Janak Premalal

Janak Premalal
ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල්
Born (1959-05-15) May 15, 1959 (age 65)
Karannagoda
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationHorana Sripalee College
Vidyaratne College, Horana
Alma materUniversity of Sri Jayewardenepura[1]
Occupation(s)Actor, 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] Highly versatile actor dominated in television, he has acted in more than 200 television serials.[5]

Early life

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

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

Selected television serials

[edit]

Beyond acting

[edit]

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

[edit]
Year Film Role Ref.
1993 Guru Gedara Funeral and Wedding Attender
1999 Bahu Bharya [80]
2000 Indrakeelaya
2002 Salelu Warama Suren's brother [81]
2010 Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe Ravi's father
2012 Wassanaye Senehasa Samarasekara [82]
2017 Aloko Udapadi Regional Sinhala King [83]
2017 Kaala Heen Kurutta's brother [84]
2018 Nidahase Piya DS E. W. Perera [85]
2020 Suparna Mastor [86]
2020 Nim Him [87]
2023 Thattu Deke Iskole
TBD Thanapathilage Gedara [88]

Awards and accolades

[edit]

He won the Best actor award in for the role in television serial Swayanjatha. In 2006, he won two Best Actor awards for the role in Katu Imbula at Raigam Tele'es and Sumathi Awards. Then in 2008, he won the award for the Best Actor for Kaluwara Gedara at SIGNIS awards and Raigam Tele'es.[89]

Raigam Tele'es

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
201 Swayanjatha Best Actor Won
2006 Katu Imbula Best Actor Won
2008 Karuwala Gedara Best Actor[90] Won

Sumathi Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Katu Imbula Best Actor Won
2015 Girikula Best Actor[91] Won

SIGNIS Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2008 Karuwala Gedara Best Actor Won

State Drama Festival

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Swayanjatha Best Actor Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wijeya shines at J'pura awards". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "National Freedom Front Appoints Electorate Organisers". Business Today. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Janak Premalal films". IMDb. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "Janak Premalal – ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල් films". Rate Your Music. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Conversation with Janak Premalal". Sarasaviya. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Chat with Janak". Hiru FM. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d "Jubilant Janak". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Scriptwriter and actor – Father and son turn entertainers". Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "Janak Premalal – ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල් filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "'Aadaraneeya Poornima' : Tale of love every weekday". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ado' Viewers live a big dream until it ultimately shatters". Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Nalan Mendis teledramas". nalanmendis.com. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "A dramatic conflict of family, friends and lovers". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  14. ^ "Shalani Tharaka teledramas". Shalani Tharaka official website. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  15. ^ "Athma Senehasa teledrama". Alankulama Films. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "'Bopath Ella' new tele portrays social conflict". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "Distance between rich and poor". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Child deities descend to earth". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  19. ^ "'Dhawala Kadulla' captures dramatic era of history". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  20. ^ "'Dhawala Yaamaya' on Sirasa". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  21. ^ "'Diya Matha Ruwa' now on the go". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  22. ^ "'Doo Kumariyo', daily on Derana". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  23. ^ "'Railway Stories': for a novel journey in teledrama". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  24. ^ "Girikula now in editing process". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  25. ^ "Bermin brings a rare tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  26. ^ "Matters of the heart". Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  27. ^ "Hirusanda Maima : Sinhala Tamil love tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  28. ^ "Hoduwawa". paradisaya. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "'Idora Wessa', the latest telefilm on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  30. ^ "Isisara Isawwa in the making". Sunday Times. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  31. ^ "A millionaire dies giving rise to 'Isuru Pawura'". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  32. ^ "Another astonishing season of Iththo". Sunday Observer. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  33. ^ "'Jeewithaya Lassanai' scores triple century". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  34. ^ "Karuvala Gedara' (House of Shadows)". Sudath Rohana official website. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "'Katu Imbula':A tragedy of settlers in a colony". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  36. ^ "Kinduru Kumaraya". Sudath Rohana official website. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  37. ^ "'Kulawamiya' relates a story of nobility". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  38. ^ "'Law nam Law': the detective story". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  39. ^ "'Mathi Nethi Daa'". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  40. ^ "'Mayaratne': deals with a devil". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  41. ^ "'Monaravila' portrays patriots". Sunday times. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  42. ^ "'Nisala Wilthera': Sathischandra discusses samsara". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  43. ^ "'Oba Mageya' : a tale of crime and punishment". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  44. ^ "Pawani to make a difference". The Nation. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  45. ^ "'Pembara Maw Sanda' ready for screening". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  46. ^ "Piththala Konderuma now on Swarnavahini". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  47. ^ "'Ran Poruwa' starts". Sarasaviya. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  48. ^ "The story we do not know inside Rantili Wewa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  49. ^ "'Rathriya': torn between husband and parents". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  50. ^ "'Ridi Ittankaraya' discusses old slavery law in Sri Lanka". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  51. ^ "Piyananda Thera blazes a new trail". Sunday Times. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  52. ^ "Ruwan Sakmana on Swarnavahini". The Island. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  53. ^ "Tale about how man behaves". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  54. ^ "Devinda starts new journey with 'Sadisi Tharanaya'". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  55. ^ "'Salmal Landha' unravels black spells in Sri Lanka". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  56. ^ "A tale of reincarnation". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  57. ^ "'Sanda Nodutu Sanda' : A political plot". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  58. ^ "'Sanda Thaniyama': Story of children and parents". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  59. ^ "'Sathara Ima Gini': A lesson to parents". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  60. ^ "Intriguing love story on Derana – Saveena". The Nation. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  61. ^ "Magic of Senakeliyay Maya". Daily Mirror. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  62. ^ "Tale of a struggle for power". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  63. ^ "'Senuri' on mini screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  64. ^ "Horoscope throws shadow on future". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  65. ^ "Siridev Bhawana: Conflict of urban living". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  66. ^ "'Sooriya Daruwo' starts this Sunday". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  67. ^ "Subha Prarthana teledrama". Alankulama Films. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  68. ^ "Suwanda Padma focuses on our past". Sunday Times. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  69. ^ "Sudath shows prowess with 'Swayanjatha'". Sudath Rohana official website. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  70. ^ "'Wet and Dry': An emotional tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  71. ^ "Thum Path Rela: child gets a father". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  72. ^ "Sudath seeks new talent for 'Saradiel'". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  73. ^ "Focus on 'Veedi Pahan'". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  74. ^ "Top short stories on mini screen". Sunday times. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  75. ^ "'Walakulu' on Rupavahini". The Nation. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  76. ^ "'Walakulu' make a move on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  77. ^ "Abuddassa Kolama". rangahala. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  78. ^ "Raja Kapuru". rangahala. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  79. ^ "Raja Kapura stage drama". Ridma. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  80. ^ ""Bahu Bhariya" cleared for adults". Sunday Times. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  81. ^ "Vasantha spins Web of Love". Daily News. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  82. ^ "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  83. ^ "World premiere for 'Aloka Udapadi' at IFFI | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". sundaytimes.lk.
  84. ^ "Kaala". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  85. ^ "Father of the Nation, DS Senanayake's Legacy To Silver Screen". asianmirror. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  86. ^ "The girl from Bhima – plot of Suparna". Sarasaviya. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  87. ^ "The oscillation between love and hate – plot of Nim Him". Sarasaviya. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  88. ^ "Plot of Thanapathilage Gedara". Sarasaviya. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  89. ^ "Raigam rewards teledrama talents". Sunday Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  90. ^ "After curtains fell on Raigam Tele Awards 2008..." Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  91. ^ "Sumathi Awards 2015". Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
[edit]