Menik Kurukulasuriya

She was born as the youngest of the family. Her father was Kurukulasuriyage Venus Anthony Fernando.^[1] Kurukualsuriya studied at Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura, All Saints Balika Borella and St. Paul’s Girls School, Milagiriya.

She has three elder sisters - Jeevarani, Shirani and Janaki, all are actresses.^[2] She also has one brother, Vivek, who currently lives in Australia.^[1] Shirani got the opportunity to act with Jeevarani in the film Ranmuthu Duwa. Janaki got the opportunity to play with sister in the film Sasaraka Hati.^[3]

Jeevarani is married to Lanka Wijeratne, who is a doctor. They married in 1968. They moved to Australia after spending five years of marriage in Sri Lanka. The couple has three daughters - Sajeewani, Senani and Lankangani. Elder daughter, Sanjeewani is a nutritionist and a first-class singer. Younger daughters are doctors.^[4] Lankangani is married to entrepreneur Nalaka Edirisinghe. Nalaka is the son of media personality Soma Edirisinghe.^[1] Senani is also a singer and released her first solo track in 2016.^[5]

At first she never intended to become an actress like her elder sisters. Nonetheless Menik followed in their path after being elected Goya Beauty Queen in 1971.^[6]

Kurukuasuriya made her debut in Dharmasena Pathiraja's 1973 film Ahas Gauwa playing Amarasiri Kalansuriya's sister.