W. Jayasiri
Weerapullige Jayasiri (born May 1, 1947[1] as ඩබ්ලිව්. ජයසිරි) [Sinhala]), popularly known as W. Jayasiri, is a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[2] Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Jayasiri is a multi-talented personnel that working as a script writer and lyricist.[3]
W. Jayasiri ඩබ්ලිව්. ජයසිරි Mr. PS | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Education | Vidyaloka College, Galle |
Occupation(s) | Actor, Lyricist, Screenplay writer |
Years active | 1966–present |
Awards | Best Supporting Actor |
Personal life
W. Jayasiri was born in Hirimbura, Galle. He has three brothers.[4] His first school is Kithulampitiya Central Girls' College. Then he moved into Matara, and studied at Sumangala Vidyalaya, Matara and then to St. Thomas' College, Matara until S.S.C exam. He was revoked from the school due to his misbehaviours and finally attended to Vidyaloka College, Galle.[4] He was selected to University of Colombo for higher studies on Economics, Indian history and Sinhala. At the university, he engaged in several drama festivals and also worked as the editor of drama circle. At that time he organized drama festivals where he met Sugathapala de Silva, and became close friends.[4]
After series of losses in drama career, he went Saudi Arabia for a work in US company. After few years, he returned and started to play in drama again. He is married and the couple has two daughters.[4]
Acting career
Jaysiri is also a close friend of renowned director Dharmasena Pathiraja, at that time he used to play cameo roles in stage dramas. According to him, he started to play major roles only after turned 40 years of age. His maiden stage drama acting came through Harima badu Hayak second edition in 1966. He played roles in de Silva's popular stage dramas such as Dunna Dunugamuwa, Muthu Kumari and then in Pathiraja's Eya Dan Loku Lamyek. He became popular with the films Seilama and Visidela, both directed by H. D. Premaratne.[5]
His critically acclaimed stage drama acting came through stage drama Mara Sade in 1985, which is considered as a milestone in the Sinhala theater.[6] He is the lyricist of popular film Bambaru Awith.[4] In 2005, Jayasiri translated the television script Sanda Mudunata which was originally written by director Samy Pavel in French.[7]
Selected stage dramas
Selected television serials
- Adisi Nadiya [14]
- Ado[15]
- Akala Sandya[16]
- Arungal[17]
- Bim Kaluwara[18]
- Dandubasnamanaya[19]
- Dhawala Kanya [20]
- Dambulugala Sakmana [21]
- Gajamuthu[22]
- Girikula[23]
- Haye Pahara[24]
- Idorayaka Mal Pipila[25]
- Koombiyo[26]
- Kumarayaneni
- Laabai Apple[27]
- Mage Kaviya Mata Denna [28]
- Manikkawatha [29]
- Mini Muthu[30]
- Nagenahira Weralin Asena[31]
- Neela Pabalu
- No Parking[32]
- Nonagathayaka Nimawa[33]
- Ran Kira Soya[34][35]
- Sadgunakaraya[36]
- Sanda Mudunata[37]
- Sidu as Chief monk[38]
- Sihina Samagama
- Suddilage Kathawa [39]
- Tharu Ahasata Adarei[40]
- Theth Saha Viyali [41]
- Thimiragira[42]
- Thumpane [43]
- Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel[44]
- Valavettuwa
- Vishwanthari [45]
- Wanawadule Wasanthaya[46]
- Wassana Sihinaya [47]
Radio Play
- Tharuwan Saranai [48]
- Alayaka Damanaya[49]
Controversy
In 2018, he refused to attend to attend the Kalabooshana state awards festival to protest the October 26 political conspiracy. In social media, he condemns the anti-democratic and anti-constitutional acts of president Maithripala Sirisena and receiving an award from such a person is disgusting to him.[50]
Filmography
Jayasiri started his film career with a minor role in 1973 film Dahakin Ekak directed by Meril Albert.[51] He contributed in several critically acclaimed films such as Seilama, Wisidela, Bawa Duka, Duwata Mawaka Misa, Sankranthi and Gamani.[52]
Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1973 | Dahakin Ekek | Club drunk fighter | |
1976 | Diyamanthi | Caldera's thug | [53] |
1978 | Bambaru Awith | Micheal | |
1980 | Para Dige | ||
1980 | Hansa Vilak | ||
1981 | Soldadu Unnahe | ||
1982 | Ridee Nimnaya | ||
1994 | Handana Kinkini | ||
