Mudalige Don Buddika Lahiru, commonly known as Lahiru Mudalige (born April 5, 1983), is a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan media landscape. Renowned for his versatility, Mudalige has made significant contributions as a television journalist, media manager, producer, social media influencer, music video director, and actor. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has become a beloved television presenter, particularly known for hosting popular musical programs and chat shows.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Lahiru Mudalige was the eldest child in his family. He completed his early education at Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Kandy, before moving to D.S. Senanayake College in Colombo for his advanced studies. His formative years saw the beginning of his media journey, participating in various school media activities and training at local radio stations like Kandurata Radio Service and Lakhanda Shilpa Yathra.
Personal Life
Mudalige married Sanduni de Silva, a software engineer, on October 29, 2017. The couple has been supportive of each other’s careers, with Sanduni often collaborating in Lahiru’s ventures.
Career Milestones
Radio Beginnings: Lahiru’s media career started at a young age. At seven, he joined Kandurata Radio Service, and by his teenage years, he was already a presenter for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation’s Lama Pitiya program.
Television Breakthrough: His big break came in 2003 when he joined Swarnavahini, a major Sri Lankan television network. Under the mentorship of senior journalist Hema Nalin Karunaratne, Mudalige became a presenter for the program Kala Eli Madala. His charisma and talent shone through in the musical show Handa Radi Peya, which he hosted for over a decade, bringing innovative concepts like daytime outdoor musical shows to Sri Lankan television.
Cinematic Ventures: Mudalige ventured into acting with the film Sonduru Wasanthe in 2006 and continued to make his mark with roles in films like Sir Last Chance and Kosthapal Punyasoma. His role in the long-running television serial Jeewithe Lassanai was particularly noteworthy, where he played ‘Kevin Benjamin’, a character that became iconic in Sri Lankan teledrama history.
Producing and Directing: In 2008, Mudalige co-produced the morning chat show Coffee with Lahiru and Muditha, which enjoyed immense popularity until 2015. He also produced the reality show Mega Star and the teledrama Kanamediriyo in 2019.
Social Media and YouTube: Mudalige is a pioneer in leveraging social media for journalism in Sri Lanka. In 2017, he founded Hari TV, a YouTube-based multi-channel platform that features a wide range of content including entertainment, political discussions, and economic talk shows. With over 700,000 subscribers, Hari TV has become a leading digital platform, showcasing over 600 music videos and earning several awards at the Derana Music Video Awards.
Fashion and Other Ventures: Alongside his media career, Mudalige, with his wife, launched a fashion line called “Colombo Batik”. They have also been involved in international documentary production, notably The Shadow Pandemic, which highlights issues in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Syria, Tunisia, and Gambia.
Conclusion
Lahiru Mudalige’s contributions to Sri Lankan media have been substantial and varied. From his early days as a child artist to becoming a multi-faceted media personality, his journey is marked by innovation, dedication, and a keen understanding of the evolving media landscape. Whether through television, cinema, or digital platforms, Mudalige continues to influence and inspire, making a lasting impact on Sri Lankan culture and beyond.
, is a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan media landscape.){kind=link}