Shalani Tharaka

Gonakumbura Pangukarage Shalan known as Shalani Tharaka, is a Sri Lankan actress, model and dancer. She holds the title for the Sri Lankan beauty pageant Sirasa Kumariya which she won in 2007. She has played leading roles in many Sri Lankan teledramas, commercials and music videos.

Shalani was born in Balangoda to her mother, Suraji Fernando, a professional beautician, and her father, Susantha Wijayabandara, a well-known businessman. She had her primary education at the St. Agnes Convent in Balangoda. Throughout her childhood, Shalani has displayed characteristics of a talented personality. After primary school, she moved to her mother's hometown of Negombo, where she obtained her secondary education at Newstead Girls College, which was an opportunity for her to develop her dance skills in western and kandyan dance styles.

In 2007, when she was 17 years old, she won the "Sirasa Kumariya" beauty pageant organized by Sirasa TV, which took her to mainstream fame. The first step in her acting career was her appearance in the drama "Poojasanaya" by Sherly P. Delankawala, her talents led her further in the field to many more teledramas such as "Isuru Bawana," "Hansi," "Samanalee," "Api Api Wage" (I & II), "Ganga Addara" and "Sanda Sanda Wage," which became popular among all her fans. Including teledramas, she has also contributed to TV advertisements for Hero Honda, Raino and Janet. She also played parts in music videos such as Prihans Oya dese, mata oya D n S, Wasthuwe shafee ft Delon.

In 2012 she played the role of Medhavi in the movie "Selvam." She took part in the second season of Sirasa TV's dance reality television show, Sirasa Dancing Stars.