Sihina Sameekarana | Ridmi's mother |
| TBA | Sparsha † | |
| TBA | Akarsha † | |
| TBA | Deva Matha † | |
| TBA | Sōṇā † | |
| TBA | Kalpana † | |