Eddie Jayamanne facts for kids

Eddie Jayamanne (born Wanniaarachchige Don David Victor Jayamanne on 15 February 1915 – died 25 July 1981) was a very popular Sri Lankan actor and comedian. He was known for his funny roles in the early days of Sri Lankan movies.

Early Life and Family

Eddie Jayamanne was born on 15 February 1915, in a town called Periyamulla, Negombo. He was the youngest of seven children in his family. His father, W. Don Thomas, was a teacher at Maris Stella College.

Eddie went to several schools, including Cross College of Negombo, St. Peter's College, Negombo, St. Mary's College, Negombo, and Maris Stella College. His older brother, B. A. W. Jayamanne, also became a famous filmmaker and producer.

Eddie fell in love with Rukmani Devi, who was also an actress in the same theater group as him. They got married even though Rukmani Devi's parents tried to stop it in court.

Becoming a Star in Cinema

In the 1930s, Eddie and his brother B. A. W. Jayamanne started a theater group called Minerva. They put on many successful plays. These plays often showed funny situations where simple Sri Lankan characters tried to act like Westerners. Eddie was a main actor in these comedies and became very well-known before movies became popular in Sri Lanka.

In 1947, a producer from South India, S. M. Nayagam, wanted to make the first Sri Lankan film. He asked B. A. W. Jayamanne for permission to use one of his plays, Kadawunu Poronduwa (meaning The Broken Promise). Eddie starred in this movie as a funny village character named "Manappuwa." The film was the first to have dialogue in the Sinhalese language. People loved it, and it was a huge success!

After this first movie, the Jayamanne brothers made more films based on their plays. These included Hadisi Vinishchaya (1949) and Sengawunu Pilithura (1951). In 1953, they made history again by turning a book into a movie for the first time in Sri Lanka. This film was called Kele Handa.

Eddie also acted in movies that were not made by his brother. For example, he played a musician in Sandesaya (1960). He was also in Kolomba Sanniya (1976), where he played a character who finds a jewel and becomes rich. He even played his famous "Manappuwa" role again in a remake of Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1982.

His Final Years

Eddie Jayamanne passed away on 25 July 1981, due to a heart attack. He was living in Palliyawaththa, Handala, at the time. He was buried in the "Manyokhena" Cemetery in Negombo.

Songs

Eddie Jayamanne also sang in some of his films. Two of his well-known songs are:

• Thakkita Tharikita Udapana Natanna Hithuna (with Jemini Kanth)
• Kolompure Shriya