Jayantha Chandrasiri ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jayantha Chandrasiri June 1959 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer, screen writer |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Madhumani Hapuarachchi |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Kala Keerthi[1] |
Kala Keerthi Jayantha Chandrasiri (ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි; born 1959), is a Sri Lankan journalist, screenplay writer, television director, and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema.[2] Chandrasiri's film Agnidahaya won seven golden awards and four silver awards at the Signis International Film Festival 2003.[3] His two teledramas Dandubasnamanaya and Akala Sandhya are rated as two of Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka's Television History.[4]
Chandrasiri started his acting career in 1978 under the guidance of German dramatist Dr. Norbet J. Mayer.[5] He completed extensive study on theater by earning scholarships to Norway, Sweden, Germany and the USA.[6] In 1979 he worked as the playwright for the play Saraswathi.[7] Armed with the knowledge gained through these scholarships, he returned home and began directing with stage drama Ath, which led to State Drama Award winners Mora and Oththukaraya.[6] In 2016 he resigned from the post of executive editor of the Divaina newspaper due to political disputes.[8]
He has acted in two films, Sagarayak Meda and Maatha. His maiden stage drama direction came through Hankithi Daha Thuna.[9] His maiden television drama direction came through super hit Weda Hamine. His maiden cinematic direction was Agnidahaya.[10]
His first film direction came through Agnidahaya in 2002. His most notable films include Guerrilla Marketing and Samanala Sandhawaniya.[11][12]
| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Agnidahaya | [6] |
| 2005 | Guerilla Marketing | [13] |
| 2013 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | [14] |
| 2015 | Maharaja Gemunu | [15] |
| 2018 | Gharasarapa | [16] |
| 2023 | Midunu Vishvaya | [17] |
His first television serial is Weda Hamine,[18] which later became a cult classic in Sri Lankan television drama history.[19] His most notable television direction came through Dandubasnamanaya. His television serial, Akala Sandya is credited as the first ever Sri Lankan teledrama to depict the concept of time travel.[20]