1995 | Mee Haraka | Mansoor | |
1995 | Seilama | Marcus | |
1995 | Chitti | ||
1995 | Ayoma | ||
1997 | Duwata Mawaka Misa | ||
1997 | Bawa Duka | Officer | [54] |
1997 | Bawa Karma | ||
1997 | Mother Teresa | Mr. Goma | |
1997 | Visidela | Gunapala | [55] |
1999 | Surangana Yahana | ||
1999 | Mandakini | [56] | |
1999 | Sathyadevi | Jinadasa | [57] |
2000 | Pem Kekula | [58] | |
2001 | Daru Upatha | ||
2001 | Me Mage Sandai | [59] | |
2002 | Sathkampa | Benjamin | [60][61] |
2002 | Arumosam Wahi | [62] | |
2002 | Mamath Geheniyak | ||
2003 | Thani Thatuwen Piyabanna | Doctor | [63] |
2003 | Sudu Kaluwara | Arachchi | [64] |
2004 | Mille Soya | [65] | |
2007 | Sankranthi | Dr. Gerad | [66] |
2009 | Rosa Mal Sayanaya | ||
2011 | Gamani | Sumedha, chief monk | [67] |
2013 | Abhinikmana | Chief monk | [68] |
2014 | Swaroopa | Gregory Samson | [69] |
2014 | Que Sera | Ananda | [70] |
2014 | Death in a Noble Day | ||
2015 | Suhada Koka | Minister Gajanayake | [71] |
2016 | Sakkarang | Jeramiyas | [72] |
2016 | Weerawarna | Ivan Salgadu | [73] |
2017 | Kaala | Wattaka Nilame | [74] |
2017 | Aloko Udapadi | Jain Nighantha Giri | [75] |
2018 | Punchi Andare | [76] | |
2019 | Asandhimitta | Old Wickramasekara | [77] |
2019 | President Super Star | Minister | [78] |
2020 | Nim Him | [79] | |
2020 | Soosthi | Soosa's father | [80] |
2022 | Night Rider | [81] | |
TBD | Anora | ||
TBD | Akarsha | [82] | |
TBD | Elakandiye Marcus | [83] |
Awards
He won a Presidential Film Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Duwata Mawaka Misa in 1997.[3]
1997 - Best Supporting Actor (Duwata Mawaka Misa)
- Derana Lux Film Awards
2012 - Best Supporting Actor (Gamani)[84]
See also
References
- "W. Jayasiri turns 70". Mirror. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "W. Jayasiri bio". Rate your music. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- "Sri Lankan actors - W. Jayasiri". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- "Interview with W. Jayasiri". Janayugaya. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Unsung hero of the arts scene". Daily News. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "A book not to be missed". Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "A director with a mission". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Dolahak with Athula pathirana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- "Comedy of Trio". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ""Dhawala Bheeshana" Back Again". Mirror Arts. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Glamour of theatrical reality in genuine art". Sunday Observer. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Makarakshaya". Time out. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "SLASA presents 'Handa Nihanda'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Kapila's Adisi Nadiya on the tele screen by Chandana". සරසවිය. February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- "'Ado' Viewers live a big dream until it ultimately shatters - News Features | Daily Mirror".
- "Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka's Television History". Roar Media. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Treat yourself to Arungal". Daily News. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- "Bim Kaluwara: The story of environmental change". Sunday Times. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- "Range of An Arrow - Dandubasnamanaya". MUBI. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "'Dhawala Kanya' : A mystery story". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- "'Dambulugala Sakmana' on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- "'Gajamuthu' glitters on mini screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Girikula now in editing process". Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- "Kids hit ball for 'Haye Pahara'". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- "'Idorayaka Mal Pipila': A tragic story". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- "Koombiyo: Story Of A Criminal Mastermind". asianmirror.lk. August 11, 2017.
