Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalani Tharaka Wijayabandara, popularly known to the world as Shalani Tharaka, is an emblematic figure from the island nation of Sri Lanka. Born in Balangoda, the serene city known for its picturesque waterfalls, Shalani’s Sri Lankan roots have significantly shaped her into the multifaceted artist she is today.
Delving into the Early Days
Shalani was introduced to the world on 15th November 1990 in the quaint town of Balangoda. Her father, Susantha Wijayabandara, was a significant influence, while her mother, Suraji Fernando, a beautician, instilled an appreciation for aesthetics in her. Shalani’s initial education took place at St. Agnes Convent, Balangoda. The dance floors of Newstead Girls College in Negombo later became her sanctuary, where she perfected Western and Kandyan dancing styles, sowing the seeds for her future in the entertainment realm.
Journey to Stardom: Hits, Glitz, and Glitters
Shalani Tharaka’s journey into the world of entertainment began in 2007. At the tender age of seventeen, she captured the nation’s attention by clinching the prestigious Sirasa Kumariya title. This victory wasn’t just a feather in her cap; it was her doorway into the expansive universe of Sri Lankan showbiz.
Her acting debut came shortly after with the television serial ‘Poojasanaya’ directed by the esteemed Sherly P. Delankawala. Sharing the screen with co-star Suraj Mapa, Shalani quickly made her mark. This was merely the beginning. Riding the wave of her newfound fame, she secured roles in several popular television serials such as ‘Isuru Bawana,’ ‘Hansi,’ ‘Giridevi,’ ‘Api Api Wage (I & II),’ ‘Ganga Addara,’ and ‘Sanda Sanda Wage.’ Each of these projects further solidified her position as one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after television actresses.
But Shalani wasn’t content with just television success. She diversified her portfolio by starring in commercials for brands like Hero Honda, Raino, and Janet. She also graced various music videos, adding more dimensions to her artistic repertoire.
In 2012, the silver screen beckoned. Shalani made her cinematic debut with the movie ‘Selvam,’ where she portrayed the character “Medhavi.” Her well-received performance led to more film roles, including the lead in the horror flick ‘Spandana.’ Beyond acting, her talents on the dance floor were evident as she participated in reality dance shows such as Sirasa Dancing Stars and Hiru Super Dancer.
A career highlight came in September 2020 when she made history at the 16th Raigam Tele’es ceremony. Shalani became the first actress in 24 years to bag both the Best Teledrama Actress and the Most Popular Teledrama Actress awards simultaneously. The subsequent year saw her gracing the Raffealla Fernando Celebrity Calendar, a distinction viewed as one of the highest civilian honors in Sri Lanka.
Filmography
| Title | Role | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Selwam | Actress | 2011 |
| Spandana | Main Actress | 2015 |
| Nela | Main Actress | 2018 |
| Viyasiduru | Main Actress | 2023 |
| Miringu Yathra | Actress | Upcoming |
| Mayavi | Main Actress | Upcoming |
| Akarsha | Actress | Upcoming |
| Mayawee | Main Actress | Upcoming |
Latest Teledramas
| Teledrama Title | Role |
|---|---|
| Kiya Denna Adare Tharam | Actress (as Sneha) |
| Chalo | Actress |
| Sihina Genena Kumariye | Actress |
| Meenu | Actress |
| Giridevi | Actress |
| Heenayaki Me Adare | Actress |
| Queen | Actress |
| Akshi | Actress |
| Agni Piyapath | Main Actress |
Shalani Tharaka Awards –
| Awarding Body | Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumathi Awards | 2015 | Most Popular Actress | Won |
| Sumathi Awards | 2015 | Best Upcoming Actress | Won |
| Sumathi Awards | 2018 | Most Popular Actress | Won |
| Raigam Tele’es | 2015 | Jury Award | Won |
| Raigam Tele’es | 2016 | Most Popular Actress | Won |
| Raigam Tele’es | 2020 | Most Popular Actress | Won |
| Raigam Tele’es | 2020 | Best Actress | Won |
| Raigam Tele’es | 2022 | Most Popular Actress | Won |
| Derana Film Awards | 2019 | Lux Glamorous Star | Won |
| SIGNIS OCIC Awards | 2021 | Best Actress | Won |
Dominating the Digital Realm
Shalani’s Instagram is a testament to her enormous popularity. Boasting a staggering 950k followers, she remains an Instagram sensation. As of 17th October 2023, she also shines on Facebook with 1.9m admirers, TikTok with 210K followers, and YouTube with an impressive 330K subscribers. Sadly, her presence on X (formerly known as Twitter) and the newly launched Threads by Meta remains uncharted territory.
Personal Chronicles: Love, Commitments, and Beyond
The year 2023 has been monumental for Shalani as she embraced a new chapter in her life, getting engaged to Nihatha Salgado. While she has been the darling of the masses, her journey wasn’t devoid of controversies, making her life a compelling blend of love, commitments, achievements, and challenges.
