Marrying in a hurry? - Dusheni's story

An Interview with Actress Dusheni: On Sudden Marriage, Finding the Right Partner, and Balancing Stardom

Interviewer: Are you getting married suddenly? 

Dusheni: No, I don't think so. I believe that when you finally meet the right person in life, you just feel that you can settle down and lead a very peaceful life. Once everything in your career and professional life reaches a certain level of stability, taking the step into marriage and sharing your future with a good partner is a wonderful thing and a true blessing.

Interviewer: You are tying the knot today with popular actor Chaturanga Kodithuwakku. How did this encounter happen?

Dusheni: We actually haven't known each other for a very long time. But within that period, I realized that he understands me, and I understand him. We met on the set of the teledrama Jahuta, which became an incredibly popular show. The most special thing between us is our mutual understanding. I didn't completely understand him at first—you know how I can be sometimes! But I think he made the effort to understand me, and I too handled things with a lot of maturity. That’s how we connected.

He is a very peaceful, unhurried person. I was drawn to those qualities—his tranquility and calmness. Since we are choosing to spend a lifetime together, our nervous systems need to feel at peace when we are with our partner. I saw that calming presence in him. I don't know exactly what he admired about me, but with that mutual affection, we made this decision.

He is very patient. He does get angry sometimes, but generally, he is extremely patient. Right now, there isn't even much I need to be patient about. We’ve received advice from everywhere, but what I’ve realized is that life needs balance. When two people live together, if one gets angry—because we are human after all—the other person needs to stay calm. I might not know everything at my young age, but that is what I’ve understood recently. I believe we will balance our life together just like that.

Interviewer: You seem to have changed a lot. The Dusheni who used to get angry quickly has changed now?

Dusheni: I really feel that way. I think it’s something that naturally happens to anyone as they age and mature. I feel that I have become very calm and my life is very peaceful now. It gives me a great sense of freedom, lightness, and happiness. Five or six years ago, I was younger, and my mindset and behavior were different. It's just like what our parents used to tell us—that we would understand things as we get older. I think that is absolutely true.



Interviewer: Do you feel you receive the same love, protection, and closeness from him that you received from your beloved father?

Dusheni: I believe so. We are starting a new life. The strongest bond in my life was—and still is—with my father. Even today, sometimes I call my dad to say I’ve reached home before I even call Chaturanga. The bond between a father and a daughter lasts a lifetime, and I don’t think anyone else can replace that.

However, as a woman, we need a similar kind of love and protection. Even though I am a very independent woman who does everything on her own, there are times in life when you need a man’s care and protection. I received that from my father, and I feel I am receiving it from Chaturanga right now. We are just starting our life together, so I believe I will continue to receive it in the future.

Interviewer: Tell us about the wedding the country is watching today and how it was planned.

Dusheni: I really must mention Nalinda Bulathsinhala. He planned both events. Honestly, I initially wanted to do it all in one day because I prefer to keep things simple. But Nalinda wanted to split it into two events, especially since our guest list was quite large.

So, we organized a traditional Poruwa ceremony. Wearing a Kandyan saree was always a dream of mine—I think it's a childhood dream for any Sri Lankan girl to imagine how she would look as a Kandyan bride. Then, our second event will be a Western-style celebration. Most of the credit goes to Nalinda. Both Chaturanga and I are extremely busy, and Chaturanga gets quite exhausted with his schedule. Nalinda was a massive help to us.

For my styling, I am being dressed by Dhananjaya Bandara today. For the second day, makeup will be by Mihiri from Paradise Embassy, Dhanushka Channa, and Nayoma. Shoes are by Walk to Glow. The floral arrangements and bouquets were all handled by Nalinda. Photography and videography for the first day are by Mahesh Bansal, and Lakmal Sinharage will cover the second day. Those are the names I can recall right now; I apologize to anyone I missed!

Interviewer: You are currently one of the leading actresses in Sri Lanka, and Chaturanga is one of the top rising actors. How does this combination work?

