Seetha Kumari Ehelepola (born 9 May 1940 – died 7 August 2013 as සීතා කුමාරි ඇහැලේපොළ) [Sinhala]), was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, Ehelepola had a career that spanned more than four decades. She was notable to act in many motherly roles in television serials as well as films.
Personal life Kumari was born on 9 May 1940 in Ehelepola village, Matale. She has one son, Pradeep Kumara Abeyratne, who currently lives in Italy.
She died on 7 August 2013 due to a sudden heart attack at the age of 73. After the body being placed in the Colombo Art Gallery on 10 August 2013 from 10 am to 4 pm, funeral took place on the same day at Borella Cemetery.
Career Her elder sister was married to Matale. After the husband's sudden death, Kumari with her son stayed at elder sister's house. The son was three years old at that time. One day, Ananda Jayaratne came to the house of sister to meet sister's son. When Ananda saw her that day, he asked to act in his film. She entered the cinema industry in 1968 with Ananda Jayaratne's film Adarai Karunavai with the role as a "servant". She was 25 years old at that time. She acted in more than 60 films since 1968 until her last appearance in 2011 film Sinhawalokanaya. Some of her popular films include Desa Nisa, Wathsala Akka, Ran Salu, Akkara Paha and Segawunu Menika.
After the cinema, Kumari started to act in Dhamma Jagoda's stage plays. Some of her popular stage plays are Wes Muhuna, Weniyan Kalu Weniyan and Wessanthara. Kumari learnt dancing from Shesha Palihakkara. After filmmaker A.B. Raj saw her at an exhibition, she offered a role in his film Ramyalatha. Her first lead role in films came through film Sirimalee. Then in 1960, she played the lead role opposite to Gamini Fonseka in the film Pirimiyek Nisa. However, she quit from cinema due to father's death in the following year.
Her maiden television acting came through Dath Kekulu Paala directed by Sriyani Amarasena in 1990. Since then, she acted in many popular serials including, Giju, Saapa Nokarav Daruwane, Girikula, Ramya Suramya, Maya, Dussaranayo and Ulamage Rathriya. She continued to act in single episode poya day television serials Sansare Piya Satahan directed by Ananda Abenayake and Sitha Niwana Katha directed by Dayaratne Ratagedara for many years with the role "Granny".
Selected television serials Dath Kekulu Paala Dooli Pinatharu Dussaranayo Eka Iththaka Mal Giju Girikula Maya Meghayen Eha Monarathanna Nannadunanni Ramya Suramya Ran Samanalayo Saapa Nokarav Daruwane Sanda Mudunata Sansare Piya Satahan Sitha Niwana Katha Smarana Samapthi Ulamage Rathriya
Awards Kumari has received many awards at local drama festivals.
Presidential Award in 1986 for the film Wathsala Akka Critics Award for the film Tharanaya in 1998 Best Supporting Actress at Sumathi Awards in 2000 for the serial Nannadunanni Presidential Award in 2005 for the film Pawuru Walalu Excellence Awards at Sarasaviya Film Festival in 2008
Filmography Year Film Role Ref. 1960 Pirimiyek Nisa 1965 Landaka Mahima 1966 Layata Laya 1967 Segawunu Menika 1968 Ruhunu Kumari 1968 Adarayay Karunawai 1969 Mee Masso 1969 Paara Walalu 1970 Akkara Paha Sandha's mother 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1972 Sujeewa 1972 Singapore Charlie 1972 Ihatha Athmaya Nurse 1974 Lasanda Plantation worker 1975 Pem Kurullo 1975 Tharanga Mrs. Alpana 1975 Jeewana Geethaya 1975 Desa Nisa Nirukada's aunt 1976 Nayana 1976 Wasana Nurse 1976 Deviyange Theenduwa Sophie 'Hami' 1977 Pembara Madhu 1977 Niwena Ginna 1978 Janaka Saha Manju Orphanage name suggester 1978 Kumara Kumariyo Bandara aunty 1978 Sasara 1979 Wasanthaye Dawasak Heen Menike 1979 Monarathenna 1980 Parithyagaya Dhanaprema's mother 1980 Sabeetha Mrs. Silva 1981 Suriyakantha Mother 1981 Ridee Thella 1981 Sathara Diganthaya 1982 Maha Gedara Andiris's wife 1982 Pethi Gomara Purnika's mother 1982 Sanasanna Ma 1982 Wathura Karaththaya 1982 Malata Noena Bambaru 1983 Chutte Celestina 1983 Athin Athata Nelum's relative 1983 Subodha 1983 Bonikka Mrs. Serasinghe 1984 Kiri Kawadi Basil's mother 1984 Adara Geethaya 1984 Deveni Gamana 1984 Hithawathiya Maid 1984 Wadula Dingirala's mother 1984 Hadawathaka Wedana 1984 Arunata Pera Manike 1984 Maya Maggie 1985 Wathsala Akka 1986 Mal Warusa Pillawe Kumarihamy 1997 Pavuru Valalu Maggie 1997 Duwata Mawaka Misa 1997 Tharanaya 1997 Punaruthpaththiya 2000 Sanda Yahanata 2002 Mage Wam Atha Wife's mother 2003 Sulang Kirilli Wife's mother 2004 Diya Yata Gindara Sampath's mother 2004 Premawanthayo 2004 Randiya Dahara Samantha's aunt 2005 Sulanga 2006 Hiripoda Wassa Prema 'Aayamma' 2006 Samaara 2006 Kurulu Pihatu Granny 2007 Sankranthi 2008 Machan Manoj's Grandmother 2009 Kanyavi Somawathi 2011 Sinhawalokanaya Bindu's granny 2013 Maw Senehasa
References