Eththiligoda Vidana Gamage Pubudu Chathuranga, popularly as Pubudu Chathuranga (born 12 November 1982 in Galle), is an award-winningSri Lankan actor, model and screenplay writer. He has been nominated for best actors awards twice, and won the Best Actor (2012) in The Derana Lux Film awards for his performance in the movie Challenges in 2011. Chathuranga has also been awarded Sarasaviya Awards and SIGNIS Awards several times.
EARLY LIFE & FAMILY
Pubudu was born in Kithulampitiya, Galle. His mother, Lalitha Indrani Weththasinghe, is a housewife born in Colombo who moved to Galle after marrying his father, E.V.G Somasiri, in the 1970s. He has one sister, Dushanthi Thamodini. His surname, Pubudu, came from his father's personal name, given to him by his grandfather. The name Pubudu means "blossoming of wisdom", and Chathuranga stands for any four noble things.
SCHOOL & EDUCATION
Pubudu attended Richmond College in Galle, which his father had also attended.[citation needed] His school drama performances started in grade 1, where he acted in a comedic street play, "Mahadana Muththa".[citation needed] Afterwards he appeared in fourteen other stage dramas at the school, including ten English plays, for example Julius Caesar. He organised his own theater group when he was in grade 12 and carried out his own theatrical productions, such as Miriguwa (Eyes Wide Shut) and Histhanak.[citation needed] He was selected to receive higher education as a candidate for a Higher National Diploma in Engineering (HNDE)[citation needed], and he moved to Colombo. However, he became more involved in the arts than maths.
TELEVISION CAREER
Pubudu started his career by appearing on stage in Trojan Women by Dharmasiri Bandaranayake.[citation needed] He then moved to television with a teledrama of Prof. Ariyarathna Athugala, named Samanala Kandawura.[citation needed] Pubudu became popular, landing recurring roles in TV series such as the soap opera Sara (2006).[3] Chathuranga won best actor award at Raigam Tele'es for his role in One Way.
He also appeared as a TV presenter, with successful musical chats such as Sikurada Rae (Derana TV) and Copy Chat (Hiru TV). He also hosted Hiru Golden Film Awards in two occasions with Mahendra Perera in two times.