Dusheni: He never tries to grab my limelight, and I never try to steal his. Everyone has their own time to shine, and we both respect that. Another major reason I chose him is the immense support I feel from him. For a woman working in this industry, facing obstacles from a partner is a common challenge. That is where mutual understanding becomes crucial.

When parents raise a daughter for years and help her chase her dreams, they don't marry her off just so she can drop everything and stay at home. I’m not saying family life shouldn't be a priority—we must balance it. But for a woman to balance it successfully, a supportive partner is essential. If he understands us and allows us to shine, our life becomes successful. Otherwise, all the light our parents nurtured in us dims and falls apart. At the end of the day, wives do listen to their husbands. Chaturanga does his job beautifully and quietly, and he gives me the space to do mine. It is truly a blessing to have a partner like him.

Interviewer: Now you will be living under one roof. How have you planned that?

Dusheni: We did plan for it. We had our two separate worlds, and now we’ve prepared a single home together. However, I haven't moved into that house yet. We are waiting until all the wedding ceremonies are over. My mother insisted that we enter the home following proper traditions. I want to start our little world beautifully. We will boil milk traditionally, and I will step into that house as his wife, with him as the head of the household.

Interviewer: You both are getting married while at the absolute peak of your popularity. Some people advise against that?



Dusheni: That’s primarily a challenge for women. As I mentioned, it all comes down to the support you get from your partner so both can continue their work.

Regarding my fan base, my fans have always loved my artistic work more than my personal life. That’s something I cultivated from the beginning by keeping my personal life mostly off social media. People fell in love with the characters I played. Because of that, I am confident they will continue to love my future work. I think it’s the same for him. We are confident in ourselves.

We have to take the next step in our personal lives, which is why we made this decision. It was a bit sudden—when I called my designer Dhananjaya Bandara to give him the date, he was in shock because it was so soon! We thought, yes, we are at our peak, but sometimes when two people come together, their "brand" becomes even more powerful. There are examples of that in Sri Lanka, so we decided to embrace the challenge.

Interviewer: Will Chaturanga only be allowed to act in romantic scenes with you from now on?

Dusheni: No, not at all. I give him the absolute freedom to do whatever is required, provided he knows his limits. He knows that honesty is the most important thing to me. Acting is our profession. If he does his job and comes home to me, I have absolutely no problem with it. If there is dishonesty, that’s a different issue. But I know he is a very honest man. Protecting our family isn't something disrupted by a job or a third party; it depends entirely on what exists between the two of us. He has full freedom to carry out his professional work.

Interviewer: You hail from Kurunegala. What was your childhood like?



Dusheni: I was born in Matara, which is my parents' hometown, but I was raised in Kurunegala. I went to Wayamba Royal College, where I spent 13 years. I had an incredibly beautiful, carefree childhood with my younger brother. I honestly wish I could give my future children a childhood like that, though I wonder if it’s possible with the busy lifestyle and industry demands in Colombo today. My parents gave me a beautiful, responsibility-free childhood.

Even today, if I work for a month, I need to go home for a week or two to relax. Stepping away from this busy life and going back to my hometown gives me a sense of deep relaxation. That’s where I truly feel like myself. I think anyone feels that way when they return to the place they grew up.

My school taught in both Sinhala and English mediums. I studied in Sinhala up to grade 5, and then shifted to English. I also did CIMA (Accountancy) in English. Because of that, I might occasionally struggle with highly technical Sinhala terms, but my foundation in the Sinhala language is very strong because my parents are well-educated in it.

Interviewer: What are your final thoughts on this new life change?

Dusheni: Our lives as public figures are like open books. People have seen my ups and downs, my family life, and my career. My biggest blessing and joy is that the people who stood by me during my lowest points are still here when I rise. To everyone who loves me, I think you can share in my happiness today. We are taking a new step in life, and while we don't know exactly where life will take us, I truly and genuinely love all the fans who have been with me for so long. I hope you will continue to share this journey with me.

Interviewer: We wish you all the best. You are a dear friend who has been very close to my heart. Wishing you a beautiful life ahead.

Dusheni: Thank you very much.

Wedding Video ›