Janak Premalal

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Born (1959-05-15) May 15, 1959 (age 66)
Karannagoda
EducationHorana Sripalee College
Vidyaratne College, Horana
OccupationsActor, dramatist, director, teacher
Janak Premalal
ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල්
Born (1959-05-15) May 15, 1959 (age 66)
Karannagoda
EducationHorana Sripalee College
Vidyaratne College, Horana
Alma materUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura[1]
OccupationsActor, dramatist, director, teacher
Years active1983–present
Political partyNational Freedom Front[2]
AwardsBest Actor

Lokupathirage Janak Premalal (born May 15, 1959, as ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල්) [Sinhala]), is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[3][4] He has acted in more than 250 television serials.[5]

He was born on May 15, 1959, in Karannagoda. His father Sirisena Premalal is a script writer and a teacher at Govinna Senior School in 1952. His mother Daya Weerakkody was also a teacher who worked in Govinna Primary School.[6] He first attended Govinna Primary School and then Horana Sripali Vidyalaya. Then he went to Vidyarathana College, Horana, for education since grade 8.[7] He has one brother who is an army officer.

Premalal completed A/L from the commerce stream and was selected to the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He completed a degree in Property Administration & Valuation Science. In 1982, he was appointed as a valuation officer at the Department of Assessments and Taxation. In 1984, he joined as an economics teacher in his school Vidyarathana College, Horana. He continued to work in the profession for thirty years until his retirement in 2014.[6]

He is married to his longtime partner Gnanothra. The couple has one daughter, Sasikala and one son, Gayanjith. Gayanjith is an IT graduate at University of Moratuwa.[7] Sasikala is a chemistry graduate at University of Peradeniya.[6]

Acting career

While in the school at the age of 18, Premalal started their drama career by acting in the stage play Kathawak Athara Hadiyak produced by Ariyapala Pathirajha.[8] In 1976, the play won first place at All Island Drama Competition as well. His television drama career started with a minor role in the serial Hathpana and then with Siw Mansala.[7] His first main role in television came through 1993 serial Sandagiri Pawwa. His maiden cinema acting came through 1993 film Guru Gedara directed by Vijaya Darma Sri with a minor uncredited role.[9]

Selected stage dramas

  • Kathawak Athara Hadiyak
  • Ambu Samiyo
  • Mahagiri Dambaya[8]
  • Numba Vitharak Thala Elalui[8]

Selected television serials

Beyond acting

In 1984, he directed his first stage play Abuddassa Kolama,[77] which won many awards at Youth Drama Festival. Then in 1988, he directed the stage play Raja Kapuru[78] and Rajagahe Nadagama in 2000. In 2004, he directed the play Salwala Kelabila.[7] Raja Kapuru was also staged in Japan.[8]

In 1984, Abuddassa Kolama won seven awards at the All Island Drama Competition conducted by the National Youth Services Council.[8] And in 1988, Raja Kapuru won three awards at All Island Drama Competition.[79]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1993Guru GedaraFuneral and Wedding Attender
1999Bahu Bharya[80]
2000Indrakeelaya
2002Salelu WaramaSuren's brother[81]
2010Suwanda Denuna JeewitheRavi's father
2012Wassanaye SenehasaSamarasekara[82]
2017Aloko UdapadiRegional Sinhala King[83]
2017KaalaHeen Kurutta's brother[84]
2018Nidahase Piya DSE. W. Perera[85]
2020SuparnaMastor[86]
2020Nim Him[87]
2023Thattu Deke Iskole
TBDThanapathilage Gedara[88]

Awards and accolades

References

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