Nihal Fernando
Nihal Fernando was a Sri Lankan actor in cinema, television and theatre. Apart from acting, he also appeared as a teledrama director, teledrama scriptwriter, stage playwright, theatre director and filmmaker in a career spanning over four decades.
Personal life
Nihal Fernando was born on 29 July 1954 in Colombo. He completed his education at Lumbini College, Colombo.He was married to his longtime partner Tamara and the couple had one son, Sahan Athma, and one daughter.
Career
Fernando made his theatre acting debut in 1974, in the stage play Suba and Yasa produced by Simon Navagattegama. He subsequently acted in many stage plays produced by Navagattegama such as Stree, Sudu Saha Kaḷu and Paṇḍukābhaya. He made appearances in many other stage plays such as Ranjith Dharmakirthi's plays Angārā Ganga Galā Basī, Mōdara Mōla, Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's plays Ekā Adhipathi, Makarākṣayā, Gunasena Galappatty's Moodu Puththu, Bandula Vithanage's Senehebara Dolly and R. R. Samarakoon's plays Dūvili and Kælaṇi Pālama. He continued to act in the play Suba Saha Yasa for forty years until 2015.Fernando continued to dominate theatre for nearly two decades, and later went on to produce stage plays. His first stage drama directing came through the play Thurangā. Afterwards, he made his debut as a teledrama director with the serial Thawath Ek Geheniyak. His other dramatic teledrama directions include Udugam Bala, Neranjana, Boradiya Kandura, Vansakkarayo, Eka Kusa Upun Eun, Ambarawak, Antassarayo and Kulaththiyo. He also directed single episode teleplays such as Abhaya Dakṣiṇāva, Mangala Dækma, Piṭastharayō, Sihina Hathak Mæda and Visithun Veni Hōrāva. Many of Fernando's teledramas engaged with experimental directing decisions and explorations. He created about 18 tele-productions and many short dramas.
As an actor, Fernando first appeared in the teledrama Leli, directed by Tissa Abeysekara. He susbequently played leading roles in many television serials such as Kaḍavara, Anthassarayō, Nēranjanā, and Theth Saha Viyaḷi. His performance in Kadawara directed by Bertram Nihal became a highlight in Fernando's career, where he was nominated for Best Actor in many local award ceremonies. In 2005, he won Best Teledrama Supporting Actor Award for his role in Theth Saha Viyali at the Sumathi Awards. He also acted in many single episode teleplays including Agni Jaala and Rupantharaya. In 2013, he directed and wrote the script for teleserial Makulu Del.
Fernando made his film directing debut with the film Amaanthaya. The film became won four awards at the 25th Sarasaviya Awards in 1998, including Best Song, Best Editing, Best Acting, and Best Screenplay. Fernando won the Best Performance Award for his role in the film as well, and sang background vocals for the song "Tharuka Niwa". Other than filmmaking, he acted in the films Virāgaya, Bawatharaṇa, Umayanganā, Sudu Sevaṇæli, Alōkō Udapādi and Kalpanthe Sihinayak. His roles as "CID officer" in Channa Perera's 2014 film Kalpanthe Sihinayak and "Pulahatta" in Chathra Weeraman and Baratha Hettiarachchi's 2017 epic film Alōkō Udapādi gained large popularity.
Apart from acting and direction, Fernando also worked as a drama teacher in his own acting school.
Selected stage dramas
- Angārā Ganga Galā Basī
- Dūvili
- Ekā Adhipathi
- Kælaṇi Pālama
- Makarākṣayā
- Mōdara Mōla
- Moodu Puththu
- Paṇḍukābhaya
- Senehebara Dolly
- Suba and Yasa
- Sudu Saha Kaḷu
- Stree
- ''Thurangā''
Selected television serials
- Aga Pipi Mal
- Ambarawak
- Anthassarayo
- Boradiya Kandura
- Dekona Gini
- Diya Suliya
- Eka Kusa Upun Eun
- Gauthami
- Girikula
- Hendewak
- Kaḍavara
- Kulaththiyo
- Leli
- Makulu Del
- Neranjana
- Pawena Yakada
- Pinna Hari Sarai
- Ralla Weralata Adarei
- Ranthaliya Walawwa
- Shaun
- Tharu Keta Ahurak
- Thawath Ek Geheniyak
- Theth Saha Viyaḷi
- Udugam Bala
- Vansakkarayo
- ''Veedi Pahan''
Health issues and death
In 2015, the United Artistes Society organized a fund raising stage drama festival to collect funds for Fernando's surgery. Three stage plays Fernando acted were staged through 15–17 October in the Mahanama College Hall: Kelani Palama on the 15th, Suba saha Yasa on the 16th, and Makarakshaya on the 17th. Actors Sando Harris and Sriyantha Mendis performed their stage plays and provided Fernando with financial support for his surgeries.
Fernando died on 4 December 2025 at the age of 71 while receiving treatment at a private hospital. His remains were kept at The Last Honour funeral parlor in Rajagiriya from 7:00 pm for public rites. The cremation took place on 5 December 2025 at 5:30pm at the Kanatte Cemetery.