Giriraj Kaushalya

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Giriraj Kaushalya
ගිරිරාජ් කෞශල්‍ය
Born
Silmesthri Giriraj Kaushalya

(1964-11-13) November 13, 1964 (age 59)
Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationGurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya
Occupation(s)Actor, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, Singer
Years active1999–present
SpouseMangalika Fernando (m. 1988)
ChildrenKavindya Nilupuli
Amandya Uthpali
RelativesLalith Janakantha (brother)

Silmesthri Giriraj Kaushalya (born November 13,[1] 1964) (Sinhala: ගිරිරාජ් කෞශල්‍ය), popularly known as Giriraj Kaushalya, is a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[2] Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Kaushalya also has worked as an assistant director, producer, script writer and a filmmaker.[3]

Personal life[edit]

Kaushalya was born on 13 November 1964 in Kolonnawa, Colombo as the youngest of the family with four siblings. He has three elder brothers and one elder sister.[4] He entered village school in Kolonnawa and then attended to Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya.[5] His father was an active trade unionist in Ceylon Electricity Board and a member of the Sri Lanka Communist Party represented the Left Movement.[6] He worked in Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka before entering to acting. His elder brother Lalith Janakantha is also a renowned actor in stage, television and cinema.

He met his wife Mangalika Fernando during the work in Mahaweli Authority in Lihinyagama, Mahaweli C zone in 1986.[7] She was a draftsman and Kaushalya was a store keeper. They engaged in 1987 and wedding was celebrated in 1988.[8] They both left the work in 1998. The couple has two daughters - Kavindya Nilupuli and Amandya Uthpali.[5] Eldest daughter was born on 1989 and second daughter in 1994.

He got critically ill with leukemia by the end of 2021, where he quit from acting for indefinite period.[9][10][11][12] He was diagnosed with the disease in late October 2021 and in hospitalized for over 40 days at a hospital in 2022.[13]

Acting career[edit]

He worked with veteran actor Sathischandra Edirisinghe in Mahaweli Authority during Mahaweli cultural unit. Then Edirisinghe invited him to play a role in his teledrama Namal Golla, which marked his first appearance in drama career. Then he acted in Kokila Ginna directed again by Edirisinghe.[5]

His entrance to the stage drama was an accident. He used to go for plays with elder brother Lalith. His maiden performance on stage was to stand in for an absent actor in the play Dukgannarala by Prasannajith Abeysuriya. He joined veteran dramatist Somalatha Subasinghe's drama troupe and acted in her stage plays such as Mawakage Sangramaya, Antigany and some children plays like Hima Kumari and Thoppi Welenda.[14]

He continued performed in stage dramas for many years. His popular stage acting came through Somaratne Dissanayake's Mee Pura Wesiyo, Parakrama Niriella's Sekkuwa, Rodney Warnakula's Saranga Naven Evith and Priyantha Seneviratne's Minisa.[14]

In 1997, he got the chance to work as assistant director in popular teledrama Nonavaruni Mahathvaruni directed by Jayaprakash Sivagurunathan.[5] He also acted in some role in the drama as well. He wrote the scripts for a number of popular television comedies like Kathura and Ethuma 1, 2.[6] His maiden television drama direction came through Nana Kamare which was telecasted on Swarnavahini. The serial stars Bandu Samarasinghe and became a hit in that year.[14] He also directed the serial Mithra Samagama telecasted in TV Derana.[15]

Selected stage dramas[edit]

  • Mawakage Sangramaya
  • Antigany
  • Mee Pura Wesiyo
  • Sekkuwa
  • Saranga Nawen Awith
  • Minisa
  • Saadaya Marai Salli Hamarai[16]
  • Comedy Buddy[17]
  • Sudu Redi Horu[18]

Selected television serials[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Kaushalya started his film career film Sanda Dadayama directed by Asoka Handagama, which is not screened yet.[4] His first screened film is 1999 film Salupata Ahasata directed by Mario Jayathunga.[52] Then he contributed in several blockbuster films such as Sikuru Hathe, Suhada Koka and Maya particularly as a comedian.[53]

His maiden cinematic direction came through Sikuru Hathe in 2007.[14] The film had positive reviews from critics and won several awards at local film festivals.[6][54]

Year Film Role Ref.
1999 Salupata Ahasata
2001 Aswesuma Hunter
2001 Punchi Suranganavi [55]
2002 Mage Wam Atha Boss's henchman [56]
2003 Sonduru Dadabima Gladwin [57]
2004 Sooriya Arana Salesman [58]
2005 Samanala Thatu Bicycle Shop owner [59]
2006 Udugan Yamaya [60]
2007 Aganthukaya [61]
2007 Sankranthi [62]
2008 Siri Raja Siri Theater controller [63]
2010 Tikiri Suwanda Alphonsu [64]
2010 Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe cameo appearance
2011 King Hunther Benja [65]
2011 Gamani NGO officer [66]
2012 Prathiroo Salesman [67]
2013 Bomba Saha Rosa Police sergeant [68]
2013 Siri Parakum Ven. Kalundewa Thero [69]
2014 Ahelepola Kumarihami Lokuru Naide [70]
2014 Ko Mark No Mark Vimukthi [71]
2015 Suhada Koka Kalu Mudalali [72]
2015 Bora Diya Pokuna [73]
2015 Lantin Singho Appu [74]
2015 Maya 3D Gamini [75]
2017 Ali Kathawa King's physician [76]
2017 Paha Samath Bus driver [77]
2017 Punchi Apith Baya Na Dan Patty Mudalali [78]
2018 Raigamayai Gampalayai Raigamaya [79]
2019 Thaala Kattadiya [80]
2019 President Super Star multiple roles [81]
2019 Reload Lekam [82]
2020 Tsunami Lawyer [83]
2020 The Newspaper Cabinet minister [84]
2020 Miss Jenis Karu
2023 Guththila Magandi [85]
TBD Thanapathilage Gedara [86]
TBD Suvisi Vivarana [87]

As a director[edit]

Year Film Ref.
2007 Sikuru Hathe [88]
2015 Suhada Koka [89]
2023 Kathuru Mithuru [90]

Awards[edit]

He is a recipient of awards at several local film festivals.[91][92]

Raigam Tele'es Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 Isuru Bhavana Merit Award Won

Sumathi Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2011 Thaksalava Merit Award Won

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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