UNFORGETTABLES
HEMA NALIN KARUNARATNE
The second death anniversary of veteran television personality Hema Nalin Karunaratne falls on June 5. Hema Nalin who had been at the helm of several popular TV channels passed away suddenly at the age of 56. Wadduwa-born Hema Nalin, a father of two, was an old boy of Royal College, Colombo where he nurtured his passion for media especially television. He joined the Rupavahini in the early eighties and soon became a household name with hit programmes like ‘9.05’.
CHITRA WAKISHTA
The first death anniversary of veteran actress Chitra Wakishta fell yesterday, May 31. Chitra Dhanawalawithana who later married the late Lloyd Wakishta, opened her career as a film actress in Sirisena Wimalaweera’s ‘Podi Putha’ and later acted in several movies like Rena Giraw, Seethala Wathura, Parasathumal, Golu Hadawatha, Baduth Ekka Horu, Mee Messo, Suhada Pathuma, Sinawai Inawai, Ahas Gawwa, Vishmaya, Gehenu Lamai, Para Dige, Thani Tharuwa, Yuganthaya, Jaya Apatai, Koti Waligaya, Obatai Priye Adare, Durga, Mami Raja, Palama Yata, Saharawe Sihinaya, Sanda Mandala, Sujatha, Wasana Wewa, Ayoma and several others.
J. H. JAYAWARDANA
The 5th death anniversary of veteran actor J. H. Jayawardana who excelled in cinema, stage, radio and television, falls on June 3. Jinadasa Harischandra Jayawardana who was born in Kaduwela, Kothelawala in 1921 studied at Kurunegela Maliyadewa Vidyalaya and Ananda College, Colombo. He joined Radio Ceylon taking part in monthly programmes, but later established his place there writing radio plays. Having made his film debut in ‘Eda Re’ playing a minor role, JH later rose to be one of the finest character actors on the large screen too.
RANJITH MATHANGAWEERA
The 8th death anniversary of award-winning make up artist Ranjith Mathangaweera who had worked in more than 150 films and a large number of tele dramas including Sri Lanka’s first tele serial ‘Dimuthu Muthu’, falls on June 5 Tangalle-born Ranjith who studied at Ambalangoda Theriputta Maha Vidyalaya and Kotte Ananda Sasthralaya, was 58 at the time of his death.