Suraj Mapa

Mapa Mudiyanselage Suraj Laksiri (born 2 January 1980 as සුරාජ් මාපා) [Sinhala]) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television as well as a producer, model, dancer and a choreographer. Highly versatile actor particularly active on television, Mapa is best known for the roles in television serials Olu, Sepalika and Haara Kotiya.

He was born on 2 January 1980 in Kandy as the youngest of the family with two elder sisters. His father was a businessman and mother was a housewife. He completed education from Trinity College, Kandy and did his Advance Level examination in 1999.

Then, Mapa followed a course in Hotel Management earning a Diploma in Hotel Management and worked for one year in his father's hotel – ‘Hotel Zurich Park’. He also studied at IDM and gained a Diploma in Computer Studies. While working for ‘Suntel’ as a customer care executive, he was selected as a model by famous fashion designer Lou Ching Wong and hair dresser Nayana.

His father died on 13 July 2016 and mother Dayani Mapa died 17 August 2018 by blood clot in brain. His mother's sister, Suneetha Ratnayake was a popular dancer.

Mapa started his acting career in 2002 with the television serial Mage Sanda Oba, which gained him large popularity and also selected for Upcoming Actor award in year 2002. He won the award for the Most Popular Actor in both Sumathi and Raigam Television awards in 2005 and 2006 respectively for the serial Pooja. He was also nominated as the Best Upcoming Actor in 2003. In 2005, he won the award for the most popular Sri Lankan actor in the UAE. However his turning point in career came through the serial Olu in 2010.

Mapa started his film career with a supportive role in 2004 comedy film, Clean Out directed by Roy de Silva. He also acted in Belgium film Semi Tower. He acted in the film Sikuru Hathe directed by Giriraj Kaushalya. The film became a blockbuster hit and became the highest-grossing film in 2007. The film won many awards at SIGNIS award and Sarasaviya awards.

Notable Television serials

Mapa started dancing at school age and excels in Latin American dance. He studied dancing under Neomi Rajaratnam and performed at many events both locally and internationally such as "Footwork Dance Sport 2002". In 2013 he learnt Kandyan dance traditions under Guru Kulasiri Budawatta and became a Ves Kandyan dancer in 2014.

His maiden dance show titled Elements with Surya was held at Bishop's college auditorium on 14–15 May 2010 at 7 p.m. On 27 February 2016, Mapa organized a dance show with over fifty dancers. The show was held at the Dharmaraja College Audotirium from 10.00 am and 6.30 pm.

In 2013, he contested for the reality program Derana City of Dance, The Ultimate Level telecast by TV Derana and in 2018 Hiru Mega Stars telecast by Hiru TV.

Sumathi Awards