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CHANDIMA FROM REMOTE POONEWA TO FAME AS AWARD WINNING ACCLAIMED SOUGHT AFTER ACTRESS -by Sunil Thenabadu
Chandima Karunadasa was born as a die-hard country folk in an enormously rural village in an ecological organic environment at which then life was very easy as she had grew up having a pleasant fauna with lakes, fruits, paddy fields in the early decade of 1990 It was a very remote far off yet beautiful village Poonewa in the North Central province, in the Anuradhapura District two kilometres from Medawachchiya which too was remote then unlike the hassle and bustle life in Colombo. Life in Poonewa was easy not expensive as in town cities as most food needs like rice, from the two seasons Yala and Maha vegetables, jak breadfruit, from Chena cultivations cereals like kaupi,Kurakkan, Mun,BadaIrungu etc were found in abundance in the village at no cost. Their dwelling was devoid of electricity, Chandima had studied under the light of a kerosine lamp which has been preserved by her father saying proudly it is under which his daughter studied. All neighbours in the village were very friendly known to each other meticulously . Chandima’s father too had owned a paddy field had focussed attention to it other than to his government employment. As the youngest sibling to humble parents’ father focused on cultivation too ,mother a characteristic housewife having three elder sisters very much elder to her. As the youngest sibling she has had the freedom to behave as a boy predominantly as she was very young linked to her elder sister siblings .
She recollects walking to her village school and taking a bus with her friends which though was a bit tedious enjoyed the journey viewing the surrounding pleasant flora and fauna with friends swimming the lengths and breadths in lakes. While returning from school Chandima had enjoyed with friends plucking fruits, loitering and playing in the village before returning home only at dusk which was common occurrence for all village juveniles. She reminisces her white uniform invariably turns brown when she returned home at twilight. Her initial education was at her village school Poonewa Maha Vidyalaya later for higher studies for ordinary and advanced level had been educated at Maithripala Senanayake National school in Medawachchiya She was not interested on having love affairs while in school focussed on studies .Chandima had followed the subject of drama and theatre at school for her advanced level with no intention of becoming an actress but was adamant to gain admission to a university. The parental duo had taken a lot of effort to take her for tuition classes regularly which she still reminisces Chandima has had immense dreams to enter a university to perform higher education From this school she was fortunate to gain admission the Kelani University in the prime attempt in year 2009 .Chandima had been almost lost when she initially came to the Kelani University hostel. The environment was very foreign to her and so were the people who though smiled she realised not in similar to her village folks which took time for her to be acquainted, She felt the smiles of the people in Colombo were fake not like of the villages, she recollects she had shed tears any times during the time she got accustomed to Colombo living while finding means and ways to learn peoples hearts..
In the beginning naturally she was’ home sick’ wanted to visit Poonewa dwelling often to see his mother and father which she adored had initially even skipped lectures on Fridays and Mondays to visit her dwelling in Poonewa. This journey to and back was very tedious and expensive. But subsequently she made up her mind to refrain from that practice as her university studies had to take pride of place Some batchmates had added for her to go to India is quicker than traveling to and from Poonewa. Her parents’, father in particular had been very inquisitive about Chandima calling her a few times daily to find how she was keeping more particularly when she returned home late after shooting Even her mother had been used to call her daily which is the reason Chandima felt isolated when she first came to Kelani University. She was equally attached to her mother too. Once Chandima had quipped at a media dialogue that she is in the tradition of informing her father about her movements had conveyed to him not to call her when at shooting, that she would call him the next morning. That was the characteristic and distinctive love of any father towards a daughter. Chandima proudly confessed that she maintained her village culture with her character in the same vein while in the Kelani University for which is honoured of herself..
Chandima is a renowned award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television as well as a professional actress in the stage drama field. Chandima began her career since she was studying art and drama in the university itself having participated in stage dramas produced by the university coinciding with the theories in dramas in her course. Mostly during her fourth year.. She initially triumphed in her Bachelor degree in drama and theatre thereafter triumphed in Masters in drama and theatre in the same university incidentally with a First Class Degree. which made her eligible to be a visiting temporary lecturer in the same Kelani University Chandima during her entire four-year tenure in the Kelani University had only portrayed roles in the stage dramas produced by the university authorities. She has had no time to devote for teledrama portrayals which she had declined to accept.
