Kurukulasuriya Maureen O'Hara Perera (born 19 September, 1963 as මොරින් චාරුනී) [Sinhala]), popularly known as Maureen Charuni, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema theater and television. Highly versatile actress who dominated television drama, Charuni usually acts in young motherly roles in many dramas and films.
Personal life She was born on 19 September 1963 in the village Emibillawatta, in Wadakada, Kurunegala as the eldest of the family. Her father, who was very fond of western cinema, named the first child by the name of American actress Maureen O'Hara. She has one younger brother, Janaka and two younger sisters: Mala and Meena. The family moved to Wennappuwa because her father wanted to send the three girls to a girls' school. Then she studied in Holy Family Girls School, Wennappuwa.
She passed Advanced level with honors in Commerce stream. Meanwhile, she studied sitar under teacher Tharsi Warnakulasuriya and assistant teacher Ansus. Then she completed the exams in Sri Lanka and Visharad part one in India. After obtaining the degree, she worked as a teacher for few years and taught English language, English literature and sitar playing.
She is married to Gihan Ranjith Imbulana, who is involved in the tourism industry. The couple has one daughter.
Acting career Initially her father strongly opposed her decision to become an actress. She unexpectedly went Colombo with her friend Deepthi and her uncle Piyal Kumaratunga to get an opportunity to be involved in the film Karadiya Kuralla. However, she was finally selected for the film and made her maiden cinematic experience came through film Karadiya Walalla, directed by Cyril Wickramage. But the film Ranmalige Wasanawa screened before the Karadiya Walalla.
Since then, her notable acting came through the role of "Nanda" in Bertram Nihal's blockbuster Gamperaliya teledrama, Tissa Abeysekera's Thunkal Sihinaya and Maya. Later she made motherly roles in many popular tele serials and films such as: Sara, Paba, Sandagalathenna, Chandingeth Chandiya, Golu Muhude Kunatuwak, Trishulaya, Anjalika, Panamankkada, Teacher Amma and Aliya.
She directed the film Hansa Vilapaya in 2000.
Selected television serials
Aaliya Aalawanthi Abarthu Atha Akshi Amaa Anagana Ananthaya Ann Anuhas Vijithaya Anuththara Aravinda saha Indu as Indu Ayomi as Mangalika Batahira Ahasa Bodhi Dangakara Tharu Daruwange Ammala Dedunnai Adare Dedunu Sihina Dedunu Yanaya Depath Nai Deveni Amma Divyadari Gamperaliya as Nanda Gimhana Tharanaya Guwan Palama Haara Kotiya Heeye Manaya Himi Nethi Hadakata Hirusanda Maima Irudeniyaya Isuru Sangramaya Jayathuru Sankaya Kalu Sewanella Koombiyo Kulawanthayo Lasa Rala Mandaram Kathawa Mila Millewa Walawwa Minigandela Nandunana Neyo Nethu Addara Oba Mageya Paara Paata Kurullo Panamankada Poddi Pembara Maw Sanda Ran Bedi Minissu Ran Kira Soya Ran Samanalayo Ran Sevanali Salmal Landa Samanalayano Samanala Sihinaya Samanala Yaya Sanda Diya Mankada Sandagalathenna as Dingiri Menika Sandagiri Pawwa Sanda Hiru Tharu Sapirivara Sara Saranganaa Saveena Senehase Nimnaya Sihina Samagama Sihina Siththaravi Sihina Sithuvam Sil Siri Sirimal Siyapayth Arama Snehaye Daasi Sudu Paraviyo as Iresha Sulanga Suwanda Obai Amme Teacher Amma Thuththiri Vihanga Geethaya Wasantha Kusalana Yugandaraya
Selected stage dramas Dangamalla
Filmography
Year Film Role Ref. 1984 Ranmalige Wasanawa 1985 Du Daruwo 1985 Karadiya Walalla 1986 Sinha Pataw 1986 Asipatha Mamai Gamanayake's wife 1986 Peralikarayo Maureen 1987 Sathyagrahanaya Office 'truth' secretary 1988 Chandingeth Chandiya 1989 Randenigala Sinhaya Rekha 1990 Veera Udara 1990 Sambudu Mahima 1990 Jaya Kothanada 1991 Asai Bayai 1991 Golu Muhude Kunatuwa 1992 Sakkara Suththara 1992 Sinha Raja 1992 Salli Thibunata Madi 1992 Rumathiyay Nithiyay Neeta 1992 Sayanaye Sihinaya 1993 Sagara Thilina 1993 Trishule 1993 Juriya Mamai Mary 1994 Mawubime Weerayo 1994 Shakthi 1997 Goodbye Tokyo 2000 Hansa Vilapaya 2003 Irasma Sonali 2004 Gini Kirilli 2006 Eka Malaka Pethi Mahela's mother 2006 Anjalika Anjalika's mother 2010 Uththara Shanilka's mother 2010 Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe Rashmi's mother 2010 Sara Sara's mother 2011 Sinhawalokanaya Magilin, Jangu's mother 2012 Sakvithi Dadayama 2014 Parawarthana Kusum's mother 2014 Parapura Chethana's mother 2014 Duwana Muwan 2015 Ira Sewaya Yvonne 2015 Pravegaya Hemal's mother 2016 Maya 3D Rekha's mother 2016 Adaraneeya Kathawak Piyavi's mother 2017 Hima Tharaka 2018 Punchi Andare Andare's mother 2020 Soosthi Soosa's mother 2023 Uthuru Sulanga 2023 Kathuru Mithuru Samson's wife 2024 Sihina Sameekarana Ridmi's mother Awantha's mother
References
External links Marin Charuni chat පුණ්ය කටයුත්තට පෝන් නම්බර්.... අපේ ගෙදර නෑදෑයාෙ පිරෙනවා මටත් දුවක් ඕනෑ වුණා... මේ හැරවුමක අැරඹුමක්