W. Jayasiri

Weerapullige Jayasiri (born May 1, 1947 as ඩබ්ලිව්. ජයසිරි) [Sinhala]), popularly known as W. Jayasiri, is a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Jayasiri is a multi-talented personnel that working as a script writer and lyricist.

Personal life
W. Jayasiri was born in Hirimbura, Galle. He has three brothers. His first school is Kithulampitiya Central Girls' College. Then he moved into Matara, and studied at Sumangala Vidyalaya, Matara and then to St. Thomas' College, Matara until S.S.C exam. He was revoked from the school due to his misbehaviours and finally attended to Vidyaloka College, Galle. He was selected to University of Colombo for higher studies on Economics, Indian history and Sinhala. At the university, he engaged in several drama festivals and also worked as the editor of drama circle. At that time he organized drama festivals where he met Sugathapala de Silva, and became close friends.

After series of losses in drama career, he went Saudi Arabia for a work in US company. After few years, he returned and started to play in drama again. He is married and the couple has two daughters.

Acting career
Jaysiri is also a close friend of renowned director Dharmasena Pathiraja, at that time he used to play cameo roles in stage dramas. According to him, he started to play major roles only after turned 40 years of age. His maiden stage drama acting came through Harima badu Hayak second edition in 1966. He played roles in de Silva's popular stage dramas such as Dunna Dunugamuwa, Muthu Kumari and then in Pathiraja's Eya Dan Loku Lamyek. He became popular with the films Seilama and Visidela, both directed by H. D. Premaratne.

His critically acclaimed stage drama acting came through stage drama Mara Sade in 1985, which is considered as a milestone in the Sinhala theater. He is the lyricist of popular film Bambaru Awith. In 2005, Jayasiri translated the television script Sanda Mudunata which was originally written by director Samy Pavel in French.

Selected stage dramas

 * Dunna Dunugamuwa
 * Muthu Kumari
 * Eya Dan Loku Lamayek
 * Dolahak
 * Guti Kemata Niyamithai
 * Dhawala Bheeshana
 * No Return
 * Makarakshaya
 * Handa Nihanda

Selected television serials

 * Adisi Nadiya
 * Ado
 * Akala Sandya
 * Arungal
 * Bim Kaluwara
 * Dandubasnamanaya
 * Dhawala Kanya
 * Dambulugala Sakmana
 * Gajamuthu
 * Girikula
 * Haye Pahara
 * Idorayaka Mal Pipila
 * Koombiyo
 * Kumarayaneni
 * Laabai Apple
 * Mage Kaviya Mata Denna
 * Manikkawatha
 * Mini Muthu
 * Nagenahira Weralin Asena
 * Neela Pabalu
 * No Parking
 * Nonagathayaka Nimawa
 * Ran Kira Soya
 * Sadgunakaraya
 * Sanda Mudunata
 * Sidu as Chief monk
 * Sihina Samagama
 * Suddilage Kathawa
 * Tharu Ahasata Adarei
 * Theth Saha Viyali
 * Thimiragira
 * Thumpane
 * Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel
 * Valavettuwa
 * Vishwanthari
 * Wanawadule Wasanthaya
 * Wassana Sihinaya

Radio Play

 * Tharuwan Saranai
 * Alayaka Damanaya

Controversy
In 2018, he refused to attend to attend the Kalabooshana state awards festival to protest the October 26 political conspiracy. In social media, he condemns the anti-democratic and anti-constitutional acts of president Maithripala Sirisena and receiving an award from such a person is disgusting to him.

Filmography
Jayasiri started his film career with a minor role in 1973 film Dahakin Ekak directed by Meril Albert. He contributed in several critically acclaimed films such as Seilama, Wisidela, Bawa Duka, Duwata Mawaka Misa, Sankranthi and Gamani.

Awards
He won a Presidential Film Award for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Duwata Mawaka Misa in 1997.

1997 - Best Supporting Actor (Duwata Mawaka Misa)
 * Presidential Film Awards

2012 - Best Supporting Actor (Gamani)
 * Derana Lux Film Awards