Mahendra Perera

Born on August 17, 1956, in Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, Mahendra Perera was the youngest in his family. His father, Vincent Perera, was a store manager at Browns, while his mother, Soma Weerasekera, served at various government hospitals. Among his siblings are two older sisters, Priyanthi Damayanthi and Shivanthi Kalyani. He completed his education at Highland College, Nugegoda, Maharagama Vidyakara College, and Thurstan College, Colombo.

While at Thurstan College, Mahendra connected with a friend named Kalani Perera, who later became a violinist. They both studied music under the guidance of music teacher Yogananda Wijesundera, with Mahendra gaining proficiency in the violin, water wave, tabla, and xylophone. After his school years, he joined a rock band in Mount Lavinia, where he played the guitar. Upon his return, he joined Dhamma Jagoda's theater classes, immersing himself in acting. His first stage-acting role was with Ahimi Jeevitha at the Lionel Wendt Theater.

Mahendra's entry into the cinematic world began with a role in the 1978 film Sakwithi Suwaya, directed by Gamini Fonseka Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , where he portrayed the character Bert Malli. Under the guidance of Helena Lehthimaki, he undertook a three-year course that included performances in Punthila. Noteworthy milestones in his career were influential roles in Shakespeare's plays Julius Caesar and Gimhane Reyaka Sihinayak, produced by Tony Ranasinghe Bio coming soon... >> Read More... . His cinematic journey included the blockbuster Sagarayak Meda.

Alongside his stage and television performances, Mahendra continued to captivate audiences through cinema. He was a driving force in a multitude of successful films such as Sihina Dēśayen, Asvæsuma, Bahubūthayō, Sudu Kaḷu, Arumōsam Væhi, Mille Soyā, Adḍress Nǣ, Kosthāpal Puñyasōma, 28 and Gindari. He was awarded a merit for his role in the television serial Diyaketa Pahana. In addition to his acting prowess, Perera displayed his talent as an art director in Julietge Bhumikawa and Pawuru Walalu. He was also an assistant director in the movie Koti Waligaya.