Chandima was nominated as the best supporting actress in state drama festival in year 2017. She was subsequently awarded as most artistic and talented actress in short film sector in national youth Services council –(NYSC ) in year 2018. She was adjudicated for the award for most outstanding presentation for short films in “Waves Interrupted” in the agenda 14 film festival held by ‘Goethe Institute’ which gave her more impetus to linger subsequently on stage , small screen also on the silver screen when she was afforded the time after completing her higher education in the university. After her dominance on stage in the Kelani University Chandima was invited for many commercials which she made a name for herself possessing photogenic expressions with gorgeous features
In the university Chandima’s card was ‘Pinni” known to all Uninversity colleagues,Chandima was very unselfish while in her tenure at the University was known to all as one undergraduate who used to share notes with all a quality many do not possess. In this context ‘Pinni’ was well renowned. Her husband Tharindu Ganganath Dissanayake a native of Kurunegala had followed the same course as Chandima at the Kelani University incidentally had been a batchmate. During the second year while in the same batch , the duo had understood each other well who had been good friends, later perhaps . It was Tharindu who had been Chandima’s strength taking care of her safety when on locations in campus stage plays she recalls..Tharindu had been overwhelmed with Chandima’s looks ,talent, potentials and qualities had apparently fallen in love to which she too obviously unhesitatingly had given the greenlight. The duo had tied the nuptial knot after seven years of friendship today it is seven years together having a toddler daughter. It was revealed by Chandima in a television confrontation that her spouse Tharindu understands her role of an actress well , is her best critic as he closely follows all her comments to convey good and immoral observations of public. There had been instances when Tharindu had conveyed to Chandima that she should have portrayed a particular role in a much healthier custom. As Chandima is invariably away on shooting it is Tharindu who does the domestic slice shouldering cooking at the dwelling apart from baby sitting for which Chandima feels guilty but privileged too. However when she is not on location she makes it a strong attempt to justify her role. Chandima in media dialogues has conveyed that all credit for her position as an artiste today should befall Tharindu for his colossal sacrifices. Chandima is very fortunate that her spouse Tharindu had known her acting from the university tenure time hence he has a very good thoughtfulness about her love for acting, innate talent though not hereditary and her mannerism in the field. Chandima had confessed that the sacrifices made by Tharindu has been gigantic and unbelievable. Chandima reminisced her lecturer teacher in drama and theatre in university as Priyankara Ratnayake.
Her first portrayal in the small screen was the role of ‘Madu’ in the teledrama ‘Bhawaharana’ in year 2016 of Janaka Chaminda Attanayake introduced by her schoolmate Poojana Dandeniya ,telecast in the ITN channel alongside with stalwarts like Mihira Siritilleke and Rithu Akarsha with which she had impressed the producer, director and vivid audiences. This was the beginning of an illustrious acting for Chandima when soon she was invited to portray many roles . Chandima when offered characters she choose them independently not endeavour to accept many at a given time as she is particular to deliver her character to her maximum potential.After the teledrama Bhawaharana she portrayed to role of neighbour girl in Nethu Addara in the same year 2016 telecast also in ITN again to the direction of Janaka Chaminda Attanayake.In year 2017 Chandima portrayed the role of ‘Teacher’ in the teledrama ‘Bonchi Gedera Indrajaala’ also telecast in ITN directed by Pradeep Dharmadasa..Then year 2018 the role of ‘Lawanthiya’ was depicted in the teledrama ‘Awasan Husma Thek’ directed by Rasika Suraweeraaarachchi telecast again in the ITN channel.
After a short lapse Chandima portrayed a role of ‘Sarojini’ in the popular teledrama ‘Agni Piyapath’ directed by Jayaprakash Shivagurunathan telecast in the channel of Swarnavahini. In year 2020 a very sought after hilarious teledrama . Most portrayals Chandima confessors she had been offered are of persons much elder to her but with her experience in stage dramas during the university tenure she was able to adopt to them sans any brawl or struggle. In this teledrama there were many reputed artistes like Shalini Tharaka and Saranga Dissasekera among others which was a very popular, a sought after popular teledrama with huge viewer attraction.
In the same year 2020 her next teledrama ‘Sulanga Maha Meraka’ was telecast depicting a portrayal as a ‘Rural Girl’ telecast in Jathika Rupavahini directed by Sudath Devapriya.In the year 2021 the much talked about popular teledrama Paara ‘Dige’ was telecast also in the channel of Swarnavahini directed by Jayaprakash Shivagurunathan the role was ‘Darling Akka’ the role boosted the popularity of Chandima to unprecedented lofty altitudes In also in year 2021 the role of ‘Lamaa Haminie’ was portrayed in the teledrama “Mahapolowa’ directed by Sumith Ratnayake.Thereafter the role of ‘Darling Akka’ in the teledrama ‘Para Dige’in year 2021 was once more challenging, before accepting Chandima had given much taught thinking seriously whether she could do reasonableness, but she did come off with flying colours with many accolades. Chandima once again followed the familiar director ‘Shivagurunathan’ guidance who had spoken about the tone of speech of the fisher folk in Angulana area which Chandima was intelligent enough to imitate deviating from her usual tone which was her ‘immense skill’ trained from her drama and theatre study in the Kelani university. Initially Chandima had admitted that she had to get familiarised to the tone of the fisherfolks and in general the tone of Angulana folks. Some people in the Angulana area had