UNFORGETTABLES
SHANTHI LEKHA
The 12th death anniversary of veteran film actress Shanthi Lekha falls tomorrow, May 11. Shanthi Lekha was born Irene Rita on July 1 in 1929. The Kalutara Holy Family Convent old girl was then known for her prowess as a Kathakali dancer. She made her debut in D. T. Fernando’s ‘Shantha Prabha’ stage drama in 1942 before making her film debut (Sujatha) in 1953. Later she acted in several popular movies like Warada Kageda, Radala Piliruwa, Dosthara, Jeewitha Satana, Sandeshaya, Gamperaliya, Allapu Gedara, Seethala Wathura, Delowak Athara, Parasathumal, Ransalu, Sura Chowraya, Akkara Paha, Athma Pooja, Thung Mang Handiya, Nidhanaya, Edath Suraya Adath Suraya, Thushara, Hondama Welawa, Hondata Hondai, Ahas Gawwa, Lasanda Kawda Raja, Pembara Madhu, Yakadaya, Janaka Saha Manju, Sagarayak Meda, Uthumaneni, Palama Yata and several other movies. She acted in several stage plays and tele dramas like Dimuthu Muthu and Rekha. She has also won the Sarasaviya, Presidential and Rana Thisara Awards during her illustrious career.
C. D. FONSEKA
The 35th death anniversary of well-known singer C D Fonseka falls tomorrow, May 11. Popular radio artiste and film playback singer died at the age of 54. He was educated at St. Sebastians College, Moratuwa. C D was popular among SLBC’S music enthusiasts. He started life as an employee at the old Times of Ceylon of Bristol Street, Fort where he served for more than 25 years, and at the time of his death he was working as a Manager attached to the Building Materials Corporation.
He was a popular singer for nearly 30 years. He was known for singing his own compositions for most of his songs. C D’s most popular songs included “Kawata Kamata Obei Magei Nama Liya”, “Oyata Rathne Mang Adarei”, “Malsara”, “Udarata Manike”, “Kandukare”and “Dasepura”. “Badapissi”, “Thaththe sudu duwe” and “Saman vale” were duets sung with his daughter Shirmila.
He was the son of well known singer and dramatist C A Fonseka. He is greatly missed by his loving wife Sheila, and children Sheroma, Dilantha (USA), Shiran (UK), Dilruksha (USA) and Shirmila. He passed away on May 11, 1986.
PREMARANJITH TILAKARATNE
The 4th death anniversary of veteran playwright, author and translator Premaranjith Tilakaratne falls on May 11. The award-winning dramatist and senior administrative service officer who held top posts at the National Film Corporation and the Tower Hall Foundation, produced and scripted plays like Waguru Bima, Wahalak Nethi Geyak, Thoththa Baba, Ammai Appai, Konthare, Munu Sayaki Rookadayaki, Julee, Sri Wickrema, Serada Seetha, Devi, Hora Police and others.