W. Jayasiri

W. Jayasiri
ඩබ්ලිව්. ජයසිරි
Born(1947-05-01)1 May 1947
Galle, British Ceylon
Died22 September 2024(2024-09-22) (aged 77)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
EducationSt. Thomas' College, Matara Vidyaloka College, Galle
Occupation(s)Actor, lyricist, screenplay writer
Years active1966–2024
AwardsBest Supporting Actor (Presidential Film Awards)

Weerapullige Jayasiri (1 May 1947 – 22 September 2024), popularly known as W. Jayasiri, was a Sri Lankan actor in film, television and on stage, and who also worked as a script writer and lyricist.[1]

Personal life

Jayasiri was born in Hirimbura, Galle on 1 May 1947.[2] He had three brothers.[3] His first school was Kithulampitiya Central Girls' College. Then he moved to Matara, and studied at Sumangala Vidyalaya. Next he attended St. Thomas' College, Matara until S.S.C exam. He was revoked from the school due to his misbehaviours and finally attended Vidyaloka College, Galle.[3]

Jayasiri 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.[3]

After series of losses in drama career, he went to Saudi Arabia for work in US company. After few years, he returned and started to play in drama again. He was married and the couple has two daughters.[3]

Death

Jaysiri died in Colombo on 22 September 2024, at the age of 77.[4]

Acting career

Jaysiri was 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 he 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 a milestone in the Sinhala theater.[6] He is the lyricist of popular film Bambaru Awith.[3] In 2005, Jayasiri translated the television script Sanda Mudunata which was originally written by director Samy Pavel in French.[7]

Selected stage dramas

  • Dunna Dunugamuwa
  • Muthu Kumari
  • Eya Dan Loku Lamayek
  • Dolahak[8]
  • Guti Kemata Niyamithai[9]
  • Dhawala Bheeshana[10]
  • No Return[11]
  • Makarakshaya[12]
  • Handa Nihanda[13]

Selected television serials

Radio plays

Refusal of award

In 2018, he refused to attend the Kalabooshana state awards festival to protest the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister. On social media, he condemned the president, Maithripala Sirisena, and refused an award offered by him.[50]

Filmography

Jayasiri started his film career with a minor role in 1973 film Dahakin Ekak directed by Meril Albert.[51] He contributed to 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]
2023 Swara
TBD Anora
TBD Akarsha [82]
TBD Elakandiye Marcus [83]
TBD Suvisi Vivarana [84]

Awards

He won a Presidential Film Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Duwata Mawaka Misa in 1997.[1]

1997 - Best Supporting Actor (Duwata Mawaka Misa)

  • Derana Lux Film Awards

2012 - Best Supporting Actor (Gamani)[85]

See also

References

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