Hemasiri Liyanage

Hemasiri Liyanage
හේමසිරි ලියනගේ
Born
Hemasiri Danawaththa Liyanage

(1942-12-25) December 25, 1942
Bulathsinhala, Sri Lanka
EducationVidyarathana College, Horana
OccupationsActor, dramatist, director, teacher
Years active1967–present
Known forActing
SpouseKusum Liyanage
ChildrenSaumya Liyanage
Aloka Liyanage
Saman Liyanage
Indrachapa Liyanage
RelativesSamanalee Fonseka (daughter-in-law)

Hemasiri Dhanawaththa Liyanage (Sinhala: හේමසිරි ධනවත්ත ලියනගේ, born December 25, 1942), is a Sri Lankan actor, dramatist, and former educator.[1] Widely regarded as one of the finest actors on Sri Lankan stage, television and cinema,[2] he is well known for his dramatic roles in the television series Thattu Gewal and Thaththa,[3] 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. [4][5][6] His daughter-in-law is actress and social activist Samanalee Fonseka, who married his son Indrachapa in 2010. [7]

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.[8][9]

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.[10]

Liyanage made his feature film debut in 1983 with a minor role in Siri Kularathna's Niliyakata Pem Kalemi.[11] 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),[12] Madhura Charika (2018),[13] and Sansare Dadayakkaraya (2019).[14] 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.[15]

Selected television serials

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearFilmRoleRef.
1983Niliyakata Pem KalemiMaster Mahathaya 'Kalwirale'
1985Doo Daruwo
1991Sthree
1992Sisila Gini GaniMissionary[49]
1992Kiyala Wadak NaJamis Appu
1993Saptha KanyaRony[50]
1993Guru GedaraUkkuwa
1994AragalayaWilson
1997Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's PoorGem Suleiman
1997Bawa DukaGabriel, Nona Hami's father[51]
1997Bawa KarmaNona Hami's father[52]
1998Channa Kinnari
1999NagaranMaster
2001AswesumaAppuwa[53]
2001Anantha RathriyaAppu[54]
2001Me Mage Sandai[55]
2002Salelu WaramaSuren's father[56]
2002Sudu Sewaneli[57]
2003Pura Sakmana[58]
2003Sudu KaluwaraSuddhana[59]
2005Sulanga Enu PinisaPiyasiri[60]
2006Kurulu PihatuGrand father[61]
2007Sankranthi[62]
2008MachanManoj's father[63]
2010Sthuthi Nawatha EnnaVidane[64]
2011MahindagamanayaMantha[65]
2013Miles of a Dream(french film)[66]
2014Kalpanthe SihinayakVillage monk[67]
2017Heena Hoyana SamanalluTharaka's grandfather[68]
2018Madhura CharikaWilson Godamanne[69]
2018Nidahase Piya DSD.D. Pedris[70]
2019Weli PawuruSisira's father[71]
2019Sansare DadayakkarayaMonk[72]
2019Vishama BhagaMadiris[73]
2025Sihina Sarungal[74]
2023Vedi Nowadina Lamai[75]
TBAMegha Warsha †[76]
TBACricket Sadu †

Awards and accolades

Raigam Tele'es

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018Contribution to cinemaSpecial Tribute[77]Won

