Damayanthi Fonseka

Wanniarachchige Damayanthi Priyalatha Fonseka (born 25 August 1960) is a Sri Lankan actress, director, and producer.

Personal life She was born on 25 August 1960 in Kelaniya in a family with 11 siblings. Her father Gilbert Fonseka worked at a Government Press. Her mother Seelwathie Fonseka from Peliyagoda, Kelaniya and was a housewife.

Though she received a government teaching appointment to Habarana, she refused to move far from home. She is married to popular Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage.

Family background Three of her sisters - Malini, Sriyani, Rasadari - and two of her brothers - Dayananda and Ananda - are a part of the cinema industry. Her elder sister Malini Fonseka is considered the Queen of Sinhala cinema, has acted many critically acclaimed films since 1963 and has received many Best Actress awards in the local award festivals.

Like her siblings, Damayanthi's several relatives are in the Sinhala film industry. Actor Karunarathna Hangawaththa is her brother-in-law, Actresses Samanalee Fonseka and Senali Fonseka are her nieces, Actor Ashan is her nephew and Actress Kushenya Sayumi of Rookada Panchi fame is her grandniece. Apart from her popular nieces, Samanalee and Senali, five of her other nieces - Shivanya, Ruwani, Tharindi, Manori and Sanduni - are also in the drama industry.

Damayanthi's older brother Actor Dayananda died in 2012 and her other brother Ananda died aged 70 in 2020.

Career She started acting as a child artiste at the age of 10 while attending school. She acted in the short film Piyek Saha Minisek by I.M. Hewawasam. Her maiden cinematic appearance came through 1976 film Madol Duwa directed by Lester James Peries under the influence by elder sister Malini. However her first screened film was Edath Suraya Adath Suraya in 1972. Since then she acted in many supportive roles in commercially successful films such as Umayangana, Dolosmahe Pahana, Angulimala, Shakthiya Obai Amme and Prathiroo.

She has also produced two films, Purahanda Kaluwara and Anantha Rathriya which were directed by her husband, Prasanna Vithanage and the film Guru Geetha directed by Upali Gamlath. She also helped support the production side of Vithange's newest film Ae. In 2013, Damayanthi established a drama school.

She has acted in many stage plays and television serials. She won an award for her role as a villain in the television serial Hopalu Arana.

Her maiden theatre production came through Ape Aeththo. In 2003, she produced the play Popiyana Uyana and introduced her nephew Ashan Fonseka onto stage. and Parana Pinak in 2015 She also directed the tele-drama Iragala Nekatha.

Selected stage plays

Amal Biso Api Kawuda Avi Awalan Kalla Balawa Namaka Aruma Bheema Bhomi Boniki Gedara Debiddo Deshapaluwa Devlowa Yanakan Dukganna Rala Dvitva Erabadu Mal Pottu Pipila Ex Girlfriend Kadadasi Oru Little Animal's Home Loka Dekai Eka Minihai Man Nilame Nari Bena Paarajika Rajakiya Wendesiya Sivamma Dhanapala Ukdandu Hewana Viyanga Wes

Selected television serials

Andiri Hewanella Amanda Ambu Daruwo Divya Garunda Damana Pabalu Menika Prarthana Mal Piya Saha Daruwo Sudu Nelum Vila Pujasanaya Ranmasu Uyana Sanda Madala Kaluwarai Sath Mahala Senehasata Adarei Sihina Genena Kumariye Sinahawata Paata Denna Sisila Ima Sohoyuro Thurya Tikiri Nilame Tikiri Saha Ungi Udumbara Kumariyak Uragala Wana Sarana Yaddehi Gedara

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1972 Edath Suraya Adath Suraya Onlooker 1976 Madol Duwa Lawyer's daughter 1982 Chathu Madura Pushpa 1985 Kirimaduwal 1986 Asipatha Mamai Manel 1987 Yukthiyada Shakthiyada 1988 Amme Oba Nisa 1988 Angulimala 1989 Shakthiya Obai Amme Dhammi 1991 Sthree 1991 Jayagrahanaya 1991 Paaradise 1991 Dolosmahe Pahana 1992 Umayangana Umayangana 1993 Mawila Penevi Rupe Dalsi 1994 Nohadan Landune 1994 150 Mulleriyawa 1997 Pavuru Valalu Daisy 1998 Anthima Reya 2007 Aganthukaya 2008 Nil Diya Yahana Shanuka's elder sister 2012 Prathiroo Muslim mother 2013 Siri Parakum Duraya's wife 2018 Kalu Hima 2022 Night Rider TBD Gaadi Bulathgama Disawe's sister TBD Anora