Manel Chinthamani Wanaguru (Sinhala: මානෙල් වානගුරු; born 18 October 1951), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television.

Personal life

Manel Wanaguru was born on 18 October 1951. Her father Dudley Samuel Wanaguru was also an actor in Sinhala cinema. Dudley was born on 16 December 1922 and died on 29 July, 2003. He was a past pupil of St. Joseph's College, Wattala. He made his debut acting through film Eda Ra and then acted in many films such as Daiwa Wipakaya, Hadisi Vivahaya, Gehenu Geta and Patachara. He also directed the film Sengawunu Menika. Her mother was Indrani Dissanayake, who was a housewife. Manel has six siblings: Upendra, Lakshman, Tissa, Nihal, Tamara, and Rohan.

Wanaguru is married to Ananda Wickramage, who is also a renowned actor and comedian. The couple has two sons - Janith Wickramage and Sanketh Wickramage, both are actors.

Acting career

Selected television serials

  • Akuru Maki Na
  • Anne
  • Bath Amma
  • Bindunu Sith
  • Dedunnai Adare
  • Dedunnen Eha
  • Gimhana Tharanaya
  • Girikula
  • Hada Pudasuna
  • Hoduwawa
  • Kadulu Thahanchiya
  • Kammiththa
  • Kokila Ginna
  • Maruk Mal
  • Medagedara
  • Mila
  • Nadeeladiya
  • Nisala Diya Sasala Viya
  • Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni
  • Patalawilla
  • Paata Veeduru
  • Pawani
  • Pem Piyawara
  • Pooja
  • Prema Parami
  • Rangamadala Samugani
  • Rashmi
  • Ruwan Sakmana
  • Sahas Gaw Dura
  • Salsapuna
  • Sanda Nodutu Sanda
  • Sanda Numba Nam
  • Sasara Sarani
  • Shaun
  • Sihina Kumari
  • Sihina Puraya
  • Sivusiya Gawwa
  • Urumaya Soya
  • Visirunu Renu

Selected stage dramas

  • Raja Kapilla
  • Stella Setwela
  • Su Saha Guru

Filmography

Her maiden cinematic experience came through 1958 film Vanaliya directed by B.A.W. Jayamanne.

Key
†Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
YearFilmRoleRef.
1958Vanaliya
1973Sadahatama Oba Mage
1973Dahakin EkekShyama's friend
1974Kasthuri SuwandaLetchemi
1974Dinum Kanuwa
1974Wasthuwa
1975Hitha Honda MinihekCaretaker
1975Cyril Malli
1975Kalu Diya Dahara
1975Pem Kurullo
1975TharangaTharanga
1975Amaraneeya Adare
1975Kokilayo
1975Rajagedara Paraviyo
1976Nilla SoyaNilmini 'Seetha' 'Meena'
1977Neela
1977Hithuwakkarayo
1978TikiraGeetha
1978Sithaka SuwandaLillian
1978Asha Desin
1978Apsara
1978Kumara KumariyoPrincey Ranawaka
1979SamanmaleeKamini
1979Hari PudumaiRangan
1980Doctor Susantha
1980Seetha
1980Raktha
1980SabeethaChamila
1981Sathkulu PawwaNimal's sister
1982Sudu AyyaSusee
1982Jeewithayen Jeewithayak
1982Rahasak Nathi Rahasak
1982Eka Diga Kathawak
1982Kiri Suwanda
1983Karate Joe
1984Ranmalige WasanawaManel
1984KokilaManjula
1984Namal Renu
1984Hadawathaka Wedana
1984Birinda
1985Adarayaka MahimaSeetha Pararajasekaram
1985Sudu Mama
1985Du Daruwo
1986PeralikarayoIvonne
1987Nommara EkaiSharada
1989Badulu Kochchiya
1990Jaya Shakthi
1990Walawwe Hamu
1990Pem Rajadahana
1992Okkoma Kanapita
1992KulageyaMervyn's elder sister
1993Mawila Penewi Roope Hade
1993Weli SulangaKathy
1994Rajawanshen Ekek
1995Ira Handa Illa
1997Apaye Thappara Asu Haradahak
1997Goodbye Tokyo
2001Jolly HalloBrando's mother[deprecated source]
2002Surapurata Kanyaviyak
2002Cheriyo Holman
2003Numba Nadan Apita PissuSepalika's mother
2006Eka Malaka Pethi
2006Supiri Balawatha
2010Thank You BertyOpal
2010Viyapath Bambara
2011Sweet Angel
2011GamaniNGO Committee member
2011Putha Mage Suraya
2012Sihinaya Dige EnnaManel
2013Peeter OneDalryn
2014Que Sera
2015Sanjana
2015Lantin SinghoRupawathi Meniyo
2017Hima Tharaka
2017NilanjanaShirani
2017Sellam Nethnam Lellam
2018SeyaConvent Nun
2018Athuru Mithuru Hari Apuru
2023Meka Puduma Kathawak
TBAKidnap †
TBAAdarei Jaanu †
TBANuhuru Vaeyama †
TBAGothra †

Awards

Deepashika Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1974Kasthuri SuwandaBest Dramatic PerformanceWon

Deepashika Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2021Contribution to CinemaU.W. Sumathipala LifetimeWon

External links