Chandika Nanayakkara, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Nanayakkara won the award for the most popular actor in Sumathi Awards in two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010. He is mostly working in television serials.
Personal life
His father was the deputy principal as well as disciplinary teacher of his school and mother was a housewife. He has two sisters and a brother. He completed A/L education from Gankanda National College, Pelmadulla. At school, he placed third in an all-island Creative Writing competition.
Acting career
At school stage, he became a regular visitor to watch weekly stage dramas held at school. He continued to attend drama seminars organized by renowned artists like Kaushalya Fernando and Mahendra Perera. In 2003, he won the ‘Tharumansala’ competition organised by Sirasa TV. His beginning into the acting was accidental. While enrolled into Open University of Sri Lanka he met a friend working on a film set. He asked from Nanayakkara to do a small part in his movie Mother Theresa. In 2006, he produced a tele series Suba Sihina with one of his friends. Then his next tele production came through Haratha Hera. He involved for the first Russian television series filmed in Sri Lanka. On 11 November 2008, he took part in Tharu-Rayak show held in Dubai. He is the brand ambassador for Lak Salu Sala. After 17 years, he graduated with a degree in Mass Communication which he started in 1994 from Open University of Sri Lanka.
Selected television serials
Adaraya Gindarak
Ama
Bath Amma
Bawa Sarana
Bhawa Siddhantha
Click
Daangale
Daskon
Dedunu
Doni
Doowaru
Hansi
Haratha Hera
Hima Kandulu
Isuru Sangramaya
Ithin Eeta Passe
Jeewithaya Thawa Durai
Kumee
Kurulu Pihatu
Labendiye
Medagedara
Me Mamai
Minipura Hatana
Mini Kirana
Mosam Sulan
Muthu
Nethu
Palingu Piyapath
Premathi Jayathi Soko
Ran Sevaneli
Sanda Hiru Tharu
Sara
Sarisara Lihini
Sihinyaki Jeewithe
Siththaravi
Sneha
Suba Sihina Ahawarai
Sudu Anguru
Surangana Duwa
Susumaka Ima
Thodu
Thune Kelesiya
Uthpala
Veronika
Vesak Sanda Ra
Visula Ahasa Yata
Waluka
Warna
Wasuli Kanda
Filmography
His maiden cinematic experience came through a supportive role in 2008 filmHathara Denama Soorayo, which was a remake of the 1971 film by the same name directed by Neil Rupasinghe. Since then, he has acted in about 7 films, mostly in supportive characters.