Kalasuri Palamakumbura Herath Mudiyanselage Sriyani Weerakoon Kumarihami (born 14 June 1944), popularly known as Sriyani Amarasena, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, television and theater as well as a producer and director. Sriyani has appeared in several critically acclaimed Lester James Peries movies, including Golu Hadawatha, Desa Nisa and Ahasin Polawata.
Personal life She was born on 14 June 1944 in Meethotamulla, Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka. Her father worked at Colombo Municipal Council. She had her education from three schools, primary education from Meetotamulla College, and then from Musaeus College and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo.
She is married to former journalist Arthur U. Amarasena. The couple has one daughter, Inoka Amarasena and one son, Sampath Amarasena. Inoka also acted in few films such as Kristhu Charithaya and Gehenu Lamai.
Acting career During school time, she acted few dramas like Hathara Beeri Kathawa and Koheda Yanne Rukmani. Then, she met Siri Perera and entered to Lama Mandapaya program in the SLBC. Amarasena first appeared on stage drama with P. D.L Perera's Thammanna, and then gain popularity with the role daughter of Dayananda Gunawardena's stage drama Naribana. Some of her other stage dramas include Hitha Honda Ammandi and Ves Muhunu.
Her maiden cinematic appearance came through a feature film Wings Over Ceylon directed by Pagngnasoma Hettiarachchi. Then she acted in a minifilm Keti Kathawa directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe. This film is recorded as the first cinemascope film produced in Sri Lanka.
After the marriage, Amarasena entered mainstream cinema, where her maiden acting came through in the blockbuster film Golu Hadawatha in 1968. This in turn opened door to enter popular cinema industry. Some of her notable dramatic roles came through the film such as Desa Nisa, Ahasin Polawata, Viragaya and Mahagedara. Apart from dramatic roles, Amarasena also acted many commercial films of many genre, such as Kalyani Ganga and Raththaran Amma, which earned her positive critical responses. In 1993, she was awarded the Sarasaviya award for the film Kulageya.
Her maiden teledrama production came through Dath Kekulu Pala. Then she produced three television serials, Ira Bata Taruwa, Hemanthaye Wasanthayak and Hangi Muttham where they made partly in London for England-based Sri Lankan audiences. In 2003, she directed and produced the tele series Peraliya, which was shot in Australia. In 2005, she directed the serial Thusharaye Chaya which was shot in USA. In 2011, she directed the serial Mayura Asapuwa.
In 2019, he was honored with Janabhimani Honorary Award at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. In 2021, he was honored with the 'Deshabhimani Keerthi Kalabushana' award.
Selected Television Serials Ayomi Dath Kekulu Pala Gini Weluma Girikula (Cameo appearance) Mayura Asapuwa Natath Ayek Sura Mathin Rangira Ran Samanalayo Swayanjatha Udu Sulanga
Filmography
As actress Year Film Role Ref. 1968 Golu Hadawatha Champa 1971 Hathara Denama Surayo Somey 1975 Desa Nisa Sundari 1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Sumali 1978 Ahasin Polawata Vineetha 1978 Veera Puran Appu Kuda Manike 1979 Sarungale Soma, Simon's wife 1980 Mal Kekulu Palika 1982 Maha Gedara Anula Malwanna 1987 Viragaya Sarojini 2003 Le Kiri Kandulu Nethalie 2003 Sepata Dukata Sunny Silawathi 2005 One Shot Vijaya's aunt 2005 Sulanga Judge 2013 Bomba Saha Rosa 2013 Raja Horu Mahesh's mother 2017 Nilanjana Samantha 2017 Dr. Nawariyan Charitha Senanayake 2017 Dedunu Akase Vajira 2017 Seema Na Akase Isuru's mother
References
External links Face 2 Face with Sriyani Amarasena Journalist cum actress
මම කිසිදේකින් සැලෙන්නේ නෑ - ප්රවීණ රංගවේදිනී ශි්රයාණි අමරසේන