# Jayani Senanayake

Kapuwela Vidanage Senanayake Mudiyanselage Jayani Chamathka Dharmadasa Senanayake (born as ජයනි සේනානායක; February 1, 1974), popularly as Jayani Senanayake, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Highly versatile actress in drama and comedy, she is best known for the roles in films Sulang Kirilli, Walapatala and Goal.

## Personal life

Senanayake started education from Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura. Then she went to Dhammdinna Vidyalaya, Galkulama and finally completed from Niwanthakachethiya Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura.

## Acting career

She started to act in stage drama while at the school, where she won the award for the best actress in North Central Drama festival. Then, Senanayake joined with M. Dharmasena to act in his play Wera. Her major breakthrough in theater came under Wasantha Dukgannarala during university times.
Her maiden cinematic experience came through 2001 film Mathu Yam Dawasa directed by Dharmasena Pathiraja.

### Selected television serials

* Ado
* Anavaratha
* Angani
* Arungal
* Bogala Sawundiris
* Chalo
* Chandi Kumarihami
* Dhawala Kanya
* Dhawala Yamaya
* Diya Yata Gini
* Ehipillamak Yata
* Isisara Isawwa
* Jeewithaya Horu Aran
* Kampitha Vil
* Maya Roo
* Me Wasantha Kalayay
* Meeduma (2003)
* Meedum Amma
* Nonimi Yathra
* Paara Wasaa Aetha
* Pateelage Kathawa
* Pinkama (single episode)
* Rathi Virathi
* Sadgunakaraya
* Sadisi Tharanaya
* Sanda Amawakai
* Sedona
* Sihinayak Wage
* Sindu Kiyana Una Pandura
* Siyapath Arama
* Suddilage Kathawa
* Sulanga Maha Meraka
* Tharu Ahasata Adarei
* Three-wheel Malli
* Wara Peraliya
* Weeraya Gedara Awith
* Weten Eha

### Selected stage dramas

* Bakamuna Weedi Basi
* Debiddo
* Horu Samaga Heluwen
* Miss Yulee
* Saadaya Maarai Salli Hamarai
* Sihina Horu Aran
* Siriwardena Pawula
* Weeraya Merila
* Wera

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role |
| 2001 | Mathu Yam Dawasa | |
| 2002 | Agnidahaya | |
| 2003 | Sudu Kaluwara | Heen Manike's mother |
| 2003 | Sulang Kirilli | Violet |
| 2004 | Gini Kirilli | |
| 2004 | Sooriya Arana | Sediris's concubine |
| 2005 | Aksharaya | Servant |
| 2006 | Bherunda Pakshiya | |
| 2007 | Nisala Gira | Female Jailor |
| 2008 | Machan | Jasmine |
| 2008 | Akasa Kusum | Leela |
| 2008 | Walapatala | Sumana |
| 2009 | Bindu | Gune's wife |
| 2010 | Sthuthi Nawatha Enna | Malkanthi |
| 2011 | Mahindagamanaya | Servant |
| 2011 | Gamani | Head Grama Arakshaka's wife |
| 2011 | Selvam | Vijitha |
| 2012 | Colour | |
| 2012 | Mouse | Servant |
| 2013 | Bomba Saha Rosa | Pocket Nandani |
| 2013 | Siri Parakum | Gama Hamine |
| 2015 | Bora Diya Pokuna | |
| 2015 | Sinahawa Atharin | Kanthi |
| 2015 | Maharaja Ajasath | |
| 2015 | Ho Gaana Pokuna | Chithra, Gramasevaka's wife |
| 2016 | Cindrella | |
| 2016 | Puthandiya | Dharme's wife |
| 2017 | Heena Hoyana Samanallu | Village teacher |
| 2017 | A Level | Sylvia Fernando |
| 2018 | Goal | Tharindu's mother |
| 2018 | Udumbara | Udumbara's mother |
| 2021 | Kawuruth Danne Na | |
| 2022 | Hithumathe Jeewithe | Sumathipala's mother |
| 2022 | Ashawari | Rajini Subramanium |
| 2023 | Kandak Sema | |
| 2023 | Kathuru Mithuru | Wilson's wife |
| 2023 | Nattami Army | Kanthi |
| 2024 | Minnu | |
| TBA | Angara † | |
| TBA | Nuhuru Vaeyama † | |
| TBA | Amuthu Gurukamak † | |

## Awards and accolades

She has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.

### Bunka Cultural Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2009 | Performance in Drama | Honour Award | Won |

### Sumathi Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2013 | Me Wasantha Kalayay | Merit Award | Won |