Anula Karunathilaka


Anula Karunathilaka is a Sri Lankan film actress and theatrical performer. Her work is noted during the 70s film and cinema history in Sri Lanka.

Debut

Karunathilaka's entry into the industry in the early 1960s came about as a result of a chance meeting with senior film industry figures at a beauty contest organized by the Dawasa newspaper in 1962. Having applied as a contestant at her sister's insistence, her photo was published in the newspaper among the other candidates' for the public to vote on. Filmmakers Sumitra Peries and Tissa Abeysekera were among the audience of the final event and, using the photo published in the newspaper, identified Karunathilaka during the day's proceedings. A week later, Sugathapala de Silva and G. W. Surendra visited the Karunathilakas' home with a message from Lester James Peries, Peries, and Abeysekera, inviting her to audition for the role of Nanda in Lester James' upcoming Gamperaliya. Despite her interest, Lester decided her to be too young for the part, and instead gave her the role of Liza, auditioning for the part in a scene alongside Gamini Fonseka. She thus made her on-screen debut at 16.
Karunathilika played a role in the local film industry's efforts to produce truly local performances, moving away from highly Indianized productions and plots.

Acting style

Karunathilaka was an acclaimed popular and awarded actress. She is known for character acting. Her style is said to derive from her nurturing under strict culture and family restrictions in the 1940s.

Key performances

Golu Hadawatha made many notable contributions to Sinhala cinema, and became one of the most popular actresses in the late 1960s. Her most important role was as Dhammi in Golu Hadawatha. Karunathilka was awarded with national Sarasaviya Awards in 1969 for the role. Another key role was Sugath.

Personal life

Karunathilaka was married to photographer and journalist Daya Ranaweera.

Awards

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1963GamperaliyaLaissa
1965ChandiyaSumana
1965Sonduru Yuwala
1966Seethala Wathura
1966Parasathu MalNona
1967Daru DukaSumana
1967Ran SaluSarojini 'Sara'
1967Sadol Kandulu
1967Vasanthi
1968Punchi BabaCaretaker
1968Golu HadawathaDamayanthi 'Dammi'
1969Oba Nathnam
1969NarilathaMrs. Weerasooriya
1969Mee Masso
1969Paara Walalu
1969Mokada UneLucy
1969Bakmaha DeegePabilina
1970Penawa Neda
1972Ihatha AthmayaPriyani
1976NedeyoNirmala Gunaratne
1977YakadayaRathi
1995Demodara PalamaSumana
2004Randiya DaharaSamantha's mother
2010Tikiri SuwandaSamanmalee's mother
2017Wassanaye SandaMihiri's mother
2019RushMrs. Saparamadu

Television