Jayani Senanayake

Kapuwela Vidanage Senanayake Mudiyanselage Jayani Chamathka Dharmadasa Senanayake (born as ජයනි සේනානායක; February 1, 1974), popularly as Jayani Senanayake, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.^[1] Highly versatile actress in drama and comedy, she is best known for the roles in films Sulang Kirilli, Walapatala and Goal.

Jayani Senanayake ජයනි සේනානායක
Born	Kapuwela Vidanage Senanayake Mudiyanselage Jayani Chamathka Dharmadasa Senanayake (1975-02-01) February 1, 1975 (age 50) Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Other names	Jayani Senanayake
Education	Niwanthakachethiya Maha Vidyalaya University of the Visual and Performing Arts
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1997–present
Spouse	Sanjeewa Illeperuma

Personal life

Senanayake started education from Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura. Then she went to Dhammdinna Vidyalaya, Galkulama and finally completed from Niwanthakachethiya Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura.^[2]

Acting career

She started to act in stage drama while at the school, where she won the award for the best actress in North Central Drama festival. Then, Senanayake joined with M. Dharmasena to act in his play Wera. Her major breakthrough in theater came under Wasantha Dukgannarala during university times.^[2]

Her maiden cinematic experience came through 2001 film Mathu Yam Dawasa directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja.^[3][4]

Selected television serials

• Ado^[5]
• Anavaratha ^[6]
• Angani ^[7]
• Arungal^[8]
• Bogala Sawundiris ^[9]
• Chalo
• Chandi Kumarihami ^[10]
• Dhawala Kanya ^[11]
• Dhawala Yamaya^[12]
• Diya Yata Gini^[13]
• Ehipillamak Yata ^[14]
• Isisara Isawwa^[15]
• Jeewithaya Horu Aran ^[16]
• Kampitha Vil^[17]
• Maya Roo^[18]
• Me Wasantha Kalayay
• Meeduma (2003)^[19]
• Meedum Amma
• Nonimi Yathra ^[20]
• Paara Wasaa Aetha
• Pateelage Kathawa^[21]
• Pinkama (single episode)^[22]
• Rathi Virathi ^[23]
• Sadgunakaraya ^[24]
• Sadisi Tharanaya^[25]
• Sanda Amawakai^[26]
• Sedona^[27]
• Sihinayak Wage ^[28]
• Sindu Kiyana Una Pandura^[29]
• Siyapath Arama^[30]
• Suddilage Kathawa ^[31]
• Sulanga Maha Meraka^[32]
• Tharu Ahasata Adarei^[33]
• Three-wheel Malli ^[34]
• Wara Peraliya ^[35]
• Weeraya Gedara Awith^[36]
• Weten Eha ^[37]

Selected stage dramas

• Bakamuna Weedi Basi ^[38]
• Debiddo^[39]
• Horu Samaga Heluwen ^[40]
• Miss Yulee^[41]
• Saadaya Maarai Salli Hamarai^[42]
• Sihina Horu Aran^[43]
• Siriwardena Pawula^[44]
• Weeraya Merila ^[45]
• Wera

Filmography

Key

†	Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Year	Film	Role	Ref.
2001	Mathu Yam Dawasa		[46]
2002	Agnidahaya		[47]
2003	Sudu Kaluwara	Heen Manike's mother	[48]
2003	Sulang Kirilli	Violet	[49]
2004	Gini Kirilli		[50]
2004	Sooriya Arana	Sediris's concubine	[51]
2005	Aksharaya	Servant
2006	Bherunda Pakshiya
2007	Nisala Gira	Female Jailor	[52]
2008	Machan	Jasmine	[53]
2008	Akasa Kusum	Leela	[54]
2008	Walapatala	Sumana	[55]
2009	Bindu	Gune's wife	[56]
2010	Sthuthi Nawatha Enna	Malkanthi	[57]
2011	Mahindagamanaya	Servant	[58]
2011	Gamani	Head Grama Arakshaka's wife	[59]
2011	Selvam	Vijitha	[60]
2012	Colour		[61]
2012	Mouse	Servant	[62]
2013	Bomba Saha Rosa	Pocket Nandani	[63]
2013	Siri Parakum	Gama Hamine	[64]
2015	Bora Diya Pokuna		[65]
2015	Sinahawa Atharin	Kanthi	[66]
2015	Maharaja Ajasath		[67]
2015	Ho Gaana Pokuna	Chithra, Gramasevaka's wife	[68]
2016	Cindrella		[69]
2016	Puthandiya	Dharme's wife	[70]
2017	Heena Hoyana Samanallu	Village teacher	[71]
2017	A Level	Sylvia Fernando	[72]
2018	Goal	Tharindu's mother	[73]
2018	Udumbara	Udumbara's mother	[74]
2021	Kawuruth Danne Na		[75]
2022	Hithumathe Jeewithe	Sumathipala's mother	[76]
2022	Ashawari	Rajini Subramanium	[77]
2023	Kandak Sema		[78]
2023	Kathuru Mithuru	Wilson's wife	[79]
2023	Nattami Army	Kanthi	[80]
2024	Minnu		[81]
TBA	Angara †		[82]
TBA	Nuhuru Vaeyama †		[83]
TBA	Amuthu Gurukamak †		[84]

Awards and accolades

She has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.^[85]

Bunka Cultural Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2009	Performance in Drama	Honour Award	Won

Sumathi Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2013	Me Wasantha Kalayay	Merit Award	Won