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Rebeka Nirmali (born 27 November 1964 – died 13 August 2014 as රෙබෙකා නිර්මලී) [Sinhala]), also as Rebecca Nirmali, was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Highly versatile actress with a career spanned for more than 25 years, Nirmali is best known for the role in television serial Veda Hamine.
She died on 29 August 2014 while receiving treatments at Maharagama Cancer Hospital at the age of 49.
Personal life
Nirmali was born on 27 November 1964 in Anuradhapura. She completed education from Nivanthaka Chethiya Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura. She has one daughter - Anne Niroshani, was born on 1987.
Career
She moved to Colombo and started drama career through the stage plays Lokaya Suddai and Sudu Samanalayo in 1987. Then she acted in popular plays Uthure Rahula and Amal Biso as leading actress. Her turning point in acting career came through the 1990 blockbuster television serial Veda Hamine directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri. Then he acted in more than 150 teledramas across many genre.
She started film career with 2003 comedy film Aladinge Weldin directed by Upali Piyaratne. Then she acted in supportive roles in films Ira Sewaya, Uththara and Samanala Sandhawaniya. She also worked in Indian production 'Kangalil Kaithi Seithen directed by Bharathi Raja. Her last appearance in cinema came through Wimal Alahakoon's movie Maw Senehasa.
Notable theater works
- Lokaya Suddai
- Sudu Samanalayo
- Uthure Rahula
- Amal Biso'
Notable television works
- Aaratie
- Adara Sandawaniya
- Adarawanthayo
- Adariye
- Akala Sandya
- Ananthaya
- Anavaratha
- Angana
- Angani
- Anne
- Aparna
- Bath Amma
- Bhavathra
- Dandubasnamanaya
- Dangamalla
- Diya Sayam
- Diya Sithuvam
- E brain
- Gini Weluma
- Himagira Naga
- Indikadolla
- Jeewithaya Sundarai
- Kadulu Thahanchiya
- Kapa Nasna Samaya
- Katu Kurullo
- Kedella Neha Unusum
- Kethumathi Neyo
- Kinduru Adaviya
- Mage Kaviya Mata Denna
- Mage Sanda Oba
- Magi
- Maya Agni
- Minipura Hatana
- Monarathenna
- Naana Kamare
- Nagenahira Weralina Asena
- Nisala Diya Sasala Viya
- Paasku
- Pata Veeduru
- Pingala Danawwa
- Piniwessa
- Piyavi
- Ranthaliya Walawwa
- Samanala Sihinaya
- Saranganaa
- Satharadenek Senpathiyo
- Sekku Gedara
- Sihina Kumari
- Sihina Sithuwam
- Situ Medura
- Snehaye Daasi
- Sohayuro
- Somapura Weerayo
- Veda Hamine
- Wanabime Sirakaruwo
- Wara Peraliya
- Wasana Wewa
- Wassana Sihinaya
- Wediya Rella
Awards and Accolades
Raigam Tele'es
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Raigam Tele'es Merit Award | Won |
OCIC Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Nagenahira Weralina Asena | Best Actress | Nominated |
State Drama Festival
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Nagenahira Weralina Asena | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
Death
She suffered from cervical cancer since 2007 where the symptoms had come to light in a very short period of time. She was hospitalized in May 2014 and continued treatments for three months. According to Deputy Director of Cancer Hospital, Dr. Wasantha Dissanayaka, when radiotherapy was unsuccessful, Nirmali received chemotherapy treatment.
However, she died on 13 August 2014 while receiving treatments at Maharagama Cancer Hospital. Her remaining were kept in a private funeral house in Borella which was then moved to Kala Bhawana on Thursday for final rites. The funeral was took place on Thursday evening at the Borella General Cemetery.
On 18 August 2014, an alms-giving was performed at Amarawathi Buddhist Temple in London.