Sarath Chandrasiri

He was born on 13 June 1964 in Panadura, Ceylon. He went to Wekada Bauddhaloka Vidyalaya where he met drama teacher Sarath Kulanga.^[4] Later he was educated at Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura.

Chandrasiri is married to longtime partner Charika Jayamali. The couple has one son – Kanchuka Thilakshana, and one daughter – Hasara Nilakshi. Kanchuka is an engineer graduated from University of Moratuwa. Hasara is a physics graduate at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.^[4]

On 21 November 2016, Chandrasiri was hospitalized by a brief illness while working in a stage play. He was rushed into the Alpitiya hospital.^[5][6] In November 2021, he was again hospitalized and has been receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the Colombo National Hospital for the many weeks due to an internal hemorrhage.^[7] During that period, false rumors circulated that he died at the hospital.^[8][9][10] Later on 4 December 2021, he died at the age of 57 while receiving treatment at National Hospital, Colombo due to cerebral hemorrhage.^[11][12] Funeral service was held on 6 December 2021 at 4.00 pm at the Walgama Crematorium in Bandaragama.^[13]

Chandrasiri made his acting debut in 1976 on the school stage. In 1979, he won the Best Actor award at the All Island Drama Competition, opened the doors of the stage with the stage play 'Ahas Maliga' produced by veteran songstress Chandrika Siriwardena.^[14] Then he started drama career under the guidance of his teacher Sarath Kulanga. Meanwhile, he met several other playwrights including Janak Premalal and Jayalath Manoratne through Kulanga. Under them he acted in many stage plays such as Abuddassa Kolama, Raja Kapuru, Andarela, Thalamala Pipila, Guru Tharuwa and Puthra Samagama.^[4]

He made television debut with the serial Sankranthi Samaya directed by Ananda Abenayake. In the preceding years, he joined with many television serials such as: Asani Væsi, Varaperaḷiya, Doo Daruvō, Punchi Vīrayō, Aḍō, Damsārī and Mahaviru Paṇḍu.^[13] In 2006, he joined with the regular cast of popular soap opera Paba where he played the popular role of "Samagipura Wasantha". Later he made the many notable roles in the serials including: as "Kuṇu Anṭā" in Depath Nayi, as "Perum Puli" in Wasantha Kusalana, as "Majan" in Ransirigē Sangrāmaya, as "Baṇḍā" as Hiru Soyā, as "Tikiri Baṇḍā" in Guru Tharuva, as "Hanumanthā" in Wesgattō, as "Saraa" in Jodu Gedara and as "Veda Mahaththayā" in Neela Pabaḷu.^[14] Meanwhile in 2011, he made the sub lead role "Ukkuwa" in the supernatural drama Malee. After the huge popularity, he reprised the role in second season of the show titled Aththamma. In the third season Sidu he made a cameo role in few early episodes.

In 2000, he made film debut with a minor role of "Purple shirt shooter" in the crime film Rajya Sevaya Pinisai directed by Udayakantha Warnasuriya. Since then he received many villain and thug roles in the films such as; One Shot, Samanala Thatu, Sudu Hansi, Mago Digo Dai and Gamani. Meanwhile, he made the role "Devil" in children's film Ran Kevita. After series of supportive and minor roles in cinema, he made the sub lead role of "Circuit Sarath" in the comedy drama Dr. Nawariyan. His final acting appearance came through the role "Anton, the bus driver" in the television serial Rella Veralata Adarei in 2021.