# Dhananjaya Siriwardena

Gajanayake Arachchige Samuditha Dhananjaya Siriwardena (Sinhala: ධනංජය සිරිවර්ධන), popularly as Dhananjaya Siriwardena, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Hailed from a family of artists, Siriwardena is also a television host.

## Personal life

His father Sunil Siriwardana is a musician and a renowned lyricist in Sri Lanka and mother Susiri Siriwardena is also a lyricist. His elder brother Madhumadhawa Aravinda is also a popular singer, actor as well as a politician.
Dhananjaya is married to Shashini. She is a flight attendant in Dubai. Dhananjaya first met Shashini in 2005 during a photo shoot of Indika Mallawaarachchi. The couple has one daughter Maurya Shiny, who was born on 1 July 2020.
Dhananjaya's grandfather, Peter Siriwardena was an accomplished musician and an actor. He worked as a lecturer in music at the Government Women's Training College, Polgolla. Dhananjaya's grandmother Srimathi Karuna Devi was a music teacher as well as an actress.
Dhananjaya's aunt Chandrika Siriwardena is also a popular songstress and playback singer. She was married to Anton Alwis, who was a journalist as well as a lyricist. Anton died on 26 March 2018 at the age of 64. Chandrika's granddaughter Dulshara Dasanthi is also a singer.

## Career

In 2004, he debuted as a mainstream actor in Me Paren Enna which was directed by Asoka Handagama and produced by YA TV. His performance in the drama was rewarded at the inaugural Raigam Tele'es ceremony in 2005, as the Best Actor. His maiden cinema acting came through Kumara Kanyawi directed by K. A. Wijeratne.
He conducts performing arts classes called Prana. In 2008, he acted in Sri Lanka's first Digital movie named Hetawath Mata Adaraya Karanna. The film was telecast on the Valentine's Day, February 14, 2008 through Citi Hitz Satellite movie channel of Dialog Television.

### Selected television serials

* Adaraneeya Poornima
* Adariye
* Amaya
* Anantha
* Ayomi
* Chandi Kumarihami
* Gal Pilimaya Saha Bol Pilimaya
* Handuna Gaththoth Oba Ma
* Haras Paara
* Hiruta Pipena Suriyakantha
* Iragini Maddahana
* Jeewithaya Dakinna
* Laabai Apple
* Maada Eyama Wiya
* Mama Newei Mama
* Mayura Asapuwa
* Me Paren Enna
* Mila
* Millewa Walawwa
* Rathriyawee
* Potawetiya
* Ridi Duvili
* Sakura Mal
* Sanda Nodutu Sanda
* Sanda Pini Bideka
* Sanhinda Pamula
* Saranganaa
* Sath Rala Pela
* See Raja
* Senehasa Kaviyak
* Sillara Samanallu
* Sithaka Mahima
* Sudu Gindara
* Sujatha
* Thanamalvila Kollek
* Thunpath Ratawaka Lassana
* Veeduru Mal
* Wasuda

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Roles |
| 2008 | Hetawath Mata Adaraya Karanna | |
| 2012 | Kumari Kanyavi | |
| 2016 | Puthandiya | Kapila |
| 2017 | Ali Kathawa | King |
| 2018 | Aladin Saha Puduma Pahana | Aladin |
| 2020 | The Horn | Prof. Thomas Steven |
| 2020 | Rookada Panchi | Uncle |
| 2022 | The Game | |
| 2023 | Kadira Divyaraja | Kamadeva |
| TBA | Number 9 † | Devinda |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Award Festival | Result |
| 2004 | Best actor | Raigam Tele'es 2005 | Won |
| 2007 | Rajya Sammana | Rajya Sammana 2007 | Won |
| 2010 | Merit Award | Sumathi Awards 2010 | Won |
| 2010 | Sumathi Jury Awards | Sumathi Awards 2010 | Won |
| 2012 | Most popular Actor | Sumathi Awards 2012 | Won |
| 2022 | Raigam Tele'es Special Jury Award | Raigam Tele'es 2022 | Won |