Sriyani Amarasena

Kalasuri Palamakumbura Herath Mudiyanselage Sriyani Weerakoon Kumarihami, born on June 14, 1944, known popularly as Sriyani Amarasena (ශ්‍රියානි අමරසේන), is a prominent actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television, as well as a producer.[1] Sriyani has made notable appearances in several critically acclaimed movies by Lester James Peries, including Golu Hadawatha, Desa Nisa, and Ahasin Polawata.[2]

Personal life
She was born on June 14, 1944, in Meethotamulla, Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka.[3] Her father worked at the Colombo Municipal Council. Sriyani received her education from three schools, starting with Meetotamulla College for her primary education, followed by Musaeus College and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya in Colombo.[4]

Sriyani is married to former journalist Arthur U. Amarasena.[5][6] The couple has a daughter named Inoka Amarasena, who has also acted in a few films such as Kristhu Charithaya and Gehenu Lamai, as well as a son named Sampath Amarasena.

Acting career
During her school days, Sriyani acted in a few dramas such as Hathara Beeri Kathawa and Koheda Yanne Rukmani.[7] She then met Siri Perera and joined the Lama Mandapaya program on the SLBC. Sriyani made her first appearance in a stage drama with P. D.L Perera's Thammanna and gained popularity in the role of the daughter in Dayananda Gunawardena's stage drama Naribana.[4] Some of her other stage dramas include Hitha Honda Ammandi and Ves Muhunu.[7]

Her debut in cinema came with the feature film Wings Over Ceylon, directed by Pagngnasoma Hettiarachchi.[4] She also acted in the minifilm Keti Kathawa, directed by D.B. Nihalsinghe, which is recorded as the first cinemascope film produced in Sri Lanka.[7]

After her marriage, Sriyani entered mainstream cinema, making her breakthrough in the blockbuster film Golu Hadawatha in 1968. This paved the way for her entry into the popular cinema industry.[8] Some of her notable dramatic roles came in films such as Desa Nisa, Ahasin Polawata, Viragaya, and Mahagedara.[9] In addition to dramatic roles, Sriyani has also acted in many commercial films of various genres, such as Kalyani Ganga and Raththaran Amma, which received positive critical acclaim.[7] In 1993, she was awarded the Sarasaviya Award for her performance in the film Kulageya.[10]

Sriyani ventured into teledrama production with Dath Kekulu Pala. She went on to produce three television serials: Ira Bata Taruwa,[11] Hemanthaye Wasanthayak [12], and Hangi Muttham, the latter being partly shot in London for the Sri Lankan audience residing in England.[13] In 2003, she directed and produced the tele series Peraliya, which was shot in Australia.[14] In 2005, she directed the serial Thusharaye Chaya, which was shot in the USA.[15] In 2011, she directed the serial Mayura Asapuwa.[16]