Damayanthi Fonseka
දමයන්ති ෆොන්සේකා
Born
Wanniarachchige Damayanthi Priyalatha Fonseka

(1960-08-25) August 25, 1960
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Occupation(s)Actress, Producer
Years active1979–present
SpousePrasanna Vithanage (m. 1991)
Parents
  • Gilbert Fonseka (father)
  • Seelwathie Fonseka (mother)
Relatives

Wanniarachchige Damayanthi Priyalatha Fonseka (born 25 August 1960 as දමයන්ති ෆොන්සේකා) [Sinhala]), popularly as Damayanthi Fonseka, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television as well as a director and producer.[1]

Personal life

She was born on 25 August 1960 in Kelaniya in a family with 11 siblings.[2] Her father Gilbert Fonseka worked at a Government Press. Her mother Seelwathie Fonseka from Peliyagoda, Kelaniya and was a housewife.

She got a government teaching appointment to Habarana. But she refused to move far from home.[3] She married popular filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage.[4] She got two natural abortions and hence no any children.[5]

Family background

Three of her sisters - Malini, Sriyani, Rasadari and two brothers - Dayananda and Ananda are entered to cinema. Her elder sister Malini Fonseka is considered as the Queen of Sinhala cinema, where she has acted many critically acclaimed films since 1963.[6] Malini is also a recipient of Best Actress award in all local award festivals. Malini is married to fellow popular actor Lucky Dias and divorced in 2011. Damayanthi is also the aunt of popular actresses Samanalee Fonseka and Senali Fonseka as well as sister-in-law of Karunarathna Hangawaththa. Her nephew Ashan is also an actor.[7] Her grand daughter Kushenya Sayumi entered cinema with the film Rookada Panchi. She is the daughter of Samanalee's brother Asanga Fonseka and Imalka Samaraweera.[8]

Sister Sriyani has acted in popular films such as Lokuma Hinawa, Hondai Narakai, Thilaka Saha Thilakaa, Niwena Ginna and Selinage Walawwa. Rasadari Fonseka has acted in films such as Situ Kumariyo and Athin Athata.[9] Rasadari is married to fellow actor Karunarathna Hangawaththa. Damayanthi's elder brother Dayananda died in 2012.[10]

Ananda Fonseka started acting with Thilaka Saha Thilakaa and continued to act in some films such as Eya Dan Loku Lamayek, Wasanthaye Dawasak, Anupama, Bamba Ketu Hati and Sasara Chethana. He also directed the film Umayangana.[9] His daughter Samanalee is a popular film and television actress. She acted in critically acclaimed films such as Motor Bicycle, Davena Wihagun and Premaya Nam. Her brother Upali Fonseka's daughter Senali Fonseka started career with blockbuster hit Siri Parakum and then took part in the film Vijayaba Kollaya as well as popular television serials Haara Kotiya and Nadagamkarayo. Apart from Samanalee and Senali, five other daughters also entered drama - Shivanya, Ruwani, Tharindi, Manori and Sanduni.[11]

Career

She started acting at the age of 10 while attending school as a child artist.[12] She acted in the short film Piyek Saha Minisek by I.M. Hewawasam.[13] 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.[14]

She has produced two films, Purahanda Kaluwara and Anantha Rathriya which were directed by her husband, Prasanna Vithanage.[15] Then she produced 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.[16][17]

She has acted in many stage plays and television serials.[18] She played a villain role in the television serial Hopalu Arana and won the award.[13] She won a Jury award for the acting in stage play Avi and then received a Special Merit award for the film Umayangana in 1993 Sarasaviya Film Festival.[13][19]

Her maiden theater production came through Ape Aeththo.[20] In 2017, she directed the tele serial Rankiri Amma where her sister Malini acted in main role.[21][22] She also directed the teledrama Iragala Nekatha.[23] Before that, she produced two stage plays Gasthuwa Keeyada and Parana Pinak.[20] In 2003, she produced the play Popiyana Uyana and introduced her nephew Ashan Fonseka into stage.[7]

