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Jayantha Chandrasiri

Sri Lankan filmmaker

Kala Keerthi Jayantha Chandrasiri (ජයන්ත චන්ද්‍රසිරි; born 1959) is a Sri Lankan journalist, screenplay writer, television director, and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema. Chandrasiri's film Agnidahaya won seven golden awards and four silver awards at the Signis International Film Festival 2003. His two teledramas Dandubasnamanaya and Akala Sandhya are rated as two of Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka's Television History.

01Career

Chandrasiri started his acting career in 1978 under the guidance of German dramatist Dr. Norbet J. Mayer. He completed extensive study on theater by earning scholarships to Norway, Sweden, Germany and the USA. In 1979 he worked as the playwright for the play Saraswathi. 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. In 2016 he resigned from the post of executive editor of the Divaina newspaper due to political disputes.

He has acted in two films, Sagarayak Meda and Maatha. His maiden stage drama direction came through Hankithi Daha Thuna. His maiden television drama direction came through super hit Weda Hamine. His maiden cinematic direction was Agnidahaya.

02Filmography

His first film direction came through Agnidahaya in 2002. His most notable films include Guerrilla Marketing and Samanala Sandhawaniya.

YearFilmRef.
2002Agnidahaya
2005Guerilla Marketing
2013Samanala Sandhawaniya
2015Maharaja Gemunu
2018Gharasarapa
2023Midunu Vishwaya
2025Devi Kusumasana
TBDSamaharu Saha Samagama

03Television

His first television serial is Weda Hamine, which later became a cult classic in Sri Lankan television drama history. 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.

  • Akala Sandya
  • Dandubasnamanaya
  • Hathara Denek Senpathiyo
  • Nannaththara
  • Rajina
  • Weda Hamine
  • Wes Muhuna

04Accolades

Watch videos about Jayantha ChandrasiriExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

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