Sanath Wimalasiri

Wimalasiri was born on 8 April 1974 in Matale, the son of Johnny Wimalasiri and Prema Thalgahagoda, both retired aesthetic-studies instructors. He was born into the prominent Thalgahagoda family of Matale, a lineage of classically trained Kandyan dancers. His brother, Mahinda, is a senior lecturer at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts and is also active in drama and theatre.^[3]

Wimalasiri received his schooling from Weuda Central College, Kurunegala. D.M. Gunarathna Maha Vidyalaya, Matale, St. Thomas' College, Matale,^[4] and Kingswood College, Kandy. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Drama and Theatre) from the University of Colombo. He later completed a PhD in psychology at the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Education under the supervision of Chair Professor Manjula Vithanapathirana.

Wimalasiri is married to Vineetha Erandathi, a teacher at Sri Jayewardenepura Balika Vidyalaya. The couple have two daughters.^[5][6]

He started to act in stage dramas while studying at Kingswood College. He first stage acting came through the play Kethumathi produced by Upali Thilanka Hewage. Under the guidance of his teacher Amitha Rabbidigala, Wimalasiri joined Ediriweera Sarachchandra's theater group. He was selected to play the lead roles in Sarachchandra's critically acclaimed plays such as Maname and Sinhabahu. In 1992, his acted in the serial Nedayo directed by Nalan Mendis, which marked his entrance to television serials.^[7] His maiden cinema acting came through 2003 film Sonduru Dadabima directed by Anura Horatious. His most notable acting came through comedy film Sri Last Chance.^[8]

He hosted the television programs Visi Ek Wani Peya and Sarsaraniya telecast on Swarnawahini. Sinal Soyanna Dinanna and Hedakara Hendewa telecast on ITN. He hosted Potawe Isakkaluwa telecast on TV One. He also conducts the programme, Sanath Ekka Jeewithayata Idadenna, an innovative musical event which improves people's prosocial attitudes.^[5]

Wimalasiri began his career as a music teacher and later moved into dance instruction, serving as the dance teacher at D. S. Senanayake College.^[7] He subsequently shifted his focus to drama and theatre, and is now the drama and theatre teacher at Rahula Girls' School in Malabe. He also serves as an assistant lecturer with the Sri Jayewardenepura Zonal Education Office, an external lecturer at the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Education, an external lecturer at the National Institute of Law, and a consultant in manpower development.^[5]

In 2018, Wimalasiri launched Sanath Ekka Jeewithayata Idadenna, a series of musical workshops that blends music with arts-based awareness programs designed to reduce stress, foster pro-social attitudes, and encourage people to find enjoyment and balance through artistic expression.^[45]