Henry Jayasena facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Jayasena හෙන්රි ජයසේන
Born	Bastian Koralage Henry Rudrigo Jayasena (1931-07-06)6 July 1931 Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Died	11 November 2009(2009-11-11) (aged 78) Colombo South (Kalubowila) General Hospital - Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	Lorenz College Gampaha Nalanda College Colombo
Occupation	Film and stage Actor , Play writer and Director
Years active	1958–1999
Known for	Acting, Cinema, Theatre
Spouse(s)	Manel Ilangakoon (m. 1962)
Children	Sudaraka Jayasena
Awards	Doctor

Kala Keerthi Dr Bastian Koralage Henry Rudrigo Jayasena (born July 6, 1931 – died November 11, 2009), known as Henry Jayasena, was a very famous actor in Sri Lankan movies, plays, and TV shows. He worked for over 40 years. Many people think he was one of the best theater artists in Sri Lanka's history.

About Henry Jayasena's Life

Henry Jayasena was born on July 6, 1931, in a place called Bendiyamulla in Gampaha. He went to Lorenz College in Gampaha for his first school years. Later, he studied at Nalanda College Colombo.

In 1962, Henry Jayasena married Manel Ilangakoon, who was also an actress. Manel played the main role in Henry's play Kuweni. She even won an award for best actress at the State Drama Festival for her performance. Henry and Manel had one son named Sudaraka Jayasena. Manel also acted in many popular TV shows. She passed away in 2004 when she was 68 years old.

Henry Jayasena's Early Work

Before becoming a full-time actor, Henry Jayasena started his career as an English teacher. This was in 1950, at a primary school in Padiyapellela. While teaching there, he directed his very first play, called Janaki.

However, he soon left teaching. He passed an exam and got a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Sri Lanka. Later, before he retired from government work, he also helped with arts and sports at the National Youth Services Council. He also worked in the Programs Division at Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, which is a TV station.

His Amazing Career in Arts

While working at the Public Works Department, Henry Jayasena created many of his most famous plays. Some of these include Pawkarayo (1958), Janelaya (1962), Kuweni (1963), and Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967). These plays became very popular.

He started his movie career in 1959 with the film Sri 296. He played the role of "Jayaweera". In the 1960s, he took on main roles in important films like "Piyal" in Gamperaliya (1964). He also played "Azdak" in the film version of Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967).

When television came to Sri Lanka in the late 1970s, Henry Jayasena also started acting in TV shows. He was involved with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation from its early days in the 1980s. He played a much-loved character called "Sudu Seeya" in the TV drama Doo Daruwo. This show was very popular and won many awards. It was one of the longest-running TV dramas in Sri Lanka during the 1990s.

Henry Jayasena stopped acting in 1999 because he was getting treatment for an illness. However, he did make two small appearances in movies later. These were Punchi Suranganavi in 2002 and Randiya Dahara in 2004.

Well-Known Stage Plays

Beyond Acting and Directing

Besides acting and directing, Henry Jayasena was also a talented writer. He wrote screenplays for movies and lyrics for songs. He also wrote articles for the "Artscope page" of the local newspaper, the Sri Lanka Daily News, for many years.

Books Written by Henry Jayasena

• Minisun Woo Daruwo
• Hunuwataye Kathawa
• Karaliyaka Kathawak
• Niliyakage Kathawak
• Nim Nethi Kathawak
• Balga Gilano
• Adarshawath Baenku Niyamuwaku A Gaman Maga
• Sudu Seeyage Kavi Sindu
• Play Is The Thing
• Kuweni
• Janelaya

His Lasting Impact

In 2003, Henry Jayasena received a special award called the Nalanda Keerthi Sri. This award was given to him by his old school, Nalanda College, Colombo, to honor his great achievements.

Movies He Acted In