Kanchana Mendis (born June 24, 1980 as කාංචනා මෙන්ඩිස්) [Sinhala]) is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama, and television. She is best known for her roles in movies Rajaya Sewaya Pinisai, Rosa Wasanthe, and television serials Damini and Sakman Maluwa.
Personal life Her father died when she was two years old. She was married to Roshan Ranawaka in 2009. The couple has two sons, Senitha Ryan, Nirvana Rayyon and one daughter, Keisha Ryleigh. She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her family.
Career She became popular with the television advertisement Ninja Mosquito Coil, along with Sanath Wimalasiri and Nimanthi Porage, in 1998. She acted in the television serial Suba Anagathayak at the age of 12, directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja. She entered the mainstream film industry through the 2000 Sinhala film Rajaya Sewaya Pinisai, directed by Udayakantha Warnasuriya, with the character of a private secretary, "Prabashwari". She has also appeared in a Tamil film named Varnajalam, where the main roles were done by Sadha and Srikanth, as well as in Kanagalal Kai Rasi. She also acted in a few stage dramas such as Dharma Sangramaya by Saman Thushara and Ananga Bambaru by Richard Manawadu.
In 2003, Mendis was chosen as a "brand ambassador" for the special 40th anniversary lottery ticket from the Sri Lankan National Lotteries Board. During the same year, she won the Sumathi Tele award at Artscope for Most Popular Actress.
Selected television serials
Akaradaruwa Ambu Daruwo Apooru Soladaduwa Athma Senehasa Bharyawo Bindena Benduma Bopath Sakkiya Dahas Gawdura Damini Dath Kekulu Pala Derana Deyyinge Kamaththa Doo Daruwo Fantasy Avenue Girikula Guru Geethaya Hemanthaye Wasanthayak Indrachapa Isuruyogaya Kinduru Nadiya Kulawanthayo Mahagedara Mahathala Hatana Makaranda Mal Ethana Maya Mansala Me Wasantha Kaalayai Monaravila Nadeeladiya Nethaka Maayavee Pathini Pinibara Yamaya Ridi Duvili Sakman Maluwa Sanda Hiru Tharu Sandakada Thanna Sandaliya Sanda Maddahana Sanduni Sasandara Sathipooja Sawsiri Uyana Sihina Wasanthayak Sinansenna Anuththara Siri Dev Bawana Suba Anagathayak Sudu Mal Kanda Sujatha Suralova Therani Geethaya Wassanaye Hiru Evidin
Awards She has won several awards at local film festivals and television festivals. In 2000, she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in the debut movie Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai at the Presidential Awards. In 2001, she won a merit award for the role in Rosa Wasanthe at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.
Presidential Film Awards
|| 2000 ||| Rajaya Sevaya Pinisai || Best Supporting Actress ||
Sarasaviya Awards
|| 2001 ||| Rosa Wasanthe || Merit Award ||
Sumathi Awards
|| 2003 ||| || Most Popular Actress || |- || 2013 ||| Me Wasantha Kaalayai || Best Actress || |- || 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
Raigam Tele'es
|| 2012 ||| Me Wasantha Kaalayai || Best Actress || |- || 2015 ||| Girikula || Best Actress ||
Filmography Year Film Character Notes Ref. 2000 Rajya Sevaya Pinisai Prabashwari Won Presidential Award 2001 Rosa Wasanthe Hansamali 2002 Sudu Sewaneli 2003 Sakman Maluwa Prema Leading female role 2003 Pura Sakmana 2003 One Shot Vishaka 2004 Varnajalam Viji Tamil film 2006 Samaara Indu 2007 Nisala Gira Asela 2008 Superstar 2008 Hathara Denama Surayo remake Soma 2008 Heart FM Mandakini 2011 Sinhawalokanaya Shenali 2011 Samanala Uyana 2014 Parapura Chethana 2017 Sooriya 2021 Wassane Sihinaya
References
External links වත් පොහොසත්කම ඉදිරියේ මිලින වී ගිය ප්රථම ප්රේමය The darling of ‘Heart FM’ පවුලක් වශයෙන් දෙපැත්තක ඉන්න මම කැමැති නැහැ - කාංචනා මෙන්ඩිස් Buddha’s life set to music