Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalani Tharaka Wijayabandara the well known actress, model and dancer who would be recognized easily as Shalani Tharaka was born in Balangoda on 15th of november 1990. Her father who is a businessman in profession is Susantha Wijayabandara by name while her mother is Suraji Fernando a beautician.She had her primary education at St. Agnes Convent, Balangoda. Ever since Shalani was a child she started indicating features of a talented personality and of course by now she has proven it true. After the primary education she moved to her mother’s hometown Negombo and had her higher education there onwards at Newstead Girls College which was an opportunity to brighten up her dancing skills in both western and Kandian styles.
The turning point of her life or the start of her celebrity life began with the pagent ‘Sirasa Kumariya’. Her first step in the industry was kept in the drama Poojasanaya by Mr.Sherly P. delankawala, and her talents take her further in the field to Isuru bawana, Hansi,Samanalee, Api Api Wage I & II teledramas which became popular among all her fans. Ganga Addara n Sanda Sanda wage also being contributed by Shalani’s roles.
Apart from teledramas she also has contributed in the TV commercials Hero Honda, Raino, Janet. Shalani going ahead in her career did not stop there; she also contributed in music videos Prihans Oya dese, mata oya D n S, Wasthuwe shafee ft Delon.
