Sampath Tennakoon


Sampath Tennakoon, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television.

Personal life

Sampath Tennakoon was born on 20 June 1959. He is from Isipathana College, Colombo.
He is married to fellow actress Rathna Lalani Jayakody. They first met during a stage drama Puthra Samagama and then in Suba Sandewak. They have acted more than 50 stage dramas together. Geetha Kanthi Jayakody is the sister of Rathna Lalani, who is a renowned award winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Popular actress Paboda Sandeepani is the daughter of her sister Geetha Kanthi. Popular actor Bimal Jayakody is the son of Rathna's elder brother. Bimal is married to fellow actress Sujani Menaka.

Acting career

He usually went Lumbini Theater to watch stage dramas. He first acted in play Guru Lipi directed by Dayaratne Ratagedara and then in Ambu Samiyo by Douglas Siriwardena. He acted in teledramas such as Sneha, Verona and Maha Viru Pandu.
In 2013, Rathna and Sampath organized a drama festival titled Abhinayana Sampath-Rathna Rangabhumika to celebrate their 30 years in stage drama career. They staged seven popular dramas from 17 - 23 December 2013 at New Town Hall, Colombo 7, which they together acted.

Selected stage dramas

His maiden cinematic experience came through a minor role in 1990 film Hima Gira, directed by Vijaya Dharma Sri. SInce then, he has acted in about 12 films, mostly in supportive characters.
YearFilmRoleRef.
1990Hima Gira
1994Ahas Maliga
1996Seema Pawuru
1996Maduree
1998Gini Avi Saha Gini KeliCampaign support seeker
2000SarojaPolice Chief
2008Siri Raja SiriShehan's father
2013Bomba Saha Rosa
2013Siri ParakumSangharaja Thero
2016PaththiniAthura's father
2019President Super Star
TBDEka Gei Sokari
TBDThanapathilage Gedara
TBDNim Him
TBDKadira Divyaraja