Kalakaruwo: Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe

Few would argue that Geetha Kumarasinghe is “The Crowning Jewel of Sri Lankan Cinema.” Geetha Kumarasinghe is one of Sri Lanka’s leading actresses who has consistently brought recognition and glory to the country over three decades. The winner of four Presidential Awards, the highest honors bestowed in the cinema industry of Sri Lanka, with over 80 films to her credit, including her pivotal performances in several foreign films, and numerous heart-wrenching roles that have made her one of the leading figures in Sri Lankan cinema.

As an actress Geetha Kumarasinghe manages to relate to the quintessential essence of Sri Lanka women in virtually every role that she performs. Perhaps Geetha Kumarasinghe’s greatest achievement has been her uncanny ability to portray roles that capture the feelings, aspirations, and struggles experienced by Sri Lankan women in all walks of life, whether it be at the village, urban, or cosmopolitan levels. This is exemplified in her recent performance of the film Ran Diya Dahara, depicting a typical Sri Lankan woman straining under economic, social and domestic constraints. Her performance in Palama Yata (Under the Bridge) where she plays the role of a woman in the slums earned raving reviews both in Sri Lanka and overseas.

Geetha Kumarasinghe’s glory to fame is a story of cultural resistance, nuanced with self-determination to succeed. She is an inspiration for Sri Lankan women today, motivating them to believe that anything is possible if one is determined to succeed. Her progressive and forward thinking outlook are shaping the contemporary film industry of Sri Lanka.

Despite the awards and glory bestowed on her over the decades, Geetha Kumarasinghe humbly insists “My best acting is yet to come.”

April 18th 1953 an unforgettable day for the villagers of Benthara Haburugala. Wijayapala, a lad who had captured the hearts of the villagers was getting married to Siriwardena Arachchilage Udulawathi the daughter of Kothmala Wataaddara Appuhami (well known as Bandara Mahaththaya among the villagers). Two years passed by and then on 5th of July a beautiful princess was born. They named their precious bundle of joy Geetha Samanmalee. Geetha was born in Badulla, but grew up in Bentara, Alpitiya. Geetha had her education at Sangimitta Girls School Hamburugala & Holy Family Convent Kalutara.

As a child she showed an inborn talent for singing and dancing. She was merely 16, when she was crowned the “Beauty Queen” out of 100 contestants. The contest was organized by “Dawasa” Newspaper.

Entering a beauty contest was not an easy task for Geetha. Her father Wijaya Kumarasinghe a journalist and sub editor of the “Sinhala Bauddaya” was a strict disciplinarian. He refused to allow his daughter to compete in any beauty pageant.

Geetha’s Mother Udula a kind hearted Kandiyan lady from Kotmale, was more sympathetic since her only concern was to help her favourite elder daughter. Finally it took all persuasive powers of Amita Abeysekera the well known journalist to get Wijaya Kumarasinghe to turn a blind eye on Geetha’s adventure.

The result of the contest was a foregone conclusion – Geetha won hands down. But the girl was such a stunning beauty that one of the judges- Ronald Fernando as well as Amita Abeysekera both close friends of Gamini Fonseka told him that a film natural had been selected the beauty queen of Bentota.

Though Geetha’s father would not allow her to go to the movies her Aunt Mrs Aruna Wickramapala was a friend of Dr. Lester James Peiris. It was Mrs. Wickramapala’s mansion that Dr. Lester James Peiris used the location for Ransalu. Little Geetha who spent her school vacations in her aunt’s house in Kollupitiya would gleefully imitate Punya Heendeniya and collect slides of the film which she preserved secretly between the covers of her school books