Multi talented Mahinda
Mahinda Karunaratna is a versatile actor, writer, artist and sculptor. His journey from a remote village in the Kurunegala District to the city from where he went onto make a name both as an author as well as a stage and television actor has been an arduous one. Having made a name after writing several books and acting in several stage and television production with his role as “Dayasiri in the popular TV serial “And Company” , Mahinda is once again faced with new forms of adversity.
The other dramas he’s acted in include Agni Wasanthaya and Maranayata Erehiwa Tholduwak (A noose against death).He has also held several art exhibitions and is also a talented sculptor artist. Mahinda’s problems began about two years ago when he and a friend were attacked by a gang of thugs and was left with a permanent back problem. Since then he has been entangled in a legal battle to win compensation from some of the suspects who were arrested in connection with setbacks but with long delays in the process has not made such headway in this connection. Also the reason why they came under attack remains a mystery and the suspects have claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.
“I have been unable to take part in acting like before due to my health issues after the attack on me and hence financially also I am faced with several problems, “Mahinda said. Mahinda hails from the village of Meegalewa , and even though he grew up in a life of poverty, did well enough in studies to enter the University of Colombo and get Sinhala Special degree. From there on he went onto write several novels which were published by the National Library and Documentation Services Centre.
“There are many of my works for which I am yet to find a publisher. I have also written several screen plays and I want to have them published as well,” Mahinda says. Like many artists in Sri Lanka, Mahinda says, life is an uphill task for him. There are days when I get very depressed but I am hoping my fortunes change,” he said. More details about Mahinda can be obtained on http://www.mahinda.tk. (CK)