- "'Laabai Apple' underway". Sunday Times. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- "'Mage Kaviya Mata Denna' : Mano's filmic dream". Sunday Times. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
- ""Manikkawatha": The television is ready for a turning point in the art of teledrama - ITN News රස බර". ITN News (in Sinhala). December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- "රෝෂන් මිණි මුතු සමඟ". Sarasaviya. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- "The East is Calling". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Story of Lives that stopped in the wrong places". Sarasaviya. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- "Futility of war on mini screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Ran Kira Soya Tele Film". sinhalatv. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "'Rankiri Soya' gives kids a hand". Sunday times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- "Sadgunakaraya: A story of six generations". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- "Story of 'Sanda Mudunata'". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- "Tale of a struggle for power". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "'Suddilage Kathawa' back on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Work – Teledramas". Shalani Tharaka website. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- "'Wet and Dry': An emotional tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- "Thimiragira on Derana". Sarasaviya. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- "Thumpane on Television". Sarasaviya. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- "Saradiel re-lived". Sunday Observer. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- "'Vishwanthari': World Class literature on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- "Sudath's stories on screen again". Sunday Times. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- "'Wassana Sihinaya' on Derana". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- "Jayalath Manorathna - Radio Play (Tharuwansaranai)". youtube. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- "Critics 'tune' in to wrong frequency". dailymirror. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- "W. Jayasiri rejects state award". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "W. Jayasiri - ඩබ්ලිව් ජයසිරි films". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- "W. Jayasiri filmography". IMDb. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "All about Diyamanthi". Sarasaviya. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- "Sinhala screened films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "The Fishing Net (1994)". IMDb. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "Mandakini - මන්දාකිනි". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- "'Sathyadevi' comes with a human touch". Sunday Times. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- "'Pem Kekula' goes back to a hilarious past". Sunday Times. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "'Me Mage Sandai' breaks all traditions". Sunday Times. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "සිංහල සිනමාවේ එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ චිත්රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "'Sathkampa' tells of a woman's tragedy". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- "'Arumosam Wehi' to storm Lankan cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- "FLYING WITH ONE WING". WordPress.com. May 21, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "The Intruders (Sudu Kaluwara) - A cinematic spring of patriotism". The Island. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Laudable exercise in free cinema concept". Daily News. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- Indeewara Thilakarathne (May 6, 2007). "Review: The Tender Trap (Sankranthi) Room for maturity". Sunday Observer. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Rear Admiral (Dr) Sarath Weerasekera's debut cinema creation 'GAMANI' in cinemas island-wide". Ada Derana. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
- "Abhinikmana – අභිනික්මන". cinema.lk. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- "පතිරාජගේ ස්වරූප හෙට එයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- "Que Sera; a movie for a noval audience". Sunday Times. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- "සුහද කොකා අද ඇඩ්ඩ්රස් නෑ හෙට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
- "'Sakkarang' Film about transformation from feudalism to modernity". Sunday Times. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- "Weerawarna". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
- "Kaala". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- Susitha R. Fernando (November 27, 2016). "World premiere for 'Aloka Udapadi' at IFFI". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- "Punchi Andare is the work after immense dedication". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- "Handagama's new movie 'Asandhimitta' to hold its World Premiere". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- "The presidential stage where four people are competing". Sarasaviya. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- "The oscillation between love and hate – plot of Nim Him". Sarasaviya. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- "Their journey that is not theirs". Sarasaviya. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
- "Nonviolent girl caught in a mob". Sarasaviya. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- "'Akarsha soon on cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- "Tale of Elakandiye Marcus". Sarasaviya. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- "Awards at Derana Film Awards 2011". Derana.lk. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
External links
- To contest with a common symbol would be the proper way W. Jayasiri\
- ‘Sinethra’ focuses on yesteryear golden cinema
- V Day 2018: The violent results of patriarchal values take center stage on Sunday 1st April
- Remembering dramatist and writer Sugathapala de Silva
- වල්කමේ යන ගෑණු රඟපාන්න ඇවිල්ලා
- ඩිලාන්ලට එස්.බී.ලට කොන්දක් නැහැ – ඩබ්ලිව්. ජයසිරි
- The King Is Dead! Long Live The King!
- සුන්දර ගමක තැනෙන සිහින සක්මන ගැනයි මේ
- මල්සරා නෙවෙයි