Hemasiri Liyanage

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.^[3]

He also is the father of four sons - Saumya, Saman, Aloka and Indrachapa.^[3] Eldest son Saumya Liyanage is an actor and a lecturer.^[4] 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.^[5] Youngest son Indrachapa Liyanage is a renowned rock musician who is married to fellow actress Samanalee Fonseka.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8] Her notable cinema came through Aswesuma, Sankranthi, Sthuthi Nawatha Enna,^[9] Madhura Charika^[10] and Sansare Dadayakkaraya.^[11]