References

  1. ↑ "Hemasiri Liyanage films". IMDb. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  2. ↑ admin, eLanka (2022-07-24). "HEMASIRI LIYANAGE UNCROWNED PHENOMINAL[sic] ACTOR ON STAGE, TELE DRAMA AND FILMS WITH WISDOM - By Sunil Thenabadu". eLanka. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  3. ↑ "New waves in Sinhala teledrama". Daily News. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "Chat with Hemasiri Liyanage". Hiru FM. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Aba - good theatre in general - Habara Liyanage steals the show". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Liyanage The Multi-Talented Actor". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 2008-05-11. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "සමනලී ෆොන්සේකා ජනප්‍රිය ගායකයෙකු සමග ආයෙත් වරක් විවාහ වෙයි - Photos - Samanalee Fonseka Article - Hiru Gossip, Lanka Gossip | Hirugossip | Hiru Gossip | Hiru Fm Gossip | Hiru Gossip Official Web Site |Lanka Gossip - A Rayynor Silva Holdings Company". gossip.hirufm.lk (in Sinhala). Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  8. ↑ "Sinhala Actor Hemasiri Liyanage Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  9. ↑ "LankaWeb – General strike of July 1980 Over 40,000 strikers lost their jobs 35 years ago". Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  10. ↑ "The first Sinhala political dramatist". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  11. ↑ "Hemasiri Liyanage - හේමසිරි ලියනගේ filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  12. ↑ "Sthuthi Newatha Enna". Daily News. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  13. ↑ "'Joyful journeys' begins in March". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "Seeking death's place in life". Daily News. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  15. ↑ "Sinhala Actor Hemasiri Liyanage Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
  16. ↑ "Story of mango friends". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "'Amuthu Minissu' to appear soon". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  18. ↑ "Swarnavahni's 'Anantha' -The woman who searched for the true meaning of life". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  19. ↑ "'Athuru Para': A tribute to disabled soldiers". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  20. ↑ "A journey beyond the earth". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "'Chakraudhaya' on Rupavahini". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  22. ↑ "'Dahas Gawdura': a formulaic telefilm". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  23. ↑ "'Dambulugala Sakmana' on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "Sudath Rohana starts Girikula". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  25. ↑ "'Idorayaka Mal Pipila': A tragic story". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  26. ↑ "'Jeewithaya Dakinna' : One Episode miniplays on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  27. ↑ "'Kadathira' deals with lay, monastic life". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  28. ↑ "'Kampitha Vill' shows the life and times of people in 'Panama'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  29. ↑ "'Kasee Salu':A drama in the FTZ". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  30. ↑ "Kethumathi Neyo on ITN". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  31. ↑ "'Kokila Sandwaniya' deals with an abstract theme". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  32. ↑ "'Kulawamiya' relates a story of nobility". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  33. ↑ "'Mayaratne' tackles an unusual theme". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  34. ↑ "'Mayavi' moves with mysteries". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  35. ↑ "Meedum Amma on Swarnavahini". timeout. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  36. ↑ "Minigandela shooting begins". Daily News. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  37. ↑ "'Mini Palanga' tackles a social problem". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  38. ↑ "'Ramya Suramya': Two houses full of problems". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  39. ↑ "'Sanda Dev Diyani': A tale of courage and determination". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  40. ↑ "'Sandagira' portrays changing phase of society". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  41. ↑ "Children sing around 'the bamboo bush'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  42. ↑ "'Sisila Ima': tale of two doctors". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  43. ↑ "'Sisila Ima' and 'Sakki': two promising teleplays". Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  44. ↑ "'Sisila Ima': Tale of a woman". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  45. ↑ "'Suwanda Yahaluwo': Deals with human love". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  46. ↑ "Thanamalvila Kollek' - Award-winning warmth and fatherly memory". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  47. ↑ "Hilarious story of flat dwellers". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  48. ↑ "Sudath's stories on screen again". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  49. ↑ Wijegunasingha, Piyaseeli. "In the classical realist tradition". Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  50. ↑ "Unmada Wu Premadara: Saptha Kanya". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  51. ↑ "Bawa Duka - භව දුක". films.lk. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  52. ↑ "Sinhala screened films". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  53. ↑ "'Aswesuma' a film with a novel theme". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  54. ↑ ""Anantha Rathriya" - a study of a man's conscience". The Island. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  55. ↑ "'Me Mage Sandai' breaks all traditions". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  56. ↑ "Vasantha spins a 'Web of Love'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  57. ↑ "Ariyaratne returns to his old love". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  58. ↑ "Tikiri aims for a plentiful harvest". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  59. ↑ "The British Raj and 'Sudu Kaluwara'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  60. ↑ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  61. ↑ "Sumith enters cinema with 'Kurulu Pihatu'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  62. ↑ "Sankranthi a tale of a trio". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  63. ↑ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  64. ↑ "'Anticipating Re-arrival' waiting for a donor". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  65. ↑ "MAHINDAGAMANAYA - Based on True Historical Buddhist Story". mahindagamanayafilm. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  66. ↑ "'Miles of a Dream' A French film from Lanka". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  67. ↑ "Channa to voyage on 'Miringu Yaathra'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  68. ↑ "Heena Hoyana Samanallu coming soon". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  69. ↑ "Madhura Charika". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  70. ↑ "Interview with Suneth Malinga". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  71. ↑ "Weli Pawura - A must watch family tale". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  72. ↑ "Direction by Prasanna Jayakody and work of Simon Navagattegama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  73. ↑ "One perfect shot!". Daily News. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  74. ↑ "Two strangers on the same road". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  75. ↑ "'Bulletproof Children' competes in China". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  76. ↑ "උදයකාන්ත 'මේඝ වර්ෂා' අරඹයි: අංජලි වත්සලා සිනමාවට හඳුන්වාදෙමින් දමිත් සහ චතුර ප්‍රධාන චරිත මවති". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  77. ↑ "Raigam Tele'es award list in key categories". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
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