Ruby de Mel

Acting

1917-12-04

Ruby Jasmine de Mel was a popular Sri Lankan actress. She often played bullying motherly characters. de Mel was born in Moratuwa to an anglicized Sinhala family and attended Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa and Newstead Balika, Negombo. She was an announcer for Radio Ceylon at its inception. de Mel broke into acting with a role in the theatrical play Handahana directed by T. B. Ilangaratne. This performance drew the attention of leading playwright and filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne who asked her to play a part in his film Mathabedaya to be shot in India. Under the pretense of a vacation with friends, de Mel travelled to India and made her film debut in the film under the alias Vinodha Rasanjali. She reverted to her real name after her first few films. de Mel would go on to appear in such films as Perakadoru Baana, Daiva Vipakaya, Suraya, Siriyalatha, Surasena, Kawata Andare, Nalangana, Kala Kala De Pala Pala De, Chandali, Handapana, Magul Poruwa, Bicycle Hora, Hari Maga, Penawa Neda, Ihatha Athmaya, Aparadaya Saha Danduwama, Sinawai Inawai, Bambaru Awith, Thana Giravi, Mangala Thagga, Kawuluwa and Obatai Priye Adare.