Mahendra Perera

Mahendra Shrikantha Perera (born 17 August 1956: ), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. One of the most influential actors in Sinhala cinema, Mahendra performed from drama to comedy in many blockbuster films. Personal life He was born on 17 August 1956 in Mount-Lavinia, Sri Lanka as the youngest of the family. His father Vincent Perera, was a store manager at the Browns, and his mother Soma Weerasekera, was a matron at several government hospitals. He has two older sisters, Priyanthi Damayanthi and shivanthi Kalyani. He first studied at Highland College, Nugegoda. Later he went to Maharagama Vidyakara College and Thurstan College, Colombo. He is married to Thakshila Damayanthi, daughter of Mr.Nandadasa- a decorated financial advisor. The couple has three sons, Uvin, Navin and Ishanka – all Wesleyites. The eldest son, Uvin works in the tourism industry. Naven is currently residing in Australia while the Youngest, Ishanka works as an Interior Architect. Career During his life at Thurstan, he met a friend called Kalani Perera, who later became a violinist. They both studied music under the music teacher Yogananda Wijesundera where Mahendra learned violin, water wave, tabla and xylophone. After school life, he joined a rock band in Mount Lavinia and played guitar. When his father did not succeed his intentions, Mahendra ran away from home and planted potatoes with a cousin in Haputale. During this period, he met the writer and lecturer, Upul Shantha Sannasgala. Meanwhile, the father came to Haputale brought Mahendra back to Colombo.