Irangani married twice but took no photographs of her wedding ceremonies. Humorous incidents took place on both her wedding days courtesy her aunt Lady Adeline Molamure, the first woman member for Ruwanwella of the Legislative Council, who helped Irangani dress for the occasions. The first wedding took place in Nuwara Eliya. ìI never put any powder on my face, and my aunt was horrified to learn that I wasnít going to put any even on my wedding day so she chased me around the house with a powder puff!î she laughs. For the second wedding, which was held in church, aunt Adeline insisted that the bride get her hair done, which was the craze at the time. Irangani returned from the hairdresserís and held her hair under the shower (much to her auntís horror) as she felt her husband-to-be would never recognise her with this new wavy hair.

The break down of her first marriage to Dr Dissanayake, later Professor of Dental Surgery in Peradeniya University, after four years was a difficult period in Iranganiís life especially since few people divorced in that era and divorcees were looked down upon. It was with him that she travelled to England where she attended drama schools in Bristol and London.

On a lighter note, being the defiant sort, this bubbly beauty was first engaged to another chap straight after finishing school. When she told her father that she had decided to get married, he was not at all surprised. Instead he said, ìI knew you would come one day out of the blue, and say that youíre going to get married!î
 

At the age of 30, Irangani wedded the eminent actor Winston Serasinghe who was 17 years her senior. He passed away in 2000. The two talented artistes worked together on several theatre productions and films, including Rekawa, their first cinema collaboration just before they were married. ìHe was a great story teller. He related some fascinating tales especially since he worked in the Prison Department for almost two decades. He had a large frame and powerful voice. He loved poetry and had a very good memory of it."



Irangani and Winston had two sons Ravi and Ranjit and now have two young grandsons. ìBringing up children is definitely a challenge. I cannot understand how families quarrel over little things like property or furniture. There are parents who disown their children for marrying the ëwrongí person. Do they do it for their love for the child or is it because they love themselves too much and are preoccupied with societyís criticisms. If you think your child is making a mistake, that is the time your child needs you more than ever, and you should stand by him/her,î she argues.
Iranganiís family life was struck by tragedy in 1993 when her eldest son died at the age of 30 in a road accident. Like her, his one passion was wildlife with a special interest in snakes and birds. The family often went on excursions to Yala and Wilpattu. One day, he brought home seven snakes which made his mother weep but she grew accustomed to them as she learnt more about snakes, even assisting him during feeding times. Yet despite his coaxing, Irangani was never able to touch them. ìHe would catch cobras with the greatest of ease. We had a lot of adventures with him. Sometimes the snakes would escape and slither about the house!î she remembers.

Down-to-earth Chandi is still getting used to the idea of being a celebrity. She prefers to maintain a low profile. ìInitially when people asked me to give away prizes and make speeches, I used to think of my mother and wonder what she would say. She and others who knew me as a child would die of laughter today to see me advising youngsters because I was once so rebellious. Everyone would wonder what on earth happened to me? Iím still trying to take myself seriously,î she giggles.

When invited as a chief guest, Chandi doesnít like to speak about herself and her films. ìI want to share my ideas on conservation because if I can make one person more aware of those pressing issues, then I think it is worth my while. Talking about my experiences in acting is pointless. It doesnít help anyone and it wonít take the world forward,î she says.

Also startling to learn is that this formidable actress is still a stage fright sufferer - ìI will never get over that. My heart still palpitates.î

With any free time Chandi finds, she tries to head off to the wilderness (ìGet away from manî - as she calls it). She enjoys being outdoors, gardening and bird watching.
Growing up, Chandiís father would tinker with the radio at home to obtain news or music signals. Sometimes he would catch a foreign opera channel which fascinated Chandi. ìIt would have been great to be an opera singer,î she muses. Her father had managed to save some of his classical works and had a habit of walking around the house reciting Greek poetry. He later read Wild West novels almost exclusively, which Chandi found most entertaining and says, ìPerhaps my crazy side is from reading those books!î
 

Her daddyís hobbies may have had a subliminal influence on Chandi whose two cherished pastimes are also reading English literature and poetry and listening to music. She says, ìI read a wide range of subjects that interest me. To relax I sit with a thrilling espionage or detective novel particularly my first choice Agatha Christie, P D James or John Le Carre. Now Iím back to reading more historical and cultural texts.î She frequently picks up Hemmingway and Fitzgerald books as well. During her younger days, she read classics like Walter Scott, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Some of her favourite poets include Wordsworth, Tennyson, T S Elliot, Yates, Hopkins, Donne, Shelley, Keats and of course Shakespeare.