The Best Version Of Harsha
By Tia Goonaratna
@tiabuffy
Harsha Sirimanna, growing up in Rajagiriya, attended the Kotte St. Thomas’ College. As the only child, he was a bit stubborn, and had his heart set on two things; music and cricket. He didn’t dream of being a singer, but a drummer in a band, and he would always be found drumming on any surface that makes a sound. However, cricket is where he excelled at. He played for a club as well as his school, and was part of the first XI. He played cricket until he completed his Advanced Level exams, began his CIM studies, and then his life changed.
In 2007, while he was a member of Fitness Kingdom, run by Chandana Aluthge and Shimara, he participated in Miss Venus and Man Hunt pageant organised by Fitness Kingdom. It was won by Hemal Ranasinghe, and even though Harsha was part of the Top Ten, he had to leave the pageant due to personal reasons. In 2008, he ended up participating in Ramani Fernando’s hair show, and he met a few big names in the industry. The seed was planted in his head. Encouraged by Michael Wijesooriya, the boy who never thought of modelling or acting was now excited by the camera.
The first pageant he applied for was ITN Avurudu Kumaraya, and he was awarded second place. Motivated, and driven by a new passion, Harsha continued to model while working at a corporate office. In 2010, he was selected for Top Five at Mr Sri Lanka for Mr International, and he says that his pageant career pretty much ended there. Out of his photo shoot work, he says modelling for ODEL might be one of his favourite achievements.
Harsha was breaking into TV by now. From 2011 to 2014, he acted in Kusa Paba as King Udeni, as Anguli Mala for Pateeba (playing three different characters), and Soththisena King for another segment of Pateeba. In 2013, he joined Rupavahini as a presenter, and learnt all about a new world of presenting, and even guest presented in TV1 in 2016.
2015 brought Harsha a whole new world; stage dramas. He played the role of Jesus for ‘Rajya Natya Ulela’, and the play was cast as one of the finalists. ‘To play this role, I knew how important it was. Jesus is not something a mere mortal should play. So I changed my life for this role. I stopped going out, drinking, eating bad food, and overall, I changed my personality. I didn’t think it was right that if I acted in any disrespectful and played this character. I realised that I have to make a lot of sacrifices, and give my character the respect it deserves. We had a big team, over 60 in cast members. The whole production paid attention to detail. It’s a great achievement for our whole cast, and I’m proud to be a part of it.’
In 2015, Harsha was involved in two of four short dramas in the Sinhala Workshop Players run by Jerome De Silva, which opened up doors for him. He acted as Jesus opposite Sugath Samarakoon’s Judas, and his first tele drama, ‘Nisala Sanda’ aired in 2017. Harsha has also been involved in TV commercials such as for Bank of Ceylon, Revello, Mobitel, and SLT Peo TV, among others.
Something we always ask the models in Sri Lanka is what they do to maintain their fitness levels. With Harsha, he says that as an actor he cannot be ‘muscly’ and stiff. ‘I don’t know what I would have to do. Sometimes to crawl on stage, jump, and do all kinds of things. So mostly, I do cardio, and I maintain my diet.’
Harsha has been married for one year, and is thankful that he has a wife who supports his passion. ‘I met her one night. She was waiting for her friends, I was with mine, and it didn’t take too long to realise we are meant for each other.’
He also takes this moment to thank his parents who have always been supportive, and is proud when they see his work. Brian Kerkoven, for creating everything Harsha Sirimanna is today. Senaka De Silva who taught him all kinds of tricks on the ramp, Lou Ching Wong, Michael Wijesooriya, his work place for allowing him the space to follow his passion, and to Hansa Dabare, who first suggested that Harsha should get into modelling.
Harsha has also being involved in a few music videos, and he has a few more movies, and videos coming in the near future. ‘I would like to do more films. It’s not that I don’t have opportunities, but I want something unique that will challenge me. I enjoy the sacrifice that comes with acting. I like working hard, and that’s something I’m looking for.’
