# Dilani Abeywardana

Dilani Perera Abeywardana (born October 29, 1969, as ඩිලානි අබේවර්ධන) [Sinhala]), is a retired actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television. Starting her career in the 1990s, she is best known for her roles in the films Juriya Mamai, Sujatha, and Chandani.

## Personal life

Dilani Abeywardana was born on 29 October 1969 in Kalubowila, Colombo.
She is married to singer Saman Pushpawarna. They currently lives in United States and Dilani works as a beauty consultant in Staten Island.
The couple has one daughter, Kaveesha Kavindi and one son. Kavindi was born on September 12, 1996, in Colombo. Kaveesha made her film debut with 2015 film Singa Machan Charlie directed by Lal Weerasinghe. She has recorded her single in June, Samanalee written by Ananda Padmasiri and composed by Sanjula Himala. Her first song was Mandaram Adure with Kanishka Salinda. Kaveesha is married to Sri Lankan international cricketer Shehan Jayasuriya where the wedding was celebrated on 23 September 2020 in New York, US.

## Acting career

Her maiden cinematic experience came through a supportive role in 1988 film Satana, directed by Ananda Wickramasinghe. Since then, she acted many commercially successful films both in dramatic and comedy roles. Some of her popular films are Juriya Mamai, Sujatha, Chandani, Danduwama, Weli Sulanga, Boradiya Pokuna and Pissu Puso.
In 1989, she won the Sarasaviya award for the Best upcoming actress for the maiden role in Satana. Then she won Best actress award in Sarasaviya for Sayanage Sihinaya in 1993 and for Bithu Sithuwam in 1997. In 2003, she won a merit award for the dramatic role in the film Seethala Gini Kandu.
Apart from cinema, Abeywardana acted in few stage plays such as Bima Karanam and Ukussa. She also acted in popular television serials such as Charitha Thunak, Sakisanda Eliyas, and Sabanda Pabilis.

### Selected television serials

* Charitha Thunak
* Indrakeelaya
* Issaraha Gedara
* Kahala Nadaya
* Magi
* Maruk Mal
* Monara Kirilli
* Sabanda Pabilis
* Sakisanda Eliyas
* Senuri
* Sivusiya Gawwa
* Sudu Mal Kanda
* Sujatha
* Thalaya Soyana Geethaya
* Uthurukuru Satana

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1988 | Satana | |
| 1990 | Hitha Honda Puthek | |
| 1990 | Wana Bambara | |
| 1991 | Keli Madala | Danushka |
| 1991 | Raja Sellan | |
| 1991 | Sisila Giniganee | TV announcer |
| 1991 | Love in Bangkok | |
| 1991 | Mama Obe Hithawatha | |
| 1992 | Ranabime Veeraya | |
| 1992 | Me Ware Mage | |
| 1992 | Sayanaye Sihinaya | |
| 1993 | Jeewan Malli | |
| 1992 | Sinhayangeth Sinhaya | Sandhya |
| 1992 | Sisila Gini Gani | TV announcer |
| 1993 | Weli Sulanga | Kusuma |
| 1993 | Sooraya Veera Chandiyo | Kumari's friend |
| 1993 | Juriya Mamai | Vinitha Ranaweera |
| 1994 | Nohadan Kumariyo | |
| 1994 | Sujatha | Shashika Miripana |
| 1994 | Sanda Madala | Achala |
| 1994 | Hello My Darling | |
| 1995 | Seilama | Jumbo |
| 1995 | Ira Handa Illa | |
| 1995 | Chandani | Shanthi Wickramasinghe |
| 1995 | Deviyani Sathya Surakinna | Jeewani |
| 1996 | Thunweni Aehe | |
| 1996 | Mal Hathai | |
| 1996 | Bithu Sithuwam | |
| 1997 | Goodbye Tokya | |
| 1998 | Sagara Peraliya | |
| 1999 | Anduru Sewaneli | |
| 1999 | Akunu Pahara | |
| 2000 | Premila | |
| 2000 | Danduwama | Chapa |
| 2000 | Indrakeelaya | |
| 2001 | Hai Baby Hai | |
| 2001 | Pissu Puso | Sulochana |
| 2002 | Sansara Prarthana | |
| 2002 | Pissu Double | Girl in Red Dress |
| 2002 | Seethala Gini Kandu | Rosalyn / Rosy |
| 2002 | Punchi Suranganavi | Nurse Shanika |
| 2006 | Rana Hansi | |
| 2015 | Bora Diya Pokuna | Mangala |