Anula Karunathilaka

Anula Karunathilaka is a celebrated Sri Lankan film actress and theatrical performer, with significant contributions to the cinema landscape of the 1970s in Sri Lanka. Renowned as one of the most popular actresses during the 1960s Sinhala cinema, she is best remembered for her iconic portrayal of 'Dammi' in the blockbuster movie "Golu Hadawatha."

Born on 23 January 1946 in Wellawatte, Colombo, Sri Lanka, she was the second child in her family. Her father, Thomas Karunatilake, ran a shop in the Wellawatte Market, while her mother, Somawathi, was a housewife. Anula had one older sister and two younger sisters, and she completed her education at Sri Lankadhaara Girls' School in Wellawatte.

At the age of 22, in March 1968, Anula married Daya Ranaweera, who worked for Dawasa Newspaper. The couple had two sons, but sadly, Daya passed away in 2001.

Anula's entry into the film industry in the early 1960s was serendipitous. She participated in a beauty contest organized by the Dawasa newspaper in 1962, urged by her sister. Her photo was published alongside other contestants, catching the attention of senior film industry figures, including Sumitra Peries and Tissa Abeysekera. They spotted her during the contest and later invited her to audition for a role in Lester James Peries' upcoming film "Gamperaliya." Although initially considered too young for the part of Nanda, she secured the role of Liza and made her on-screen debut at the age of 16.

Anula Karunathilaka played a crucial role in the local film industry's transition towards producing more authentically local performances, moving away from heavily Indian-influenced productions and narratives.

She was highly acclaimed for her character acting style, which is believed to have been influenced by her upbringing under strict cultural and family values during the 1940s.

Her most significant performance came in the film "Golu Hadawatha" ("Silent Heart"), where she portrayed the memorable character of Dhammi. The film's success further solidified her status as one of the most popular actresses of the late 1960s. For her exceptional portrayal, she was honored with the national Sarasaviya Award in 1969. Another notable role was in the film "Sugath."

Anula Karunathilaka's legacy as a talented and award-winning actress remains an integral part of Sri Lankan cinema history.