Dilani Abeywardana


Dilani Perera Abeywardana, is a retired actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Started her career in 1990s, she is best known for the dramatic roles in films Juriya Mamai, Sujatha and Chandani.

Personal life

Dilani Abeywardana was born on 29 October 1970 in Kalubowila, Colombo.
She is married to singer Saman Pushpawarna. They currently lives in United States and Dilani works as a beauty consultant in Staten Island.
The couple has one daughter, Kaveesha Kavindi and one son. Kavindi was born on September 12, 1996 in Colombo. Kaveesha made her film debut with 2015 film Singa Machan Charlie directed by Lal Weerasinghe. She has recorded her single in June, Samanalee written by Ananda Padmasiri and composed by Sanjula Himala. Her first song was Mandaram Adure with Kanishka Salinda.

Acting career

Her maiden cinematic experience came through a supportive role in 1988 film Satana, directed by Ananda Wickramasinghe. Since then, she acted many commercially successful films both in dramatic and comedy roles. Some of her popular films are Juriya Mamai, Sujatha, Chandani, Danduwama, Weli Sulanga, Boradiya Pokuna and Pissu Puso.
In 1989, she won the Sarasaviya award for the Best upcoming actress for the maiden role in Satana. Then she won Best actress award in Sarasaviya for Sayanage Sihinaya in 1993 and for Bithu Sithuwam in 1997. In 2003, she won a merit award for the dramatic role in the film Seethala Gini Kandu.
Apart from cinema, Abeywardana acted in few stage plays such as Bima Karanam and Ukussa. She also acted in popular television serials such as Charitha Thunak, Sakisanda Eliyas, and Sabanda Pabilis.

Selected television serials

YearFilmRoleRef.
1988Satana
1990Hitha Honda Puthek
1990Wana Bambara
1991Keli MadalaDanushka
1991Raja Sellan
1991Sisila GiniganeeTV announcer
1991Love in Bangkok
1991Mama Obe Hithawatha
1992Ranabime Veeraya
1992Me Ware Mage
1992Sayanaye Sihinaya
1993Jeewan Malli
1992Sinhayangeth SinhayaSandhya
1992Sisila Gini GaniTV announcer
1993Weli SulangaKusuma
1993Sooraya Veera ChandiyoKumari's friend
1993Juriya MamaiVinitha Ranaweera
1994Nohadan Kumariyo
1994SujathaShashika Miripana
1994Sanda MadalaAchala
1994Hello My Darling
1995SeilamaJumbo
1995Ira Handa Illa
1995ChandaniShanthi Wickramasinghe
1995Deviyani Sathya SurakinnaJeewani
1996Thunweni Aehe
1996Mal Hathai
1996Bithu Sithuwam
1997Goodbye Tokya
1998Sagara Peraliya
1999Anduru Sewaneli
1999Akunu Pahara
2000Premila
2000DanduwamaChapa
2000Indrakeelaya
2001Hai Baby Hai
2001Pissu PusoSulochana
2002Sansara Prarthana
2002Pissu DoubleGirl in Red Dress
2002Seethala Gini KanduRosalyn / Rosy
2002Punchi SuranganaviNurse Shanika
2006Rana Hansi
2015Bora Diya PokunaMangala