# Hemasiri Liyanage

Hemasiri Dhanawatha Liyanage (Sinhala: හේමසිරි ලියනගේ, born December 25, 1942), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television. He is well known for the dramatic roles in Thattu Gewal and Thaththa teledramas and films Sankranthi, Sthuthi Nawatha Enna and Madhura Charika.

## Personal life

Hemasiri Liyanage was born on 25 December 1942 in Nahalla village, Bulathsinhala as the third of the family with four siblings. He has one elder brother, one elder sister and one younger brother. He completed education from Vidyarathana College, Horana. He is married to Kusuma Liyanage, who is a cousin sister. She is also a retired teacher.
He also is the father of four sons - Saumya, Saman, Aloka and Indrachapa. Eldest son Saumya Liyanage is an actor and a lecturer. Second son Saman is an artist. Third son Aloka Liyanage is a doctor. He was married to the Madhavee Wathsala, daughter of actor Jackson Anthony, until divorce in 2016. Youngest son Indrachapa Liyanage is a renowned rock musician who is married to fellow actress Samanalee Fonseka.

## Career

He was selected to University of Kelaniya in 1964 and graduated with an arts degree. He formed the drama organization in the university known as National Drama Corporation. After graduating, he started teaching at Vidyarathana College, Horana. In 1980, he lost the job due to political disputes within the country. He taught economics to A/L students and taught drama as an additional subject. While in the school, he produced the stage drama Nadagam Hewath Sudu Atha Awata Passe in 1969. The drama won the second place in Inter-school drama competition with a controversy. In 1975, Liyanage produced the play Nariya Saha Keju and in 1975 Vijaya Nandasiri and Hemasiri were presented with awards for Best Production and Best Music at the National Drama Festival. His final stage drama production was Chithrage Prema Kathwa staged in 1982.
He started drama career as a playwright and producer in stage dramas such as Kanakok Suda staged in 1967. He acted as the lead actor in that drama as well. Then he acted in the play Balal Hasthaya produced by Rohana Beddage.
He started cinema career with the 1983 film Niliyakata Pem Kalemi directed by Siri Kularathna. Her notable cinema came through Aswesuma, Sankranthi, Sthuthi Nawatha Enna, Madhura Charika and Sansare Dadayakkaraya.

### Selected television serials

* Amba Yahaluvo
* Amuthu Minissu
* Anantha
* Asalwasiyo
* Athuru Paara
* Ayal
* Chakraudhaya
* Dahas Gawdura
* Dambulugala Sakmana
* Eka Iththaka Mal
* Girikula
* Idorayaka Mal Pipila
* Jeewithaya Dakinna
* Kadathira
* Kampitha Vil
* Kasee Salu
* Kethumathi Neyo
* Kokila Sandwaniya
* Kulawamiya
* Mayaratne
* Mayavi
* Meedum Amma
* Minigan Dela
* Mini Palanga
* Ramya Suramya
* Pinketha
* Podu
* Sanda Dev Diyani
* Sandagira
* Sindu Kiyana Una Pandura
* Sisila Ima
* Suwanda Yahaluwo
* Thanamalvila Kollek
* Thaththa
* Thattu Gewal
* Wanawadule Wasanthaya

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1983 | Niliyakata Pem Kalemi | Master Mahathaya 'Kalwirale' |
| 1985 | Doo Daruwo | |
| 1991 | Sthree | |
| 1992 | Sisila Gini Gani | Missionary |
| 1992 | Kiyala Wadak Na | Jamis Appu |
| 1993 | Saptha Kanya | Rony |
| 1993 | Guru Gedara | Ukkuwa |
| 1994 | Aragalaya | Wilson |
| 1997 | Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor | Gem Suleiman |
| 1997 | Bawa Duka | Gabriel, Nona Hami's father |
| 1997 | Bawa Karma | Nona Hami's father |
| 1998 | Channa Kinnari | |
| 1999 | Nagaran | Master |
| 2001 | Aswesuma | Appuwa |
| 2001 | Anantha Rathriya | Appu |
| 2001 | Me Mage Sandai | |
| 2002 | Salelu Warama | Suren's father |
| 2002 | Sudu Sewaneli | |
| 2003 | Pura Sakmana | |
| 2003 | Sudu Kaluwara | Suddhana |
| 2005 | Sulanga Enu Pinisa | Piyasiri |
| 2006 | Kurulu Pihatu | Grand father |
| 2007 | Sankranthi | |
| 2008 | Machan | Manoj's father |
| 2010 | Sthuthi Nawatha Enna | Vidane |
| 2011 | Mahindagamanaya | Mantha |
| 2013 | Miles of a Dream | (french film) |
| 2014 | Kalpanthe Sihinayak | Village monk |
| 2017 | Heena Hoyana Samanallu | Tharaka's grandfather |
| 2018 | Madhura Charika | Wilson Godamanne |
| 2018 | Nidahase Piya DS | D.D. Pedris |
| 2019 | Weli Pawuru | Sisira's father |
| 2019 | Sansare Dadayakkaraya | Monk |
| 2019 | Vishama Bhaga | Madiris |
| 2020 | Avilenasului | |
| TBD | Vedi Nowadina Lamai | |

## Awards and accolades
### Raigam Tele'es

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2018 | Contribution to cinema | Special Tribute | Won |