Hemasiri Liyanage

Hemasiri Dhanawaththa Liyanage (, born December 25, 1942), is a Sri Lankan actor, dramatist, and former educator. Widely regarded as one of the finest actors on Sri Lankan stage, television and cinema, he is well known for his dramatic roles in the television series Thattu Gewal and Thaththa, as well as the feature films Sankranthi, Sthuthi Nawatha Enna, and Madhura Charika.

Personal life Hemasiri Liyanage was born on 25 December 1942 in Nahalla, Bulathsinhala, the third of four children. He completed his secondary education at Vidyarathana College in Horana. He later married Kusum Liyanage, a retired teacher. The couple had four sons: Saumya, an actor and academic; Saman, an artist; Aloka, a physician; and Indrachapa, a rock musician. His daughter-in-law is actress and social activist Samanalee Fonseka, who married his son Indrachapa in 2010.

Career

Education and teaching career (1964-1980) In 1964, Liyanage gained admission to the University of Kelaniya, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. During his time at university, he founded the student drama organization National Drama Corporation. Following graduation, he worked as a teacher at Vidyarathana College in Horana, where he taught Advanced Level economics and drama as a supplementary subject. He lost his teaching position in July 1980 after participating in the nationwide general strike, during which President J. R. Jayewardene's government dismissed over 40,000 public sector workers.

Acting career (1967-present) Liyanage began his theatre career in 1967 as a playwright, producer, and lead actor in the stage drama Kanakok Suda. He subsequently appeared in Rohana Beddage's play Balal Hasthaya. While studying, he produced the 1969 stage drama Nadagam Hewath Sudu Atha Awata Passe, which controversially earned second place in the Inter-school drama competition. In 1975, he produced Nariya Saha Keju; he and co-creator Vijaya Nandasiri received awards for Best Production and Best Music at the National Drama Festival that year. His final stage drama production was Chithrage Prema Kathwa in 1982.

Liyanage made his feature film debut in 1983 with a minor role in Siri Kularathna's Niliyakata Pem Kalemi. His early film career primarily consisted of cameo appearances, including roles in Doo Daruwo (1985), Sisila Gini Gani (1992), Kiyala Wadak Na (1992), Guru Gedara (1993), and Bawa Duka (1997). He later appeared in notable cinematic releases such as Aswesuma (2001), Me Mage Sandai (2001), Sulanga Enu Pinisa (2005), Sankranthi (2007), Sthuthi Nawatha Enna (2010), Madhura Charika (2018), and Sansare Dadayakkaraya (2019). In 2022, he featured in Sumith Rathnayaka's drama Ran Kolla.

His television career began in 1997 with a role in the international television film Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor, directed by Kevin Connor. He subsequently established a prominent career in Sri Lankan television, starring in numerous serials including Amba Yahaluwo, Eka Iththaka Mal, Sanda Dev Diyani, Idorayaka Mal Pipila, Sindu Kiyana Una Pandura, Thattu Gewal, Kokila Sandwaniya, Ayal, Dahas Gawdura, and Thanamalvila Kollek. In 2018, Liyanage received a special tribute award at the Raigam Tele'es ceremony for his lifelong contributions to Sri Lankan television and cinema.

Selected television serials

Amba Yahaluvo Amuthu Minissu Anantha Asalwasiyo Athuru Paara Ayal Chakraudhaya Dahas Gawdura Dambulugala Sakmana Eka Iththaka Mal Girikula Idorayaka Mal Pipila Jeewithaya Dakinna Kadathira Kampitha Vil Kasee Salu Kethumathi Neyo Kokila Sandwaniya Kulawamiya Mayaratne Mayavi Meedum Amma Minigan Dela Mini Palanga Ramya Suramya Pinketha Podu Sanda Dev Diyani Sandagira Sindu Kiyana Una Pandura Sisila Ima Suwanda Yahaluwo Thanamalvila Kollek Thaththa Thattu Gewal Wanawadule Wasanthaya

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1983 Niliyakata Pem Kalemi Master Mahathaya 'Kalwirale' 1985 Doo Daruwo 1991 Sthree 1992 Sisila Gini Gani Missionary 1992 Kiyala Wadak Na Jamis Appu 1993 Saptha Kanya Rony 1993 Guru Gedara Ukkuwa 1994 Aragalaya Wilson 1997 Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor Gem Suleiman 1997 Bawa Duka Gabriel, Nona Hami's father 1997 Bawa Karma Nona Hami's father 1998 Channa Kinnari 1999 Nagaran Master 2001 Aswesuma Appuwa 2001 Anantha Rathriya Appu 2001 Me Mage Sandai 2002 Salelu Warama Suren's father 2002 Sudu Sewaneli 2003 Pura Sakmana 2003 Sudu Kaluwara Suddhana 2005 Sulanga Enu Pinisa Piyasiri 2006 Kurulu Pihatu Grand father 2007 Sankranthi 2008 Machan Manoj's father 2010 Sthuthi Nawatha Enna Vidane 2011 Mahindagamanaya Mantha 2013 Miles of a Dream (french film) 2014 Kalpanthe Sihinayak Village monk 2017 Heena Hoyana Samanallu Tharaka's grandfather 2018 Madhura Charika Wilson Godamanne 2018 Nidahase Piya DS D.D. Pedris 2019 Weli Pawuru Sisira's father 2019 Sansare Dadayakkaraya Monk 2019 Vishama Bhaga Madiris 2025 Sihina Sarungal 2023 Vedi Nowadina Lamai

Awards and accolades Raigam Tele'es