In 2014, she directed the stage play Gasthuwa Keeyada a Sinhala adaptation of the play "Farewell" by Alexander Vampilov in 1966.[24] The premier show was held at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre, Colombo 8 on October 5, 2014 at 3.30 p.m and 6.45 p.m. The repeat of the show was held at the S.D.S. Jayasinghe Hall, Dehiwala on October 12, 2014 at 3.30 p.m and 6.45 p.m.[25] In 2015, she produced the play Parana Pinak which premiered at the Namel Malini Punchi Theater on June 6 at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm.[26]

Selected stage plays

  • Amal Biso
  • Api Kawuda
  • Avi
  • Awalan Kalla
  • Balawa Namaka Aruma
  • Bheema Bhomi
  • Boniki Gedara [27]
  • 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 [16]
  • Hopalu Arana
  • Kumarihami
  • Mudiyanse Mama
  • Nenala [28]
  • 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

YearFilmRoleRef.
1972Edath Suraya Adath SurayaOnlooker
1976Madol DuwaLawyer's daughter[29]
1982Chathu MaduraPushpa
1985Kirimaduwal
1986Asipatha MamaiManel
1987Yukthiyada Shakthiyada
1988Amme Oba Nisa
1988Angulimala
1989Shakthiya Obai AmmeDhammi
1991Sthree
1991Jayagrahanaya
1991Paaradise
1991Dolosmahe Pahana
1992UmayanganaUmayangana
1993Mawila Penevi RupeDalsi
1994Nohadan Landune
1994150 Mulleriyawa
1997Pavuru ValaluDaisy
1998Anthima Reya
2007Aganthukaya
2008Nil Diya YahanaShanuka's elder sister
2012PrathirooMuslim mother
2013Siri ParakumDuraya's wife
2018Kalu Hima
2022Night Rider[30]
TBDGaadiBulathgama Disawe's sister
TBDAnora

References

  1. ↑ "Actresses in Sri Lankan cinema - Damayanthi Fonseka". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ↑ "My father was watching the road with his cane curled up in a chair". Silumina. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  3. ↑ "Today she look like polished diamond". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "I have no other restrictions on him except one". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "My strength was my mother". Hiru FM. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Malani leaves for London
  7. 1 2 "Insights from the platform is the strength in my career - Ashan Fonseka". Divaina. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ↑ "She is the latest child actor in cinema". Mirror Arts. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Cinema families". Deshaya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  10. ↑ "Malani reminds her brother". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Malani talks about her young generation". webgossip. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "Damayanthi fonseka the Determined actress". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 "Cinema has been revised". Hiru FM. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. ↑ "Damayanthi Fonseka films". IMDb. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "Damayanthi Fonseka filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  16. 1 2 "I want to make a good group of students". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  17. ↑ "With the advancement of technology, the creativity of today's generation is diminished". Divaina. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  18. ↑ "Damayanthi Fonseka official blog". damayanthifonseka.blogspot.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  19. ↑ "Malini said the name was recommended". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  20. 1 2 "It is bringing 'Old Pinak' with the new generation". Divaina. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  21. ↑ "Ranmakri Amma is the first teledrama directed by Damayanthi Fonseka". sirilakanews. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  22. ↑ "Damayanthi Fonseka directs Malini Fonseka". Rasa Gossip. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  23. ↑ "Latest from Damayanthi Fonsekaa". mawratanews. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  24. ↑ "Damayanthi back on stage". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  25. ↑ "Damayanthi's debut play Gasthuwa Keeyada at Punchi Theatre". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "Today the stage is getting a low treat - Damayanthi Fonseka". Dinamina. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  27. ↑ "Woman's role in a male - oriented world". Daily News. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  28. ↑ "Nalan's 'Nenala come on TV". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  29. ↑ "All about Madol Duwa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  30. ↑ "Nonviolent girl caught in a mob". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
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