Priyankara Rathnayake

Priyankara Rathnayake (born June 3, 1964 as ප්‍රියංකර රත්නායක) is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Highly versatile actor mostly engaged in theater and cinema, Rathnayake is a lecturer and Head of Drama & Theatre and image Arts Unit, Department of Fine Arts in University of Kelaniya by profession.

Personal life
He started drama career under Somalatha Subasinghe's children and youth theater and state drama school. Then he joined Rajitha Dissanayake's drama troupe.

He entered to University of Kelaniya in 1989 and obtained the Bachelor of Arts Special Degree (Honours) in 1992. He completed Master of Arts Degree in Drama and Theatre from University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2005. He is working as a lecturer and visiting lecturer for mass media, drama and theater as well as performing arts in University of Peradeniya, National School of Drama, Tower Hall Theatre Foundation and Sripalee campus of University of Colombo.

Acting career
Rathnayake is credited for introducing famous plays by Sophocles to the Sri Lankan theater with the titles Oedipus and Ada Vage Davasaka Antigone. He also directed Aristophanes' play Lysistrata in 2015 as Visekariyo. In 2016, he directed William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the title Premawantha Kumarayo.

In 2016, a four-day theater festival was held at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo from June 7 to 10 daily at 7 pm.

Notable works

 * Ada Vage Davasaka Antigone
 * Asinamali
 * Bakamuna Weedi Basi
 * Oedipus
 * Poth Gullee
 * Premawantha Kumarayo
 * Sihina Horu Aran
 * Visekariyo

Selected television serials

 * Abhisamaya
 * Ahanna Kenek Na
 * Charithayaka Paata Denna
 * Dhawala Yamaya
 * Diya Ginisilu
 * Giri Kula
 * Kadadora
 * Maheshika
 * Manikkawatha
 * Sakarma
 * Satya
 * Sulangata Enna Kiyanna
 * Vishwanthari

Author work
He wrote several books related to drama and media. One of them is Natya Vicharaya.

Filmography
Rathnayake started his film career with Thunweni Aha back in 1996, directed by Anura Chandrasiri. His most popular cinema acting came through films Irasma, Bandhanaya and Dedunu Akase.

Awards and accolades
He has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.

Presidential Awards

 * 1999 ||| Dorakada Marawa || Best Screenplay || Won
 * 1999 ||| Dorakada Marawa || Best Screenplay || Won

Sumathi Awards

 * 2001 ||| Abhisamaya || Merit Award || Won
 * 2001 ||| Abhisamaya || Merit Award || Won

Raigam Tele'es

 * 2012 ||| Sulangata Enna Kiyanna Kadadora || Merit Award || Won
 * 2012 ||| Sulangata Enna Kiyanna Kadadora || Merit Award || Won