Kalabhushana Ramya Wanigasekara worked as an actress in theater, television, and film in Sri Lanka. She was a news reader for more than 20 years and was one of the pioneers of Sri Lankan radio.
On March 8, 2024, Wanigasekara passed away. He was 73 years old. She was receiving care at the Colombo National Hospital when she passed away. However, the exact cause of her death wasn’t stated.
Wanigasekara, the fifth child in a family of seven siblings, was born in Kotiyakumbura, Kegalle, on July 17, 1950. She was born in Eheliyagoda, her mother was from Hettimulla, Kegalle, and her father was an estate superintendent. Ramya’s brothers were two older brothers, two younger brothers, and two older sisters.
At Kotiyakumbura’s Ampe Maha Vidyalaya, she began her elementary schooling. Her schooling was eventually finished at Ruwanwella Royal College after she attended Pindeniya Vidyachakrawarthi National College.
With the production of Chandi Gunathilake’s stage play Hewayo in 1974, Wanigasekara made his theatrical debut as a playback vocalist. Following that, she started singing background vocals for several theatrical productions directed by Jayatissa Alahakoon. She made her stage debut in a small role in Ranjith Dharmakeerthi’s play Hasthiraja Mahaththaya in 1976.
Following that, she had the chance to do background vocals for Premasiri Khemadasa’s music for Dharmakeerthi’s performance Angara Ganga Gala Basi. She also had a few unintentional acting roles in the play.
Popular dramatist Ranasinghe Rajapakse Samarakoon, also referred to as R. R. Samarakoon, was married to Wanigasekara. On August 14, 1939, Samarakoon was born in Nawalapitiya’s Dekinda village. He began his senior school at Kingswood College in Kandy after completing his primary education at St Andrew’s College in Nawalapitiya. 2010 saw Samarakoon’s demise.
The affair began while Kelani Palama was on stage. The only child of the couple was Buddhika Mudithani. When Buddhika was younger, she played “Surangani” in Kelani Palama. She was a talented theater costume designer.
