Leena De Silva

Liyanage Don Leena Piyasili de Silva, fondly known as Leena de Silva and born on 30 October 1936 as ලීනා ද සිල්වා, is a revered figure in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television.[1][2] With a career spanning over six decades, de Silva stands as one of the early pillars of Sri Lankan cinema, having contributed to numerous critically acclaimed films of her generation.[3]

Early Life:
De Silva was born on 30 October 1936 in Maligakanda, Colombo.[4] Her father, Don Simon de Silva, served as a supervisor at the Ceylon Cargo Board Company, while her mother was Alice Silva. She shared her upbringing with two sisters, Trilicia Kusuma and Merlyn Thilaka, and a brother named Jayampath Sam. De Silva completed her education at Ananda Balika Vidyalaya in Kotte.[5]

Marriage and Family:
She tied the knot with fellow actor Ravindra Rupasena on 11 November 1960, and their union lasted until Rupasena's demise in 1978.[6] Their paths crossed during their debut film "Ahankara Sthree," and they continued to grace the silver screen together in subsequent films like "Surathali," "Sohoyuro," "Sundara Birinda," "Suneetha," and "Nalagana." The couple was blessed with a son, Bimal Yoga Sri (born 13 September 1961), and a daughter, Poorna Priyadarshani (born 1 June 1963), who has proven her talent as a lyricist.[5] Rupasena's sister was married to film producer Stanley de Silva, and he had a brother named W.A. Keerthisena. Tragically, Rupasena passed away from a heart attack on 15 April 1978 at the age of 49. After her husband's passing, Leena took a hiatus from acting for two years and returned to the screen with the film "Ganga Addara" in 1980. In 1991, she relocated to Canada, where she currently resides in Pickering, Ontario, with her children.[7][8]

Career:
Leena's artistic journey began at the age of 12 when she performed the lead role in the play "Pipe Piper Model" during an English class. Her introduction to dancing came under the tutelage of renowned dancer and actor Shesha Palihakkara, who paved the way for her entry into the world of cinema.[6] Her debut on the silver screen was in the 1954 film "Ahankara Sthree," where she performed a dance sequence as Lanka Matha while she was still in grade 9. This marked the beginning of her association with the world of cinema.[9] In 1956, she was cast as the lead female role in Cyril P. Abeyratne's film "Surathali," facilitated by her husband's introduction. Leena's talents extended beyond cinema, as demonstrated by her fifth-place win at the "Panch Kalyani beauty pageant" in 1955.[7]

Throughout her career, Leena appeared in numerous well-received films, including "Sundara Birinda," "Kele Mal," "Awaragira," and "Yahalu Yeheli." She even had the privilege of sharing the screen with the legendary Rukmani Devi in the film "Nalangana."[7] Beyond cinema, she showcased her acting skills in stage dramas like "Thattu Gewal," "Dolosweni Raathriya," and "Julius Caesar."[7] Her television endeavors encompassed roles in serials like "Selalihini Gammanaya," "Sudu Parewiyo," "Himi Ahimi," and "Uda Gira."[5] Even while in Canada, Leena's passion for storytelling continued as she directed the tele serial "Ratakin Ratakata."

Leena de Silva's illustrious career and contributions to the arts have left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan entertainment, making her a cherished figure in the country's cultural landscape.