Susila Kuragama
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Susila Kuragama සුසිලා කූරගම | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 14, 1943 |
| Died | February 1, 2016 (aged 72) Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka |
| Other names | Ensina |
| Education | Sri Parakramabahu College, Narahenpita |
| Occupations | Actress, Dramatist |
| Years active | 1950–2016 |
| Spouse | M. P. Gnanatilake |
| Children | 4 |
Kala Bhushana Susila Kuragama (සුසිලා කූරගම, [Sinhala]; 14 October 1943 – 1 February 2016), was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] She became very popular with the role "Ensina" she played in the television serial Kopi Kade.[2]
She was born on 14 October 1943 in Thimbirigasyaya, Narahenpita, Colombo.[3] She completed education from Sri Parakramabahu College, Narahenpita.[4]
Shee was married to M. P. Gunathilake, a retired police constable.[5][6] The couple has 4 children.[7][4]
She had been seriously ill for some time and had been receiving treatment at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital since 22 January 2016.[5] Kuragama died on 1 February 2016 at the age of 72 while receiving treatment at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.[3][8] The funeral took place on 3 February 2016 at the Colombo cemetery.[9]
Career
She started acting at the age of 7 in several Nadagam and Noorthi dramas. She made first stage drama appearance with the play Sakkara Wattan produced by GDL Perera.[1] Then she acted in the stage dramas Natabun, Manape, Avanhala, Elara Dutugemunu, Hemamali and Saradiel.[3][9][4]
Kuragama made her maiden cinema appearance with the 1978 film Deepanjali directed by Dharma Sri Caldera.[10] Since then, she has acted in many comedic supportive roles in the commercial films such as Muwan Pelessa, Ajasaththa, Gimhane Gee Nade, Vijay Saja Ajay, Naralowa Holman and Juriya Mamai.[4] She has been involved in theater, drama, theater and film production, acting and drama.[5] She produced the stage plays Sarapinage Walawwa, Silin Bilin, Sathmuthu, Diyasena, Upadinna Sakunthala and Rodi Kella.[11]
In 1981, Kuragama was selected to the television serial Kopi Kade by Thevis Guruge.[12] Her role as "Ensina" became highly popularized among the public and she was usually known by his character name rather than real name.[5] She appeared in the series from the beginning which first aired on 1 April 1987.[13]
She sang duet songs with fellow actor Chandrasiri Kodithuwakku such as Lanka Lanka, Oba Dakkoth Hari, Lassana Sande and Esuru Kala Kalaye.[14] She also held the one-man concert "Ensinage Sapirina".[9][4]