Shalani Tharaka - Introduction

Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalani Tharaka WIjayabandara the well known actress, model and dancer who would be recognized easily as shalani tharaka was born in the area of Balangoda on 15th of november 1990. Her father who is a businessmen in profession is Susantha Wijayabandara by name while her mother is Suraji Fernando a beautician.

She had her primary education at St Agnes Convent, Balangoda where she was the primary head prefect and also involved her self in extra curricular activities in the school in netball team and the winning art competition being a multi talented character. Ever since shalani was a child she started indicating features of a talented personality and of course by now she has proven it true.

After the primary education she moved to her mother’s hometown Negombo and had her higher education there onwards at Newstead Girls College which was an opportunity to brighten up her dancing skills in both western and kandian styles. Shalani doesn't stop her extra curricular activities from there, she also participated in the broadcasting unit in her school and made endless maximum opportunities out of her school life. Shalani also makes time during her leisure reading books. Also shows interest in writing, dancing, singing.

The turning point of her life or the start of her celebrity life began with the pagent Sirasa kumariya. Her first step in the industry was kept in the drama Poojasanaya by Mr.Sherly P. delankawala, and her talents take her further in the field to Isuru bawana, Hansi,Samanalee, Api Api Wage 1 & 2 teledramas which became popular among all her fans. And of course the  coming up Ganga Addara n Sanda Sanda wage also being contributed by Shalani’s roles.

Apart from teledramas she also has contributed in the TV commercials Hero Honda, Raino, Janet. Shalani going ahead in her career did not stop there; she also contributed in music videos Prihans Oya dese, mata oya D n S, Wasthuwe shafee ft Delon.

Sanda Sanda Wage

"Sanda Sanda Wage" is a story of a girl who got no one to stand by herself through thick and thin. A girl full of innocence who survived the moments of life with no intention of the unseen future.

Directed by Ravindra Wijerathne, an other story filled with sense of humor, realities of life and the unexpected calling of the destiny on human life to turn life wonderful in toto.

"sanda Sanda Wage reflects the real life moments acted on a screen in a depth penetrating in to a life of a girl whose wishes were driven by fate. "Sandu" the girl whose life was played by luck who got no control over her innocent wishes, who had no one by her self, who was always a green horn in the game of life.

Still her luck was quiet enough to give rebirth to her life which totally takes off the eyes to a entirely different scenario She is being educated by a lowyer ever since she was a child. At the age of 19 she moves to this lowyers house, from the convent

which her shelter for 19 years.

She goes though a lot of stress and strain and hard feelings in this lawyers house by the careless family members on and off. Everyone may bawl and shout, but her innocence defeated them quiet often.

The second son out of the the three children of lowyer, after sometimes falls for this girls innocence and the story turns totally to another view where many stories flow in. They fall in love with each other where at the same time the elder son who is in abroad happens to see Sandu and fall in love..!who would she marry...? What is her destiny planing for her...? How would her life treat her...?

Young actress Shalani Tharaka will portray the role of "Sandhu", while the roles of two sons will be taken up by Gayan Wickramathilaka and Givantha Arthasath.

Apart from that the supporting roles whould be portrayed though out the teledrama by Airangani Serasinghe, Palitha Silva, Susantha Chandramali, Priya Ranasinghe, Dipani Silva, Ananda Wickramage, Susil Perera, Nadeesha Alahapperuma, Lochana Imashi, Thisuri Uwanika, Harshana Chathuranga, Manjula Moragaha, Thusitha Danushka and Sanketh Wickramage.

Both the Producer and script by Tharanga Dissanayaka, while Jayantha Ranasinghe is the Cameramen,Mahesh Fernando the Art director. Amila Mirissage Is the Make up artist.Eranda Madushan is the Assistant directer and Kapila PUgala Arachchi is the Music Director.

Dance Stars Dance on Swarnawahini

The latest reality programme introduced by Swarnavahini ‘Dance Star Dance’ hunting for new dancers will be launched from November this year.

Twenty four television and silver screen will join this programme would be telecast at 9 pm onwards starting the first programme on November 27, 2010.

The artistes participating are Upeksha Swarnamalee, Kishani Alakna, Chula Padmendra Kumara Pathirana, Damitha Abeyratne, Shalani Tharaka,  Anusha Damayanthi, Suresh Gamage, Saliya Sathyajith, Thilanka Vidusha, Osidhi Hewamadduma , Roshel Plunket and many more.

Popular personalities including Channa Wijewardane, Sabeetha Perera and Upul Shantha Sannasgala will participate as panel members. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe

Ganga Addara

Sumithra Peries’ Ganga Addara with its evergreen tunes and powerful performances delivered by the charming pair, Vasanthi Chathurani and Sanath Gunatileke backed by Vijaya Kumaratunga, still remains as one of the favourite movies of all time among the local and international audiences.

The touching story which did not quite tally with Leticia Botheju’s novel with the same name will once again be projected on the screen by young director Saranga Mendis. This time Ganga Addara will once again come before the viewers with a difference. For example it will be titled as Aathmeeya Ganga Addara and will visit the mini screen as a teledrama rather than a movie on the silver screen. 

Young actress Shalini Tharaka who emerged through Sirasa Kumariyo will portray the role of Nirmala which Vasanthi took up in the movie while the talented Saranga Dissasekara will take up the role of Ranjiht which was acted by Sanath. Niroshan Wijesinghe of Muthu Kirilli fame will be Dr. Pathirana, the doctor who finally soothes Nirmala’s shattered mind. This role was effectively brought to life by legendary actor Vijaya Kumaratunge in Ganga Addara, the movie. 

Artistes connected with the yesteryear movie as well as those who hope to contribute to the upcoming creation gathered to take part in the muhurath of Aathmeeya Ganga Addara. Milina Sumathipala who was the producer of Ganga Addara the movie and its director Sumithra Peries were present to give their blessing to the team. 

Speaking to the gathering which comprised Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Land and Land Development Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga, seasoned actor Ravindra Randeniya and others, director Mendis said the project is a dream come true for him. 

"However the teledrama will not follow the film’s plot. It is a whole new creation though it would be greatly influenced by Botheju’s story and its characters. We do not hope to extend it beyond 60 episodes. I would be working with experienced actors like Randeniya, Tony Ranasinghe, Cletus Mendis and Anula Karunatilleke in this creation," he said. 

Another noteworthy fact connected with this creation is the fact that actors Randeniya and Ranasinghe will be acting together in one frame after a span of 20 years. Their first appearance together was in Duhul Malak and they appeared in the same creation together for the last time in Rae Manamali. A production designer, Janaka Mallimarachchi, will also be functioning on the sets of Aathmeeya Ganga Addara. 

Buddhadasa Vithanarachchi, Veena Jayakody, Richard Weerakoddy, Douglas Ranasinghe, W. Jayasiri and others too portray roles in the teledrama. 

Prabath Roshan is the cameraman and in charge of the lighting while Bhanura Jayamal Manage is the art director. Ebert Wijesinghe returns back to the tele scene as the make up artist and W. Ravindra is the assistant director. The second AD is Amila Madjiwala, third AD is Jihad Al Saja and the production manager is Hasantha Gunasekara. Kasun Kalhara is the music director for Aathmeeya Ganga Addara. Ajith Galapaththi, Kalum Srimal and Janaka Mallimarachchi penned the lyrics.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/10/21/art22.asp