Chamalsha Nethmini Sooriyarachchi is a nine-year-old girl from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. She attends JMC International School and has a passion for acting, dancing, and drawing. She has acted in six teledramas and dreams of becoming an art teacher. She loves to draw nature and people and enjoys reading storybooks, particularly horror stories.  

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Chamalsha Nethmini Sooriyarachchi, and I am currently in Grade five. I attend JMC International School in Ratnapura, where I also reside. In my family, I have two elder sisters, one younger brother, parents, and a grandmother. Apart from acting, I enjoy dancing and drawing as well. My hobbies include reading books and practising my drawing skills. I am nine years old now and I am excited to continue exploring my talents.

Can you tell us about your experience and accomplishments in acting?

I’ve been interested in acting since I was in nursery school, and I got my first opportunity to act in a drama called ‘Kali Yuga Kale,’ where I played the character of Kekuli. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to play various roles in several other teledramas. In Mahesh Karunaratne’s ‘Neluni,’ I played Okandi, and in Suresh Kumara’s ‘Laksheta Kodi,’ I played Amaya. Most recently, I played the roles of Singithi and Wasuda in the teledrama ‘Thimira Ira,’ which was telecasted on TNL last week. Additionally, I had the chance to act in a YouTube series called ‘Wipaka’. Overall, I have acted in six teledramas so far, and I am excited to continue pursuing my passion for acting.

Who is your favourite character from all of these?

It was Amaya in ‘Laksheta Kodi’. 

Are there any specific characters that you would like to play in the future?

Yes, in the future, I would love to play the character of a girl who lives with her parents in a beautiful village, where they are very happy. I think it would be an interesting challenge to play a character who lives in a different environment than I am used to.

What is your favourite style of dancing?

I have a strong interest in dancing, particularly hip-hop. Over the years, I have had several teachers, but now I mostly practise on my own.

What is your ambition?

I have a dream of becoming a teacher who teaches art to children. I love to draw and create different things, and I think it would be wonderful to share my passion with others and help them learn how to make their own art.

Can you tell us about your drawing experience and interests?

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember, and I like to experiment with different techniques and styles. Although I haven’t participated in many competitions, I did win second place once at dhamma school. My favourite things to draw are nature and people. I also love to watch tutorials on YouTube to learn new drawing techniques and to challenge myself to improve my skills. Drawing is one of my favourite hobbies.

Could you tell us about your experience at dhamma school?

I attend Sri Sudarshana Dhamma School in Kahangama, Ratnapura, where I learn about the life of Buddha, good habits, and proper behaviour. Additionally, we sometimes learn about historical events as well. We are taught how to live a good life by following Buddha’s teachings, which highlight compassion, kindness, and non-violence.

What books do you like to read?

I mostly enjoy reading storybooks, and lately, I’ve been particularly interested in horror stories. Even though they can be scary, I find them very exciting, and they keep me up late into the night.

Can you tell us about your special friend who has encouraged you to act?

I have a wonderful friend named Pahandi Nethara Walpita, who has been a great inspiration to me. She is the reason I got interested in acting, and I admire her a lot. I always wish her well and support her in everything she does. She is very talented, and I really like the character she plays in a TV drama called ‘Akshi’. I feel very lucky to have such a special friend who encourages me to pursue my passions and makes my life brighter.

Is there anyone you wish to thank for supporting you?

Mainly my mother and my father. My friend Pahandi. Also, Suresh Kumara sir, Lal Devaratne sir, and Mahesh Karunaratne sir for the opportunities they’ve given me.