Daya Thennakoon

Daya Bandara Tennakoon (born 29 November 1941 – died 17 April 2020 as දයා තෙන්නකෝන්) [Sinhala]), was an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.

Personal life He was born on 29 November 1941 in the small village of Galabadawatta, in Rangala, Kandy. He started primary education at Galabadawatta Primary School and then completed secondary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy. His father was a tea estate keeper. After school times, he was selected to the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya and graduated with an arts degree.

He was married to fellow actress Grace Ariyavwimal. He met Grace during the 1965 stage play Manaranjana Wedawarjana produced by Henry Jayasena.

Thennakoon died on 17 April 2020 at the age of 78 while receiving treatments at Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama. The funeral took place on Sunday 19 April at 11:00 am at Thalahena Cemetery, Malabe.

Career While Thennakoon was studying at the University of Peradeniya, his school as well as university friend Dharmasena Pathiraja invited him to attend several discussions done with filmmaker Sugathapala Senarath Yapa, for his film script Hanthane Kathawa in 1969.

He also worked as a journalist for the newspaper Lassana before entering the cinema.

There were vacancies in the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) when he left the university where he obtained a job there. During this time however, he was selected for many stage dramas directed by Sugathapala de Silva including Dunnu Dunugamuwe in 1972, Satha Satha, and Pathiraja's Kora Saha Andhaya in 1970. His performance with Malini Weeramuni in Dunnu Dunugamuwe was one of the most spectacular performances the audience has ever seen.

It was for the first time in Sri Lanka television that he filmed a song as his concept. It was the first video song ever made for a television media in Sri Lanka. Tennakoon is the pioneer of Sri Lankan television music videos. Dunnu Dunugamuwe Esala Sandaha Awanhala Hitha Honda Ammandi Kora Saha Andhaya Muthu Kumari Nettukkari Satha Satha The Dictator

Awards He has received several awards.

1st FIPRESCT Critics Award 1994 for the Best Performance – Tharanaya 7th Swarna Sanka Cinema Awards 1996 for the Best Supporting Actor – Seilama 26th Sarasaviya Award 1998 for the Best Performance – Tharanaya

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1969 Hanthane Kathawa Naatha 1970 Wes Gaththo 1972 Sihina Lowak 1974 Ahas Gauwa Sirisena 1974 Sihasuna Sirisena 1976 Walmathwuwo Gunapala 1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Lustful temple worker 1978 Bambaru Awith Francis 1978 Anupama Hippi 1980 Kanchana 1980 Karumakkarayo Kankanam Mahattaya 1980 Paara Dige 1981 Soldadu Unnehe Soldier 1984 Wadula Dingirala 1992 Sisila Giniganee Watchman 1995 Seilama Hunter 1995 Maruthaya Nimal's father 1997 Tharanaya 1997 Visidela Piyadasa 1998 Anthima Reya 2001 Kinihiriya Mal Amadoris 2003 Sakman Maluwa Gardener 2006 Ammawarune Appuhamy 2010 Viyapath Bambara 2014 Swaroopa 2023 Dada Ima Ravinath's servant 2025 Ice Cream 2025 Walampuri Chandare TBD Girivassipura

Selected Television Series Alu Baduna Andukola Sandagala Thenna Sanda Nodutu Sanda Thattu Gewal Veedi Pahan Wes