Jayani Senanayake


Jayani Chamthka Dharmadasa Senanayake, popularly as Jayani Senanayake, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. An actress in drama and comedy, she is best known for the roles in films Sulang Kirilli, Walapatala and Goal.

Personal life

Senanayake started education from Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura. Then she went to Dhammdinna Vidyalaya, Galkulama and finally completed from Niwanthakachethiya Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura.

Acting career

She started to act in stage drama while at the school, where she won the award for the best actress in North Central Drama festival. Then, Senanayake joined with M. Dharmasena to act in his play Wera. Her major breakthrough in theater came under Wasantha Dukgannarala during university times.
Her maiden cinematic experience came through 2001 film Mathu Yam Dawasa directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja.

Selected television serials

YearFilmRoleRef.
2001Mathu Yam Dawasa
2002Agnidahaya
2003Sudu KaluwaraHeen Manike's mother
2003Sulang KirilliViolet
2004Gini Kirilli
2004Sooriya AranaSediris's concubine
2005AksharayaServant
2006Bherunda Pakshiya
2007Nisala GiraFemale Jailor
2008MachanJasmine
2008Akasa KusumLeela
2008WalapatalaSumana
2009BinduGune's wife
2010Sthuthi Nawatha EnnaMalkanthi
2011MahindagamanayaServant
2011GamaniHead Grama Arakshaka's wife
2011SelvamVijitha
2012Colour
2012MouseServant
2013Bomba Saha RosaPocket Nandani
2013Siri ParakumGama Hamine
2015Bora Diya Pokuna
2015Sinahawa AtharinKanthi
2015Maharaja Ajasath
2015Ho Gaana PokunaGramasevaka's wife
2016Cindrella
2016Puthandiya
2017Heena Hoyana SamanalluVillage teacher
2017A LevelSylvia Fernando
2018GoalTharindu's mother
2018UdumbaraUdumbara's mother
TBDHithumathe JeewitheSumathipala's mother
TBDKandak Sema
TBDAshawari
TBDKawuruwath Danne Nehe
TBDKathuru Mithuru
TBDAngara

Awards and accolades

She has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.

Bunka Cultural Awards

[Sumathi Awards]