Dulaknee Mereena Perera and Punethnee Mareena Perera are two talented young girls who are loved by the audience for their acting skills.
Dulaknee is 14 years old and studies in grade nine at Holy Cross College in Gampaha. She enjoys reading books and getting lost in exciting stories.
Punethnee, who is 11 years old and in grade six, also attends Holy Cross College. Besides reading, she has a passion for drawing, dancing, and music. She plays the violin and piano and enjoys expressing herself through these instruments.
Both girls bring their unique talents and enthusiasm to their acting, captivating the audience with their performances. This sister duo gained popularity among the Sinhala teledrama audience through their roles in ‘Googly’.
Can you introduce yourselves to us?
Dulaknee: My name is Dulaknee Mereena Perera, and I am a 14-year-old student currently studying in grade nine at Holy Cross College in Gampaha. One of my favourite hobbies is reading books. I find immense joy and fulfilment in diving into different worlds, exploring new ideas, and getting lost in the pages of captivating stories. When it comes to actors, my favourite is Randika Gunathilaka. As for actresses, Shalini Tharika is my favourite.
Punethnee: My name is Punethnee Mareena Perera, and I am an 11-year-old student at Holy Cross College in Gampaha. Currently, I am in grade six. Reading books is one of my favourite hobbies. In addition to reading, I have a passion for drawing, dancing, and music. Whenever I have free time, I enjoy expressing my creativity through artwork and practising dance moves. I am also studying oriental music at school, focusing on the violin and piano. I attend private classes taught by Sithari Vithanage, where I can further enhance my musical skills.
How did you start acting?
D:
I started acting when I was 12 years old. My first play was called ‘Googly,’ and it was directed by Menaka Rajapaksha. It was a lot of fun and it introduced me to the world of theatre. Later on, I got invited by my uncle Lasantha to act in a play called ‘Chandi Kumarihami,’ which was directed by Charith Abesinghe. It was an exciting experience, and I learned a lot from the talented director. I also got to be part of another play called ‘Akurata Yana Welawe,’ which was created by Sudath Devapriya. Acting is something I really enjoy, and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to perform on stage.
P:
Just like my akka, I also got to be in these dramas. I went with her to the auditions, but when they saw me and saw that I could act, they chose me too. It was a nice surprise and I was happy to get the chance to show my talent alongside my sister.
What’s your favourite character out of all you’ve played so far?
D:
My favourite character is Panchi from the teledrama ‘Googly’. Panchi is the only girl in a group of children and she is mischievous and playful. I think she holds a special place in my heart because it was my first teledrama, and I loved portraying the character of Panchi.
P:
In the same drama, my favourite character is Pahasi. Pahasi is an innocent child who lives with her mom and uncle. It was a sad character because the character faced a lot of troubles. I really put my heart and soul into portraying that character, giving it my best effort and putting in 100 percent. It was a challenging role, but I felt a strong connection to Pahasi and wanted to do justice to her story.
Do you participate in any extracurricular activities?
D:
Yes, I participate in extracurricular activities. I am a member of the school dancing team, and I have been selected to be a part of the all-island dancing group. I also play the trumpet in the Holy Cross western senior band. I enjoy both dancing and playing music. Additionally, I am hoping to study dancing for my Ordinary Level exams.
P:
I am going to participate in a dancing competition at the all-island level. Currently, I am attending training sessions for that. Besides dancing, I am also a singer. I am a C-grade singer at SLBC (Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation). However, during the grading at SLBC, the orchestra was not familiar with the song I had planned to sing. So, I had to sing something that they knew instead.
What is your ambition?
D:
My ambition is to pursue further education and continue striving to become an actor. Acting is something I am passionate about, and I want to explore opportunities to develop my skills and pursue it as a profession.
P:
I want to become a music teacher. I have a strong passion for teaching and sharing my love for music with others. However, I also have an interest in acting. I have received positive feedback for my performances. I am considering studying acting professionally to enhance my abilities in that field.
How does it feel to work alongside your sister?
D:
Working with my sister feels just like being at home. We have a strong understanding and bond, which helps us work together effectively. Our familiarity and shared experiences contribute to seamless collaboration.
P:
I learn a lot from my sister and it’s a great pleasure to work together with her.
Anything else you want to add?
D:
I want to thank our parents, uncle Menaka Rajapaksha, friends who informed me about auditions, uncle Janaka Thambarawila, coaches Kasun Tharinda and Sudath Devapriya, Chandi aunty and Lasantha uncle for all the support. They have all played important roles in supporting and guiding me in my pursuits. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in my journey. We also want to thank the school and teachers for the support they give.
P:
The audience first got to know us through the TV drama Googly’. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to the drama team, including uncle Menaka Rajapaksha and uncle Janaka Sampath Tambaravila, for their contributions and support.