interrogated from Chandima whether she is really a native of Angulana After this portrayal Thereafter the role of ‘Darling Akka’ in the teledrama ‘Para Dige’ was once more challenging, before accepting Chandima had given much taught thinking seriously whether she could do reasonableness, but she did come off with flying colours with many accolades. Chandima once again followed the familiar director ‘Shivagurunathan’ guidance had talked about the tone of speech of the fisher folk in Angulana area which Chandima was intelligent enough to imitate deviating from her usual tone which was her ‘immense skill’ trained from her drama and theatre study in the Kelani university. Initially Chandima had admitted that she had to get familiarised to the tone of the fisherfolks and in general the tone of Angulana folks. Some people in the Angulana area had interrogated from Chandima whether she is really a native of Angulana. After this portrayal Chandima has admitted that her popularity was propelled and boosted to taller elevations. Chandima reminisces that this recognition and acknowledgement is perhaps the tallest in her acting career to date The role of ‘Darling Akka’ is one not easy to portrait very challenging to portray as it was on a foreign land close to the sea beach under yhe soarching hot sun for which too takes time to get accustomed. ‘Darlin Akka’ had to act in unison with a more accomplished senior actor Sama Koralage as “Sikura Aiya’.The duo had portrayed roles together earlier in ‘Avasan Husma’ a fourteen episode consisted teledrama, hence the chemistry between the duo was well accredited .It was added that the manner the two portrayed the respective roles in front of the camera was unbelievable as the it was performed to precision and flawlessly to the expectation of the director Shivagurunathan.It was revealed by critics that the duo had not kept any space for another two to substitute for the roles portrayed which the critics confidently added
After triumphing in ‘Paara Dige ‘ her next portrayal was not a challenge in her role ‘Paara Wasa Etha’ in year 2022 the role of ‘Sandamini’ telecast in the channel of Swarnavahini also directed by the familiar Jayaprakash Shivagurunathan.In year 2023 the teledrama ‘Circuskarayo’.at which Chandima portrayed the role of “Kumari’ also directed by Shivagurunathan. Telecast in the Swarnavahini channel.In year 2024 Chandima portrayed the role of ‘Kanthi’ in the teledrama ‘Viyali’ directed by Chandana Irugalbandara telecast in the National Channel Jathika Rupavahini.
From the above list it is sufficient proof that Chandima do not accept all portrayals given to her.She only accepts after careful thought in order to offer her best for the task given within her accepted time frame.
Chandima has acted in many stage dramas mostly during her university tenure had also won awards too.She is now a sought after artiste for films too having completed roles in films already screened and some are still pending.In the film ‘Newspaper’ screened in year 2020 directed jointly by Kumara Thirimadura and Sarath Kothalawala she portrayed the role of ‘Prostitute’.Some films which are to be released are:
‘Dari’ directed by Bertram Nihal character portrayed is ‘Ariyawathi’.
‘Mega Warsha’ directed by Udayakantha Warnasooriya name of the character portrayed ‘Mother’.
The stage dramas Chandima had acted in are as follows:
In year 2016 ‘Niyangala Premaya’ Character ‘Young Girl’ directed jointly by Sudesha Lakmali and Dinesh John..
In year 2017 ‘Mahasupina’ Character ‘Princess’ directed by Ariyaratna Athugala
in year 2018 ‘Premawantha Kunarayo’ directed by Priyankara Rathnayake. Character name ‘Helena’.
Chandima has been nominated in many teledramas and stage plays and been awarded in numerous instances.In year 2017 Nominated for the Best Supporting actress award at the National Stage Drama Festival for the stage play ‘Silgath Billo’.
For short film ‘Waves Interrupted by Dimon John in year 2018 Winner as Best Performance in a lead role Event Agenda 14 ,Goethe Institute Sri Lanka
Best Actress 7th National Youth Short Film in Festival 2018 NYSC .
Chandima was nominated in year 2020 for the best upcoming actress for her role as ‘Awasan Husma Thek’ for portraying the role ‘Lawanthiya’
Awarded the best Supporting Actress Award in year 2024 Raigam Telees for role of Kanthi in teledrama Viyali .Chandima was also nominated for this award at the Sumathi Awards 2025.Won the State Television award for the same role in year 2025
In August year 2023 Chandima’s mother passed away after a brief illness unexpectedly which shocked her to unbelievable straits .She at a television dialogue conveyed this shock she will not be able to take out of her system until her death as she was so attached to her. Chandima had thought she too died after hearing her shocking unexpected demise, the subject she hates to recollect to her mind.At that time she was in her initial stage of pregnancy. Her first child a daughter was born subsequently a few months later, who is now a toddler about three years old. .
In every role Chandima inhabits, she leaves behind a trace of truth and memory that lingers long after the curtain falls. Her dedication, versatility, and emotional depth have not only defined her career but have also enriched the art of performance itself. As audiences, we are fortunate to witness a talent that will continue to inspire for many years to come.If her past performances are any indication, the future holds even greater triumphs. With each project, she redefines what it means to be an actress—fearless, authentic, and endlessly compelling. One can only imagine the stories she has yet to tell, and the hearts she has yet to move. She is more than a performer; she is a storyteller who paints with emotion and breathes life into words. Like a rare star that burns brighter with time, her light shows no sign of dimming only of guiding us toward new worlds is definitely on course to be a legendary actress. All her fans and followers would wish her success to climb to the top of the ladder to stardom with ease.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane e mail sthenabadu@hotmaol.com
