Dilhani Ekanayake


Dilhani Ashokamala Ekanayake is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. One of the most popular film actresses in Sinhala cinema, Ekanayake has won several awards as the most popular actress in multiple times.

Personal life

Ekanayake studied at St Clare's girls school, in Colombo. She is married to singer and actor Priyankara Perera son of singer Milton Perera. She has a son, Dilmin Perera.
In late 2020, her husband Priyankara was diagnosed with a kidney failure.

Career

Before becoming a film actress, she acted in few ballets. In 1987, along with Channa Wijewardena, she performed the ballet Ukussa. Ekanayake made her cinema debut in 1991 film Dedunnen Samanaliyak directed by Yasapalitha Nanayakkara. In that year, she won the Sarasaviya award for the Best Upcoming Actress. In 1992, she won the award for the Most Popular Actress at the same festival.
Her early roles were confined to commercial films. Her ability to dance and her trade mark smile captivated the audiences. She is known as the Sridevi of Sri Lanka. Her career hit a different trail with her role as an abandoned Tamil girl in the film Me Mage Sandai by Asoka Handagama. This serious role paved the way for other remarkable performances in Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Mage Wam Atha and Sulanga. In 2005, she again won the award for the Best Actress for the role Sudu Kalu Saha Alu at Sarasaviya Festival. In 2007, she won Presidential award for the Best Actress for the role in Sulanga.
Also she made some notable roles in Mage Wam atha, Sulanga, Me Mage Sandai, Sudu Kalu Saha Alu, Pem Kekula, Nilambare, Gamani and many comedy films such as Cheriyo Darling, Chaya Maya etc.
Though cited as a cinema actress, she has also starred in several teledramas of which Maya Ranga, Swarna Kingkini, Meeduma, Sath Sanda Kirana and Amarapuraya stand out. She plays a major role in the Sri Lankan movie star show Ridee Reyak, which is a very popular annual event in Sri Lanka. She also performed as a judge of Ranawiru Real Star and Mega Star as well. Her latest performance came through in Dhawala Doowili, Bharyawo, and Deviya Sugala teledramas.

Awards

[Sarasaviya Awards]

[Presidential Film Awards]

Signis Salutation Awards">SIGNIS Awards (Sri Lanka)">Signis Salutation Awards

[Derana Film Awards]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1990Dedunnen Samanaliyak
1991Wada Barinam Wadak NaThilini
1991Asai Bayai
1991Love In Bangkok
1991Dhanaya
1992Jaya Sri We Kumariye
1992Malsara DoniMangala
1992Chandi Rajina
1992KulageyaEdna's younger daughter
1992Suranimala
1993PrathignawaVindya
1993Sarasa Sarisarana Thek Oba Mage
1993Mawila Penevi Rupe Hade
1993Chaya MayaChaya / Maya
1993Jeevan Malli
1993Sandarekha
1993Sura Weera ChandiyoKumari
1994Ekada Wahi
1994Jayagrahanaya
1994Nohadan LanduneKanthi
1994Okkoma HondataiAnusha
1994Sudu PiruwataSuranya
1994Love 94Umani Baby
1995Vijay Saha AjayHashini
1995Pudumai Eth AththaiThusha
1995Edath Chandiya Adath ChandiyaPavithra
1995Dalulana Gini
1996Sabae Mithura
1996Cheriyo DarlingMiss Sweetie
1996MadhuriMadhuri 'Madu'
1997Ramba Saha Madhu
1997Pemmal MalaPawansala
1997Re RuKumari
1999Rathu AluyamaSulochana
1999KolompoorTanisha
1999Koti Sana
1999Seetha SamireAmitha
1999NagaranChithra
2000Premilla
2000Kauda Bole AliceNirmala
2000Me Mage SandaiTamil Woman
2000Pem KakulaSumudu
2001Jack And JillArundathi
2001Kolomba KoloppanDilhani
2001Sellan Kukka
2002Seethala Gini KanduSunny's daughter
2002Pissu DoubleBhagya Ekanayake
2002Kalu Sudu MalNirmala Mudunkotuwa 'Rohini'
2002Cheriyo Holman
2002Thahanam GahaNirmala
2002Mage Wam AthaKamal's wife
2002Surapurata Kanyaviyak
2003Sundarai AdareMeena
2003Pissu TribleCichchi Cichchi Baby
2003Sonduru DadabimaSamangi Ranasinghe
2003Yakada PihatuNadeesha Kulasobana
2003Sudu SaluThamara
2003Hitha Honda PissoWimala
2004Bambara Sanakeli
2004Ra Daniel Dawal Migel 3Kamala Baby
2004Ohoma HaridaNamali
2004Samawenna Ma Raththarane
2004RajjumalaPunya
2005Sudu Kalu Saha AluKomala
2005SulangaCrisanthi
2006Naga KanyaMadhu
2006NilambareSamadhi
2006Rana Hansi
2006Kurulu PihatuShalika
2006SewwandiShirani
2007Hai MasterSurangani
2008Puthuni HambagiyaUthpala
2008Siri Raja SiriSirimal's mother
2008Pitasakwala Kumarayai Pancho Hathai
2009Sinasuna AdarenMrs. Karandeniya
2009Akasa KusumShalika
2010Thank You BertyMala
2011SinhawalokanayaSubharath Manike
2011MahindagamanayaQueen Ramadatta
2011GamaniSulochana Weerasekera
2013Ira Laga WadiSewwandi
2014Siri DaladagamanayaQueen of King Guhasiva
2014ParapuraSudharma
2014Que SeraTara
2014Ko Mark No MarkRupika Mihirani
2015SpandanaPiyumi
2015Lantin SinghoSamadara
2016Sujatha PuthraMrs. Hettiarachchi
2017Aloko UdapadiQueen Consort Anula
2017Kota Uda ExpressPabawathi
2017DharmayuddhayaRani
2017Heena Hoyana SamanalluMadhavi Wijebandara
2017Paha SamathSamath's mother
2018SeyaIP Waruni Dissanayake
2019Ginnen Upan SeethalaDoctor's Wife
2019Weli PawuruPiyumi Ekanayake
2019Suba TheraniyoSumana
2019ReloadPrincy
2020Rookada PanchiRangi's mother
2021Uthuru Sulanga
2021Jangi HoraNayani
2022Happy BirthdayNita Saparamadu
2023Deweni Yuddhaya
2023Ape PrincipalPrincipal
2024Minnu
2025Rosa AdareAnuj's mother
2025Tentigofather's mistress
2025Walampoori: Seven and Half DreamsMadam Sisika
2025Soorya Soorya's mother
2025Mother Lanka
Dharmayuddhaya 2Rani Harischandra