{{short description|Sri Lankan actress (1939–2021)}} {{Infobox person |name = Miyuri Samarasinghe <br> මියුරි සමරසිංහ |other_names = |image = |alt = |caption = |birth_date = {{birth date|1939|03|15}} |birth_name = Wijeratne Miyuri Samarasinghe |birth_place = Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |death_date = {{death date and age|2021|02|06|1939|03|15}} |death_place = Colombo, Sri Lanka |resting_place = |resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> |education = Musaeus College |years_active = 1965–2017 |party = |spouse = Piyal Samarasinghe (m. 1956) |children = 4 |awards = |signature = |website = |footnotes = |occupation = Actress, Dancer, Producer, Director }}
'''Wijeratne Miyuri Samarasinghe''' (15 March 1939 – 6 February 2021: as {{langx|si|මියුරි සමරසිංහ}}), popularly as '''Miyuri Samarasinghe''', was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8491070/ | title=Miyuri Samarasinghe films | publisher=IMDb | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> Apart from acting, she also worked as a dancer, scriptwriter, producer and director. She was serving as the president of Sudarshi Institute.<ref name= samara>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-story/2019/03/14/3482/ජීවිතේ-වසන්තයේ-මල්-පිපී-සුගන්ධවේ | title=Flowers of the spring of life are fragrant | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== She was born on 15 March 1939 in Moratuwa. She first attended Holy Rosary Catholic School, Moratuwa and then went to Musaeus College. At the age of 14, she was able to perform upcountry and low country dances under the guidance of Jayantha Algama. Therefore, she was selected to perform the middle and end dances of the monthly radio show.<ref name= miyuri>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2015/10/02/cineart04.html | title=Because of understanding and competence, I did not take a step back - veteran artist Miyuri Samarasinghe | publisher=Divaina | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>
She worked for the Sinhala Cultural Institute (Sudarsi) as a teacher, holding various positions.<ref name= samara />
She married at the age of 17 and by the age of 24, she was a mother of four children. She met her husband Piyal Samarasinghe during school days. The couple has three daughters - Sujeewa, Deepthi, Awanthi - and one son, Ruwan. Deepthi and Awanthi are twins.<ref name= miyuri /> Her husband Piyal died in 1979, when she was 39 years old.<ref name= samara />
She died on 6 February 2021 at the age of 81 after a prolonged battle with cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veteran actress Miyuri Samarasinghe no more |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/02/06/veteran-actress-miyuri-samarasinghe-no-more/ |access-date=2021-02-06 |website=newsfirst}}</ref>
==Acting career== While still in school, she entered the Radio Ceylon and later went on to various radio programs with musician M. K. Rocksamy. She became a permanent member of the ''Maasika Reguma'' program. Meanwhile, she attended to radio drama screen test conducted by Dharma Sri Wickramasinghe and became one of the top five scorers. At that time, she joined other young artists in the radio such as Geetha Kanthi Jayakody and Niranjala Sarojini for programs such as ''Baloli Loli Loli''. Although she moved away from art with her marriage, she later joined Mercy Edirisinghe for Welikala Ratna's stage play ''Aluth Dawasak''.<ref name="Sapatheru">{{Cite web |title='Sapatheru Hamine' who hid lovely laugh |url=http://www.silumina.lk/2021/02/13/රසඳුන/මියුරු-හස%C2%ADරැල්-සඟවා-නික්ම-ගිය-‘සප%C2%ADතේරු-හාමිනේ’ |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=Silumina}}</ref>
Then she received many opportunities for acting in stage plays such as ''Ran Kanda'', ''Umathusan Warusawa'', ''Bammanno'', ''Uruvisi'', ''Hitha Honda Ammandi'', ''Nattukkarayo'', ''Nekatha'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2011/06/19/mon50.asp | title=Nekatha at two places | publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> ''Othello'', ''Sivamma Dhanapala'', ''Lora'' and ''Nawasiya Anu Nawaya''. She has acted in over 300 stage plays and produced and directed 10 plays. In 1981, she won the Award for Best Actress at Presidential Festival for the play ''Nawasiya Anu Nawaya''. At the same year, her production ''Hima Kurullo'' received four awards at the Golden Design Awards for Best Actor, Actress, Script and Production.<ref name= miyuri /> In 1983, she wrote and directed the short drama ''Loka Dekak Athara'', where she won the Best actress award. Then she directed the play ''''Parasakwala Peyak''. It also won awards for the Best Actress and Best Production.<ref name= samara /> She has appeared in over 300 different stage plays such as: ''Hita Honda ammaṇḍi'', ''Pārā'', ''Dēśapāluvā'', ''Otelō'', ''Næṭṭukkārayō'', and ''Nækatha''.<ref name="Sapatheru" />
