Rathna Sumanapala

Rathna Sumanapal is one the best Sinhala actress and dramatists, predominantly working in Sri Lankan cinema, television, and stage drama. She was born on 10 June 1940 in Palmadulla, Sri Lanka, and her real name is Podirathna Manike Abeygunasekara. Rathna has four siblings, two brothers and a sister. She completed her schooling at Ratnapura Baranduwa Junior School and later went to Pelmadulla Central College for further studies. Rathna Sumanapala married Raja Sumanapala, a famous Sri Lankan cinema, television, and stage drama artist. They had four children, two daughters, Waruni and Manjula, and two sons, Prabash and Mahesh.

Her husband died in 2003. Rathana Sumanapala played her first role in a stage drama, Andare, while in 3rd standard. In her school life, Rathna played a part in several stage dramas and practised dancing. She began her career as a stage artist. In her college, Rathna joined Pelmadulla Art Forum's music department. She met her husband in the same college after he offered Rathna a role in a stage drama, Pin Bath, in 1962. The play became a superhit, and Rathna got her entrance into the field of acting. During her whole college life, Rathna Sumanapala played a part in each stage drama organized by Pelmadulla Art Forum.

Idikatta, Rudiraya Saha Gangawa, Vap Magula, Elada, Kundalakeshi, Seelawathi and Seema Bandhana are some of the superhit stage dramas in which Rathna played notable roles. After quitting the stage drama in the 1980s, Rathna returned in 2016 with another superhit play, Maha Muhudath Goda Galai. Rathna Sumanapala debuted in the Sinhala film industry with a blockbuster hit film Pembara Madhu, directed by Senarath Yapa, in 1977. She played a minor role in her first film opposite Vijaya Kumaratunga Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , a famous Sri Lankan actor. In 1979, Rathna debuted in the television industry with the first Tv series in Sri Lanka, Dimuthu Muthu. In her acting career of four decades, Rathna Sumanapala worked in more than 350 television series.

Some of the notable Tv series by Rathna are Ahasin Watunu Geheniyak, Laa Hiru Dahasak, Sandagala Thenna, Tharuka, Vinoda Ranga, and many more. Later, she appeared in many films in dramatic supportive roles like Adhishtana, Binari Saha Sudu Banda, Mangala Thegga and Gurugedara. She played the role of Mother at a young age in several movies and is known for her roles in comedy films like Hai Hui Babi Achchi, Parliament Jokes, Gindari and Suhada Koka. One of the most notable films of Rathna is an action-drama, Sakvithi Raja, directed by Sunil Soma Peiris. The film starred Jeevan Kumarathunga, Sabeetha Perera, and Ranjan Ramanayake Bio coming soon... >> Read More... and has released on 27 March 1992.

Induta Mal Mitak, Binari Saha Sudu Banda, Rasa Rahasak, Golu Muhude Kunatuwa, Guru Gedara, Yudha Gini Meda, and Putha Mage Suraya are some of the blockbuster hits by Rathna Sumanapala. Under the guidance of Agnes Sirisena, Rathna Sumanapala debuted in the radio plays and voiced for popular radio shows like Handiye Gedara and Muwan Palessa. Rathna became a renowned dubbing artist in radio and television shows like Oshin, Koobichchi, Muwan Palessa, Handiye Gedara, Kusumalatha and Kanamediri Rathriya.

She also wrote an award-winning short novel story in 2011, and in 2012, she got third place in Sahithya Visharadha Competition. The most prominent role by Rathna is Kopi Kade Kopi Kade is a Sri Lankan serial in the Sinhala la >> Read More... Hamine for the Tv series Kopi Kade. It is a comedy-drama series directed by Janaka Mahalpath Bio coming soon... >> Read More... and Sumith Jayantha Dias. The show has been streaming from 1 April 1987 till date, starring KA Piyakaru, Rodney Fraser, KD Siripala, and others.