Dilhani Ekanayake


Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.

Personal life

Ekanayake studied at St Clare's girls school, in Colombo. She is married to singer and actor Priyankara Perera son of singer Milton Perera. She has a son, Dilmin Perera.

Career

Before entering cinema, she acted in few ballets such as Vishwa Geethaya and Saama. In 1987, along with Channa Wijewardena, she performed the ballet Ukussa. Ekanayake made her cinema debut in 1991 film Dedunnen Samanaliyak directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. In that year, she won the Sarasaviya award for the Best Upcoming Actress. In 1992, she won the award for the Best Actress at the same festival.
Her early roles were confined to commercial films. Her ability to dance and her trade mark smile captivated the audiences. She is known as the Sridevi of Sri Lanka. Her career hit a different trail with her role as an abandoned Tamil girl in the film Me Mage Sandai by Asoka Handagama. This serious role paved the way for other remarkable performances in Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Mage Wam Atha and Sulanga. In 2005, she again won the award for the Best Actress for the role Sudu Kalu Saha Alu at Sarasaviya Festival. In 2007, she won Presidential award for the Best Actress for the role in Sulanga.
Also she made some notable roles in Mage Wam atha, Sulanga, Me Mage Sandai, Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Pem Kekula, Nilambare, Gamani and many comedy films such as Cheriyo Darling, Chaya Maya etc.
Though cited as a cinema actress, she has also starred in several teledramas of which Maya Ranga, Swarna Kingkini, Meeduma, Sath Sanda Kirana and Amarapuraya stand out. She plays a major role in the Sri Lankan movie star show Ridee Reyak, which is a very popular annual event in Sri Lanka. She also performed as a judge of Ranawiru Real Star and Mega Star as well. Her latest performance came through in Dhawala Doowili, Bharyawo, and Deviya Sugala teledramas.
She has been a brand ambassador for Lux.

Awards

[Sarasaviya Awards]

[Presidential Film Awards]

Signis Salutation Awards">SIGNIS Awards (Sri Lanka)">Signis Salutation Awards

[Derana Film Awards]

Filmography

YearNo.FilmRole
1990701Dedunnen Samanaliyak
1991719Wada Barinam Wadak NaThilini
1991725Asai Bayai
1991720Love In Bangkok
1991736Dhanaya
1992744Jaya Sri We Kumariye
1992752Malsara DoniMangala
1992753Chandi Rajina
1992761KulageyaEdna's younger daughter
1992762Suranimala
1993774PrathignawaVindya
1993776Sarasa Sarisarana Thek Oba Mage
1993777Mawila Penevi Rupe Hade
1993779Chaya MayaChaya / Maya
1993783Jeevan Malli
1993786Sandarekha
1993792Sura Weera ChandiyoKumari
1994796Ekada Wahi
1994797Jayagrahanaya
1994800Nohadan LanduneKanthi
1994810Okkoma HondataiAnusha
1994814Sudu PiruwataSuranya
1994815Love 94Umani Baby
1995822Vijay Saha AjayHashini
1995827Pudumai Eth AththaiThusha
1995837Edath Chandiya Adath ChandiyaPavithra 'Issara Gedara Janele'
1995840Dalulana Gini
1996855Sabae Mithura
1996863Cheriyo DarlingMiss Sweetie
1996867MadhuriMadhuri 'Madu'
1997875Ramba Saha Madhu
1997883Pemmal MalaPawansala
1997909Re RuKumari
1999913Rathu AluyamaSulochana
1999919KolompoorTanisha
1999923Koti Sana
1999924Seetha SamireAmitha
1999928NagaranChithra
2000Premilla
2000933Kauda Bole AliceNirmala
2000944Pem KakulaSumudu
2001948Jack And JillArundathi
2001949Kolomba KoloppanDilhani
2001972Sellan Kukka
2002976Seethala Gini KanduSunny's daughter
2002977Pissu DoubleBhagya Ekanayake
2002978Kalu Sudu MalNirmala Mudunkotuwa alias Rohini
2002979Cheriyo Holman
2002983Thahanam GahaNirmala
2002988Mage Wam AthaKamal's wife
2002994Surapurata Kanyaviyak
20031000Sundarai AdareMeena
20031011Pissu TribleCichchi Cichchi Baby
20031015Sonduru DadabimaSamangi Ranasinghe
20031016Yakada PihatuNadeesha Kulasobana
20031021Sudu SaluThamara
20031022Hitha Honda PissoWimala
20041028Bambara Sanakeli
20041031Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3Kamala Baby
20041037Ohoma HaridaNamali
20041040Samawenna Ma Raththarane
20041042RajjumalaPunya
20051053Sudu Kalu Saha AluKomala
20051056SulangaCrisanthi
20061062Naga KanyaMadhu
20061069NilambareSamadhi
20061074Rana Hansi
20061079Kurulu PihatuShalika
20061080SewwandiShirani
20071091Hai MasterSurangani
2008Puthuni HambagiyaUthpala
20081102Siri Raja SiriSirimal's mother
20081109Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai
20091123Sinasuna AdarenMrs. Karandeniya
20091128Akasa KusumShalika
20101167Thank You BertyMala
20111150SinhawalokanayaSubharath Manike
20111157MahindagamanayaQueen Ramadatta
20111160GamaniSulochana Weerasekera
20131191Ira Laga Wadi
20141203Siri DaladagamanayaQueen of King Guhasiva
20141209Parapura
20141212Que SeraTara
20141217Ko Mark No MarkRupika Mihirani
20151223SpandanaPiyumi
20151236Lantin SinghoSamadara
20161258Sujatha PuthraMrs. Hettiarachchi
20171268Aloko UdapadiQueen Consort Anula
20171272Kota Uda ExpressPabawathi
20171282DharmayuddhayaRani
20171284Heena Hoyana SamanalluMadhavi Wijebandara
20171291Paha SamathSamath's mother
20181299SeyaVaruni Dissanayake
20191321Ginnen Upan SeethalaDoctor's Wife
20191329Weli PawuruPiyumi Ekanayake
20191331Suba TheraniyoSumana
2019ReloadPrincy
TBDThanapathilage Gedara
TBDUnderpants ThiefNayani
TBDRookada Panchi
TBDDeweni Yuddhaya
TBDUthuru Sulanga
TBDAngara