Nilmini Buwaneka


Nilmini Buwaneka is an actress, dancer and choreographer from Sri Lanka.

Dancing

She learned dancing in Bhatkhande Music Institute, where she gained a Diploma in Baratha Natyam.

Theater

Nilmini has portrayed many leading roles for the most thriving directors in the drama and theater field of Sri Lanka, and in many non-commercial stage plays such as:
  • Ayeth enne ne - Widows
  • Dasa Mallige Bangalawa
  • Death of a Salesman
  • Devadasi
  • Doll’s House
  • Don Diyego
  • Hena – Thunder
  • House of Bernada Alba
  • Julius Caesar
  • Loka
  • Makarakshaya
  • Manoramya Gee
  • Mother Courage
  • Reality Show
  • Seru
  • Sihina Dakinna
  • Thatu
  • ''Weeraya Merila''

Television acting

Nilmini has acted in a Total of 45 Television serials ranges from drama, thriller to comedy.

Selected television serials

  • Agamehesiyo
  • Agni Kankariya
  • Alu Pata Heena
  • Ambudaruwo Anne Aparna
  • Bhava Tharana
  • Bhavathu Sabba Mangalam
  • Bumuthurunu
  • Chandragrahanaya
  • Chathurya
  • Dahas Gau Dura
  • Dhadayakkaraya
  • Duli Pintharu
  • Ehi Pillamak Yata
  • Hiru Daruwo
  • Ira Awara
  • Kalpa Kumari
  • Mandakini
  • Monarathenna
  • Nama Veni Kadulla
  • Parana Tauma
  • Pura Kalani
  • Rala Bindena Thena
  • Sandakinduri
  • Sansare Piya Satahan
  • Sansara Prarthana
  • Sasara Chakra
  • Sath Piyawaru
  • Sihina Piyapath
  • Sihina Puraya
  • Sirakari
  • Sitha Nivana Katha
  • Sithumina
  • Sonduru Piyapath
  • Sneha
  • Suba
  • Suba Sihina
  • Sudheera
  • Sudui Usai
  • Sura Vimana
  • Thaksalawa
  • Udu SulangaWanabime Sirakaruwo
  • ''Wankagiriya''

Directing and Choreography

Having had the opportunity to work as an Assistant Director alongside Dharmasiri Bandaranayake a Director who marked an era of movie making in Sri Lanka, Nilmini was praised by foreign critics after seeing her own direction of a stage plays using only children with Down syndrome.

Cinema

Playing characters in both leading as well as supporting roles in several movies, her distinctiveness remains that of acting only in handpicked special creations of cinema.
YearFilmRoleRef.
1997Bawa Duka
1997Bawa Karma
2009Ekamath Eka Rateka
2009BinduSaping's wife
2014Samige KathawaSam's mother
2015Bora Diya Pokuna
2020Paangshu
2025BahuchithawadiyaSasitha's sister

Awards

In 2004 she won the State Drama Award Festival for Best Actress in a leading role followed by the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Sumathi Tele Drama Award Festival in 2008.