Rita Irene Koys (July 1, 1929 – May 11, 2009), better known as Shanthi Lekha, was a Sri Lankan Film actress. She played the role of mother in more films than any other actress in Sinhala cinema.

Personal life Lekha was born in Kalutara on July 1, 1929. She received her stage name from her first husband Shanthi Viraj. They had first met while she was attending Holy Family Convent in Kalutara.

She died in France May 11, 2009. ColomboPage Retrieved on 2009-05-12

Career She starred in composer D. T. Fernando's play Shantha Prabha (1942). She subsequently made a mark as a dancer in plays starring Dommie Jayawardena and Nona Subeda.

With Jayawardena, Lekha had her first film role in Sujatha (1953). Wearing a bathing suit, she danced along with Jayawardena to the song "Pem Rella Nagi." The role came with a payment of Rs. 500 and a contract prohibiting her from doing films for other production companies. The producer K. Gunaratnam would subsequently offer her roles in Warada Kageda, Radala Piliruwa and Dosthara.

Lekha first played a mother in Sandesaya (1960). She would play this role in over 350 films.

Lekha won Best Supporting Actress Awards at the Sarasaviya Film Festival for Gamini Fonseka's Parasathu Mal (1968) and Mudalinayaka Somaratne's Binaramali (1969). She also won Presidential Awards for Mayurige Kathawa and Ridi Nimnaya.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1953 Sujatha Prema 1954 Warada Kageda Rupa 1954 Radala Piliruwa Laviniya 1956 Dosthara Rita 1957 Jeewitha Satana 1958 Salli Malli Salli 1960 Sandesaya Executed man's wife 1963 Gamperaliya Hamine 1964 Suba Sarana Sepa Sithe 1965 Sepatha Soya Accomplice Rathna 1965 Allapu Gedara Sepalika's mother 1966 Seethala Wathura 1966 Delovak Athara Accident victim's mother 1966 Parasathu Mal Kamala's mother 1966 Oba Dutu Da 1966 Senasili Suwaya Wimal's mother 1967 Ran Salu Sarojini's mother 1967 Saru Bima 1967 Vasanthi 1967 Ipadune Ai 1967 Rena Giraw Dissa's mother 1967 Sura Chauraya 1968 Pini Bindu 1968 Dehadaka Duka Gamini's mother 1968 Ataweni Pudumaya 1969 Narilatha Jean 1969 Kawuda Hari Rita's mother 1969 Binaramalee Kiri Amma 1969 Uthum Sthriya 1970 Athma Pooja 1970 Thevetha 1970 Penawa Neda 1970 Akkara Paha Sena's mother 1970 Tun Man Handiya Sirisena's mother 1971 Poojithayo Mrs. Batuwantalawa 1971 Devena Pipasa 1971 Seeye Nottuwa 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1971 Sahanaya 1972 Nidhanaya Irene's mother 1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Alice 1972 Hithaka Pipunu Mal 1973 Aparadaya Saha Danduwama 1973 Thushara Sampath's mother 1973 Hondama Welawa 1973 Hondata Hondai Violet 1974 Ahas Gauwa Vijay's mother 1974 Hadawath Naththo 1974 Onna Babo Billo Enawa 1974 Senakeliya 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Kanthi 1974 Lasanda Samadara 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Jothi's mother 1975 Obai Mamai Suminda's mother 1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Sheela's mother 1975 Amaraneeya Adare 1975 Lassana Kella 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Sikuruliya Namali's mother 1975 Lassana Dawasak Priyanthi's mother 1975 Sangeetha Sangeetha's mother 1976 Nayana 1976 Kawuda Raja Manu's mother 1976 Ganga 1976 Madol Duwa Annie Perera 1976 Walmathwuwo Cyril's mother 1976 Kolamba Sanniya Andare's sister 1976 Asha 1976 Hariyata Hari Agnes 1976 Onna Mame Kella Penapi 1976 Saradielge Putha Upasaka Amma 1976 Adarei Man Adarei 1976 Ran Thilaka 1977 Neela 1977 Sakunthala 1977 Sudu Paraviyo Kumari's mother 1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Sumali's mother 1977 Pembara Madhu 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Aginda 1977 Chin Chin Nona 1977 Siripala Saha Ranmenika 1977 Rahas Kumanthranaya 1977 Chandi Putha Shanthi 1977 Yakdaya Somey's mother 1977 Eya Dan Loku Minihek Susila's mother 1977 Aege Adara Kathawa Ruvini's mother 1978 Vishmaya Janaka's mother 1978 Hitha Mithura Celestina 1978 Sithaka Suwanda Rita Samson 1978 Mage Ran Putha 1978 Tikira Daisy Samarasekara 1978 Sally 1978 Sasara 1978 Ahasin Polawata 1979 Sarungale Susheela's mother 1979 Amal Biso 1979 Ran Kurullo Rajesh's mother 1979 Sawudan Jema 1979 Visihathara Peya Sumana's mother 1980 Uthumaneni Mother 1980 Ektam Ge Rosalin 1980 Doctor Susantha 1980 Parithyagaya Seelawathie 1980 Sasaraka Pethum Jagath's mother 1980 Ganga Addara Mrs. Bunna 1980 Raja Dawasak 1980 Sankhapali Sanka's mother 1980 Api Dedena 1980 Miyurige Kathawa 1981 Thavalama Angatakka 1981 Ranga Vajira's mother 1981 Sayuru Thera Kathrina 1981 Vajira Nima's mother 1981 Sagarayak Meda Nurse Seneviratne 1981 Bandura Mal 1982 Re Manamali Landlord 1982 Sakvithi Suwaya Ado 'Akka' 1982 Sudu Ayya Ananda's aunt 1982 Ridee Nimnaya Millie 'Nona' 1982 Pradeepa 1982 Sithara 1982 Thakkita Tharikita 1982 Chathu Madhura Somawathie 1983 Yali Pipunu Malak 1983 Siwu Ranga Sena 1983 Chutte Kadajumma 1983 Athin Athata Nelum's mother 1983 Thunhiri Mal 1983 Pasamithuro Gemunu's mother 1984 Mala Giravi Party well-wisher 1984 Kokila W. J. Nona 1984 Sasara Chethana 1984 Rana Derana 1984 Hithawathiya Mrs. Weerasinghe 1985 Puthuni Mata Samawenna 1985 Du Daruwo 1986 Yali Hamuwennai Prasanna's mother 1986 Devduwa 1986 Pooja 1987 Yugayen Yugayata 1987 Kele Kella Roshini's mother 1988 Ko Hathuro 1990 Jaya Kothanda 1991 Paaradisaya 1991 Salambak Handai 1998 Aeya Obata Barai Kumari's mother 1999 Surangana Yahana

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