Shalani Tharaka

Shalani Tharaka Wijayabandara, also known as Shalani Tharaka, is a popular Sri Lankan actress, model, dancer, lyricist, and author. She was born on November 15, 1990, in Balangoda to Susantha Wijayabandara and Suraji Fernando. She completed her primary education at St. Agnes Convent, Balangoda, and secondary education at Newstead Girls College in Negombo, where she studied western and Kandyan dancing styles.<div><br></div><div>Tharaka gained mainstream popularity in 2007 by winning the Sirasa Kumariya beauty pageant organized by Sirasa TV when she was seventeen years old. She made her acting debut in the television serial Poojasanaya directed by Sherly P. Delankawala, and later acted in many popular teledramas such as Isuru Bawana, Hansi, Giridevi, Api Api Wage (I &amp; II), Ganga Addara, and Sanda Sanda Wage.</div><div><br></div><div>Apart from acting, Tharaka has also appeared in TV commercials for Hero Honda, Raino, and Janet, and played roles in music videos such as Oya Dese by Prinyan, Mata Oya by D n S, and Wasthuwe by Shafee ft. Delon. She made her cinema debut in 2012 with the movie Selvam, in which she played the role of "Medhavi". She also appeared in the lead role in the horror film Spandana.</div><div><br></div><div>Tharaka has participated in several dance competitions such as the second season of Sirasa Dancing Stars and Hiru Super Dancer. In 2020, she won both the Best Teledrama Actress and Most Popular Teledrama Actress awards at the 16th Raigam Tele'es ceremony, becoming the first actress in 24 years to win both awards simultaneously. In 2021, she appeared in the Raffealla Fernando Celebrity Calendar, which is considered one of the highest civilian honors awarded to an individual in Sri Lanka.</div>