Kusum Renu

Dabare Kusum Renuka Liyanage, known as Kusum Renu, is a popular actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television. She gained recognition for her role as Madhuri in the television sitcom "Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni" and as Vishaka Samaranayake in the film "Dharmayuddhaya."

Kusum Renu was born on January 30, 1961, in Colombo and completed her education at Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda. During her school years, she excelled in sports, was a Girl Guide, a school prefect, and a member of the school debating team. She also played the Esraj for the Eastern Band.

Kusum Renu is married to Sriyantha Mendis, a renowned actor and director. They met during the stage drama "Pandukabhaya" in 1984 and got married on October 25, 1986, following a proposal in April 1985. The couple has two daughters. Their elder daughter, Nipuni Preksha, is married to Shan Amanda Perera. Their younger daughter, Tharuki Amaya, has also acted in the stage play "Subha saha Yasa." Kusum Renu's cousin's daughter, Vidhushi Uththara, is also a popular actress on television.

Nipuni specializes in fashion design, costume design, and stage costume design, while her husband Shan is an engineer. They have a daughter named Gabriela Kathleen. Tharuki completed a course at NIBM and studied Human Resources.

Renu started her acting career during her school days. Her uncle, Senadheera Kuruppu, was a popular actor at the time, and she made her public acting debut through him. Her first role came in T.B. Illangaratne's stage play "Sailasanaya." She then went on to act in many television serials. In 1982, she won four Certificates of Merit from the National Youth Services Council for her role in "Mandaram Wahi." The following year, she received a merit award for her role in "Deiyange Punchi Akkaraya." In 1984, she won the Best Actress award for her role in "Hima Kunatuwa."

Renu had the opportunity to portray various roles, including a maid and a prostitute in Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's play "Mahasara." In Sriyantha Mendis' play "Sudu Saha Kalu," she played Jane Oyster, the wife of a police officer, with the uniqueness of having only three dialogues throughout the play. She has also played many historical characters in recent times, such as the queen of King Gajaba in the play "Shashree Gajaba" created by Vijaya Nandasiri. She portrayed the role of 'Puransina' in the play "Rassa Saha Parassa" directed by Sriyantha Mendis. Additionally, Renu acted as 'Lenchina' in Prof. Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi's play "Jasaya and Lenchina" and later starred in Bandula Vithanage's production of "Romaya Gini Gani."

After her marriage in 1986, she took a break from acting but made a comeback by winning the Best Actress award at the State Drama Festival for her role in "Deweni Mahinda" in 1998. In 2000, she played the role of 'Vasuki' in the play "Paadada Asapuwa" directed by Sriyanatha. The premiere of the play coincided with her birthday on January 30, 2000.