Ramani Bartholomeusz

Ramani Elizabeth Bartholomeusz (Sinhala: රමනී බර්තෝලමියුස්; 1 September 1966 – 30 June 1987) was a Sri Lankan actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. Having been crowned Miss Sri Lanka 1985,^[1] she represented Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 1985 pageant.^[2]

Ramani Bartholomeusz රමනී බර්තෝලමියුස්
Born	Ramani Elizabeth Bartholomeusz (1966-09-01)1 September 1966 Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Died	30 June 1987(1987-06-30) (aged 20) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title	Miss Sri Lanka 1985
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown

Personal life

Ramani was born to Kamala and Leslie Mark Bartholomeusz in Gampaha. Her father Leslie was a well-known documentary film director, broadcaster, journalist and author.^[3] She had three sisters, Marie Bartholomeusz, Dileene Bartholomeusz, Reneira Bartholomeusz and one brother Mark Bartholomeusz. She completed her education at Holy Cross College, Gampaha.^[4]

Acting career

At the age of 16, she was screened in Lester James Peiris's 1983 film Yuganthaya (English title: End of an Era) in the role of Chamari,^[4] alongside renowned actor Gamini Fonseka. After her appearance at the 1985 Miss Universe contest, Bartholomeusz continued in the acting field, as she appeared in Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's stage drama Makaraakshaya and paired with Kamal Addararachchi in television serial Himakumari.^[5]

Some of her most popular television acting came through Bhagya, where she co-acted with Ranjan Ramanayake. She was widely popularized with the song "Aju Thapara Lahila" sung by Deepika Priyadarshani. She also had a lead roles in Irata Hadana Mal, Himakumari, Salalihini Gammanaya and the Sinhala stage musical Vivanga written and directed by Surith Haykanda. In addition to film,television and stage, Ramani also appeared in the musical program Hada Bandi Gee with Rupavahini produced by Sunil Siriwardena, and in the visual for the song “Duras Wannata Me Lesin Ayda Apa Hamu Une” by Dayarathna Ranatunga.

Death

Bartholomeusz died on June 30, 1987, at the age of 20 when she was hit by the car while her lover Kamal Addararachchi driving.^[6]

Filmography

Films

Year	Film	Role	Ref.
1983	Yuganthaya	Chamari Kabalana
1987	Sathyagrahanaya	Wedding Guest

Television Serials

• Bhagya
• Himakumari
• Irata Hadana Mal
• Salalihini Gammanaya

Stage Dramas

• Makaraakshaya
• Vivanga

Music Videos

• "Duras Wannata Me Lesin"

Television Programmes

• Hada Bandi Gee

Legacy

Twenty-one years after her death, Bartholomeusz was the cover feature for the 1st issue of Reel and Track Magazine.