Kala Suri Donna Mariah Denawaka (20 February 1906 – 9 December 2002 as දෙනවක හාමිනේ), popularly known as Denawaka Hamine, was an actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Known as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema, she appeared more than 300 films and teledramas in a career spanned more than four decades.

Personal life Denawaka Hamine was born 20 February 1906 in Kimbulgoda, Gampaha. After completing education from kimbulgoda Vidyalaya, she became a teacher at the school.

She had one daughter, Edith Senarath Yapa. She had three grandchildren, all three were involved in cinema. Anura Senarath Yapa who acted in the film Sama. Palitha Senarath Yapa acted in the films Dasa Nisa and Pethigomara. Palitha later became the head of the sports division of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Youngest one, Udaya Bandara Senarath Yapa starred in the film Dandu Monara. Son-in-law Theja Bandara Senarath worked as a supervisor at Yapa Port Cargo Corporation.

She died on 9 December 2002 at the age of 96.

Career She was by profession a school teacher until a chance encounter with G. D. L. Perera when she accompanied a young actress to a theatrical audition, led to her winning the role of an elderly mother in Perera's play Kandulu. Due to her masterful performance in the role, GDL brought Hamine into his drama group Kala Pela; she would play in Kala Pela productions like Manamalayo, Sakkarawattang and Sama (as Nonnohamy) and was honored with a merit award at the 1964 Arts Council Drama Festival for her role in Totupola.

Hamine's debut film role was in the film adaption of Sama (1965) by GDL reprising the role she had popularized in the play. In Sath Samudura (1968) she played the mother of two fishermen to much critical rave. She was presented a Best Character Actress Award for the role by a special government council. It was delivered on stage by the then Sri Lankan prime minister Dudley Senanayake.

In the 1970s, Hamine had major roles in Tun Man Handiya, Desa Nisa Kolomba Sanniya and Matara Achchi. She continued to perform the elderly woman character. She played to Western audiences with a small role in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a weeping mother in 1984. In 1987, she was awarded the Kalasuri title. Her best scene in cinema came through Sath Samudura as the mother of Edmund Wijesinghe and Cyril Wickramage who starred in that film. In 1968, she won the Award for Best Actress of the Year for her role in Sath Samudura at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.

Hamine did work in television with roles in teledramas like Kopi Kade in which she made the original cast. In 1998 she received an honorary award for her contributions to Sinhala Cinema from the Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Filmography Year Title Role Ref. 1965 Saama Nonnohamy 1966 Sihina Hathak Isabella 1966 Kinkini Paada 1967 Sath Samudura Gunadasa's mother 1967 Saru Bima 1967 Sadol Kandulu Servant 1967 Iwasana Danaa 1967 Evasana dana 1967 Raena Giraw Dissa's granny 1968 Hangi Hora 1968 Dahasak Sithuvili Lalith's mother 1968 Wanasara 1968 London Hamu 1969 Romeo Juliet Kathawak 1969 Kawuda Hari Mother 1969 Hari Maga Banda caretaker 1969 Hanthane Kathawa 1970 Thun Man Handiya Sirisena's granny 1970 Lakseta Kodiya Pinsiri's mother 1970 Nim Walalla 1971 Poojithayo Ango 1971 Seeye Nottuwa 1971 Bindunu Hadawath 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1971 Sahanaya 1972 Desa Nisa Mother 1972 Wehilihini 1972 Lokuma Hinawa Kabi 'Hami' 1972 Miringuwa 1973 Matara Achchi Matara Achchi 1974 Hadawath Naththo 1974 Sheela Prospective Voter Achchi 1974 Sagarika 1974 Lasanda Parakrama's granny 1974 Wasthuwa 1974 Rodi Gama 1975 Pem Kurullo 1975 Raththaran Amma Granny 1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Sudu Nanda 1975 Cyril Malli 1975 Kokilayo 1975 Ranwan Rekha 1975 Jeewana Geethaya 1975 Sikuruliya Namali's aunt 1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya 1975 Desa Nisa Nirukada's mother 1976 Kolamba Sanniya Sister 1976 Madol Duwa Net trapped homeowner 1976 Loka Horu 1976 Walmathwuwo Maggie 1976 Hulawali Villager 1977 Sudu Paraviyo Chandi's mother 1977 Sikuru Dasawa 1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Granny 1977 Pembara Madhu 1977 Yakadaya Granny 1978 Kumara Kumariyo Granny 1978 Janaka Saha Manju Granny 1978 Vishmaya Janaka's granny 1978 Selinage Walawwa Granny 1979 Palagetiyo Sarath's mother 1979 Eka Hitha 1979 Sawudan Jema Sawdan's granny 1979 Podi Malli Siri's mother 1979 Wisihathara Peya 1980 Anuhasa 1980 Parithyagaya Jayathilaka's mother 1980 Bamvara Pahasa 1980 Raja Dawasak 1980 Paara Dige 1980 Hansa Vilak Granny 1980 Kinduru Kumari Elsie Nona 1981 Mihidum Sihina 1981 Ridee Thella 1981 Geethika 1981 Sathara Diganthaya 1982 Deweni Gamana Unmarried old aunt 1982 Bambara Geethaya 1982 Adhishtana 1982 Pethi Gomara Dhansukha's mother 1982 Anuradha 1982 Majora Sir 1983 Chutte Nanda 1983 Sister Mary Sumedha's mother 1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Villager Woman #2 1984 Wadula Sovida's mother 1984 Arunata Pera Mother 1984 Ranmalige Wasanawa Granny 1985 Adara Kathawa 1986 Soora Saradiyel Pinchohamy 1986 Dinuma Granny 1987 Sathyagrahanaya Cartoonist's mother 1987 Mangala Thegga 1987 Kawuluwa 1987 Ahinsa Party guest 1988 Sandakada Pahana Hospital resident 1988 Angulimala 1988 Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda Upasika aunty 1990 Jaya Kothanada 1991 Dolosmahe Pahana 1991 Salambak Handai 1991 Golu Muhude Kunatuwa 1992 Viyaru Minisa 1993 Ordinary Magic Vani 1993 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na 1993 Meeharaka Grandmother 1994 Le livre de cristal Vielle dame de la pension 1994 Abhiyogaya 1994 Nohadan Landune 1994 Ahas Maliga 1994 150 Mulleriyawa Kiri Amma 1994 Anoma 1994 Mee Haraka Granny 1997 Apaye Thappara 8400k 1998 Channa Kinnari 2002 Seethala Gini Kandu

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