Henry Jayasena
Encyclopedia
Henry Jayasena born in Bendiyamulla, Gampaha
is a Sri Lanka
n actor and dramatist.
, Dr Harischandra Wijayatunga
, Dr Hudson Silva
, Hon. Dr Dharmasena Attygalle
, Hon. Rupa Karunathilake
and Stanley Jayasinghe
.
He began his career as an Assistant Teacher of English at the Dehipe Primary School in Padiyapellela in the Nuwara Eliya district
in 1950 where he directed his first play, Janaki. Jaysena left this post a few months later after passing the General Clerical Service Examination and securing a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Sri Lanka.
Also during this time Jaysena was a reputed film actor. An early role was in Sri 296 (1959). During the 1960s Jaysena played the starring roles of Piyal in Gamperaliya
(1964), Azdak in Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967) and Lalith in Dahasak Sithuvili (1968).
He died, November 11, 2009 in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Gampaha
Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...
is a Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n actor and dramatist.
Early Life
Jayasena studied at the Gampaha branch of Lorenz College and at Nalanda College Colombo. Some of Jayasena's notable classmates at Nalanda College were Karunaratne AbeysekeraKarunaratne Abeysekera
Karunaratne Abeysekera was one of Sri Lanka's most famous Sinhala broadcasters. He was also an acclaimed poet and songwriter and was widely admired for his excellent command of Sinhala....
, Dr Harischandra Wijayatunga
Harischandra Wijayatunga
Wijayatunga Mudalige Harischandra Wijayatunga is a Sri Lankan author, translator, lexicographer, teacher, lawyer and politician. He held various offices in different institutions of the Government of Sri Lanka. At present he is the leader of Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Party...
, Dr Hudson Silva
Hudson Silva
Deshabandu Dr. F. G. Hudson Silva was the founder and president of the International Eye Bank, Tissue Bank, and the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society. He was an honorary Fellow of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka....
, Hon. Dr Dharmasena Attygalle
Dharmasena Attygalle
Dr Dharmasena Attygalle was a MP in Sri Lanka's parliament from 1972 to 1983.He was Deputy Minister of Health and Minister of Indigenous Medicine representing the Kesbewa seat....
, Hon. Rupa Karunathilake
Rupa Karunathilake
Rupa Karunathilake was a former Cabinet Minister and ex Member of Parliament representing Bentara-Elpitiya electorate, in Galle District. He was also the former Sri Lanka Ambassador to the Netherlands...
and Stanley Jayasinghe
Stanley Jayasinghe
Stanley Jayasinghe is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played for Ceylon prior to the country being renamed Sri Lanka, and prior to them receiving either Test of ODI status. He was a right-handed batsman and part time offbreak bowler. In his first class cricket career which began in 1949/50 he...
.
He began his career as an Assistant Teacher of English at the Dehipe Primary School in Padiyapellela in the Nuwara Eliya district
Nuwara Eliya District
Nuwara Eliya District is a district in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its area is 1,228 km². Nuwara Eliya town is a tourist attraction.-Demographics:...
in 1950 where he directed his first play, Janaki. Jaysena left this post a few months later after passing the General Clerical Service Examination and securing a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Sri Lanka.
works
While with PWD, Jaysena created many of his most famous plays, Pawkarayo (1958) Janelaya (1962), Thavath Udesenak (1964), Manaranjana Wedawarjana (1965), Ahas Malilga (1966), Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967), Apata Puthey Magak Nethey (1968), Diriya Mawa (1972), Makara (1973) and Sarana Siyoth Se Puthini Habha Yana (1975). Before retiring from government work, he also served as Deputy Director for the National Youth Services Council (Arts and Sports Division) and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Programmes Division).Also during this time Jaysena was a reputed film actor. An early role was in Sri 296 (1959). During the 1960s Jaysena played the starring roles of Piyal in Gamperaliya
Gamperaliya (film)
Gamperaliya is a 1964 Sri Lankan drama film directed by Lester James Peries; it was adapted from the seminal novel Gamperaliya by Martin Wickramasinghe. The movie was groundbreaking in Sinhala cinema shot entirely outside of a studio using one lamp and hand held lights for lighting...
(1964), Azdak in Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967) and Lalith in Dahasak Sithuvili (1968).
He died, November 11, 2009 in Colombo, Sri Lanka