While she was still active on stage, she made her film debut with the film ''Baduth Ekka Horu'' with a minor role.<ref name="Sapatheru" /> Her first major role in films came through 1973 film ''Miringuwa'' directed by Amarasena Kumarasinghe.<ref name= miyuri /> Since then, she has acted in many films under renowned filmmakers, including ''Podi Vijay'', ''Adhishtanaya'', ''Ridee Thella'', ''Madol Duwa'', ''Viragaya'', ''Yahalu Yeheli'' and ''Adara Hasuna''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-miyuri-samarasinghe-475.html | title=Miyuri Samarasinghe filmography | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref><ref name= samara />
She entered television dramas with the New Year teledrama ''Erabadu Mal'' directed by Bandula Vithanage. After that she appeared in many motherly roles in over 500 tele serials such as ''Irata Handana Mal'', ''Ira Paya'', ''Ganga saha Nissanka'', ''Sannaliyane'', ''Nedeyo'', ''Sihina Nimnaya'', ''Sura Asura'', ''Damini'', ''Passe Gena Manamali'' and ''Sudo Sudu''.<ref name= miyuri /> She was also awarded the actress who acted in the most teledramas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actress Miyuri Samarasinghe, who acted in the most teledramas, has passed away |url=https://www.gossiplankanews.com/2021/02/miyuri-samarasinghe-passed-away.html |access-date=2021-02-06 |website=gossiplankanews}}</ref> She won Presidential Awards for Best Performance in 1976 and then Best Actress Award for drama ''Kemmura'' in 2002.<ref name= samara />
A concert ''Miyuri Samarasinghe Rangabhinandana'' organized by the Department of Culture and the Tower Hall Theater Foundation to pay tribute to her was held at the Maradana Tower Hall Theater on 4 October 2015.<ref name= miyuri /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://sinhala.news.lk/news/entertainment/item/13777-2015-10-02-05-26-33 | title="Miyuri Samarasinghe Rangabhinandana" Festival | publisher=Sinhala news | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref><ref name= samara /> As she passed the 50th anniversary of her drama career, she wrote her life story and published a book titled ''Kala Lowe Mama Ipadunemi''.<ref name= samara />
She has directed and produced nine stage dramas - ''Loka Dekak Athara'', ''Parasakwala Peyak'', ''Ammai Puthai'', ''Hima Kurullo'', ''Paara'', ''Anna Karonina'', ''Sapatheru Hamine'', ''Abarthuwak'', ''Miyuri Rangamala'' - and produced one play ''Muthu Aete''.<ref name= samara /> She was awarded the honorary title of ''Maanava Hithavadee Keerthi Sri Veeraputra Deshabandu'' in June, 2019 for the service towards drama in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20190722/282772063160851 | title=Dayan honorary title | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>
===Selected Television series=== * ''Amarapuraya'' * ''Damini'' * ''Doo Daruwo'' * ''Ganga Saha Nishshanka'' * ''Giraya'' * ''Hiruta Pipena Suriyakantha'' * ''Irata Handana Mal'' * ''Malsara Akunu'' * ''Niranandaya'' * ''Passe Gena Manamali'' * ''Sansara Sakmana'' * ''Sihina Nimnaya'' * ''Sura Asura''
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |- | 1969 || ''Baduth Ekka Horu'' || Beach layer || |- | 1972 || ''Sithijaya'' || || |- | 1976 || ''Madol Duwa'' || Upali's mother || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2019/09/12/9071/කොහේද-කොහේද-අපේ-ලොවක් | title=All about Madol Duwa | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref> |- | 1976 || ''Vanarayo'' || || |- | 1977 || ''Eya Dan Loku Lamayek'' || School trip teacher || |- | 1978 || ''Madhuwanthi'' || || |- | 1978 || ''Saara'' || || |- | 1978 || ''Anupama'' || Louie's wife || |- | 1979 || ''Samanmali'' || || |- | 1979 || ''Nuwan Renu'' || Mrs. Perera || |- | 1979 || ''Visihathara Peya'' || || |- | 1981 || ''Ridee Thella'' || || |- | 1982 || ''Yasa Isuru'' || Suraj and Suramya's aunt || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2020/08/20/18469/සුරලොව-සිට-අත-පා-ඒ-කඳුළැලි-පිසිනා |title=All about 'Yasa Isuru' |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref> |- | 1982 || ''Adhistana'' || || |- | 1982 || ''Yahalu Yeheli'' || Karunawathie || |- | 1983 || ''Sumithuro'' || Harassed woman || |- | 1983 || ''Siw Ranga Sena'' || || |- | 1983 || ''Sister Mary'' || Church servant || |- | 1984 || ''Wadula'' || Gatambi || |- | 1984 || ''Muthu Menike'' || || |- | 1984 || ''Walle Thanu Maliga'' || Cyril's mother || |- | 1984 || ''Veera Madduma Bandara'' || Second Queen || |- | 1985 || ''Yuganthaya'' || || |- | 1986 || ''Gimhane Gee Naade'' || Aunty || |- | 1986 || ''Avurudu Da'' || || |- | 1986 || ''Aadara Hasuna'' || || |- | 1987 || ''Yugayen Yugayata'' || || |- | 1987 || ''Podi Vijay'' || || |- | 1987 || ''Mangala Thegga'' || Mrs. Fernando || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features/2020/02/13/15657/දත-ගලවා-අතේ-තියා-නුඹ-නටවයි-ඒ-ළමයා-මංගල-තෑග්ග | title=All about "Mangala Thegga" | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- | 1987 || ''Viragaya'' || Gunawathie || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/features-films-local/2020/04/30/17600/සම්භාවනීය-නවකතාවක-සම්මානනීය-සිනමා-ප%E2%80%8D්%E2%80%8Dරවේශය |title=All about Viragaya |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=3 May 2020}}</ref> |- | 1990 || ''Pem Raja Dahana'' || || |- | 1991 || ''Keli Madala'' || Gunawathie || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://vodtv.vhx.tv/products/keli-madala | title=Keli Madala Sinhala Movie කෙළි මඬල | publisher=vodtv | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- | 1992 || ''Sinha Raja'' || || |- | 1992 || ''Umayangana'' || || |- | 1992 || ''Salli Thibunata Madi'' || || |- | 1993 || ''Nelum Saha Samanmali'' || || |- | 1994 || ''Pawana Ralu Viya'' || || |- | 1994 || ''Handana Kinkini'' || || |- | 1994 || ''Yuwathipathi'' || Janaraja's mother || |- | 1995 || ''Maruthaya'' || Dharme's associate's wife || |- | 1995 || ''Ayoma'' || || |- | 1996 || ''Obatai Me Aradhana'' || || |- | 1996 || ''Sihina Deshayen'' || || |- | 1996 || ''Hitha Hondanam Waradin Na'' || || |- | 1996 || ''Bawa Sasara'' || || |- | 1997 || ''Bawa Duka'' || Peduru's mother || |- | 1997 || ''Bawa Karma'' || || |- | 1998 || ''Anthima Reya'' || || |- | 1999 || ''Salupata Ahasata'' || || |- | 1999 || ''Sathyadevi'' || Aggie || |- | 2000 || ''Salupata Ahasata 2'' || || |- | 2001 || ''Jack and Jill'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://vodtv.vhx.tv/products/jack-and-jill | title=Jack and Jill Sinhala Movie| publisher=vodtv | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- | 2002 || ''Kamasuthra'' || Nelum's mother || |- | 2002 || ''Rosa Patikki'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://vodtv.vhx.tv/products/rosa-patikki-adults-only | title=Rosa Patikki Sinhala Film (Adults Only)| publisher=vodtv | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- | 2003 || ''Sonduru Dadabima'' || Kamal's mother || |- | 2003 || ''Bheeshanaye Athuru Kathawak'' || Sopina || |- | 2003 || ''Sudu Salu'' || Amara's mother || |- | 2005 || ''Samantha'' || || |- | 2005 || ''Alu Yata Gini'' || || |- | 2006 || ''Samunoganna Sugandhika'' || || |- | 2006 || ''Bherunda Pakshiya'' || || |- | 2008 || ''Rosa Diganthe'' || || |- | 2012 || ''Vijaya Kuweni'' || || |- | 2013 || ''Ira Laga Wadi'' || || |- | 2015 || ''Aathma Warusha'' || || |- | 2016 || ''Paththini'' || Villager || |- | 2017 || ''Hima Tharaka'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/06/30/features/120485/challenging-portrayals | title=Challenging portrayals | work=Daily News | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |- | 2017 || ''Sellam Nethnam Lellam'' || || |- | TBD || ''Back to School'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/04/11/4484/බැක්-ටු-ස්කූල්-චිත්%E2%80%8Dරපටයෙන්-අලුත්-අධ්%E2%80%8Dයක්ෂවරයෙක් | title=New director with Back to School | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://gossiplankalive1.blogspot.com/2012/05/chat-with-miyuri-samarasinghe.html Chat With Miyuri Samarasinghe]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Samarasinghe, Miyuri}} Category:1939 births Category:2021 deaths Category:Sri Lankan film actresses Category:20th-century Sri Lankan actresses Category:21st-century Sri Lankan actresses Category:Sri Lankan television actresses Category:Sri Lankan stage actresses