Jagath Chamila


Jagath Chamila Fernando is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. He made his film debut in 1992 in the Sinhalese film Guru Gedara, portraying a child. In 2013, he won the award for the Best Actor at New York International Film festival for his portrayal of Sami in Samige Kathava, a film based on Elmo Jayawardena's novel Sam's Story. He is considered one of five actors who have dominated the Sri Lankan stage by critics.

Family

Jagath Chamila was born on 6 June 1972. His father, Tinil Fernando, was a school principal and his mother, Veenal Biatrice, is a housewife. He has two brothers, Ajith Tinil and Prasad Saman, and one sister, Nirosha Shayamali. Chamila is married to Piyumi Uthpala Dharmasri and they have one son, Pansilu Pavan, and one daughter, Venuri Kinara. Piyumi is the daughter of the Director Vijaya Dharmasri.

Career

Chamila's career as an actor started with stage dramas at school while he was a student at Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa. After taking part in the school drama Samanala Kanda in 1986, he able to win the Best Actor awards in the inter-school drama competition from 1990 to 1992. He made his first film appearance in 1992 in Gurugedara, directed by Vijaya Dharmasiri. He won the Best Actor award for his role in Sunil Chandrasiri's play Don Juan at the State Drama Festival in 2005. In 2013, he won the best actor's award for his leading role in Sameege Kathawa at the New York City International Film festival in New York.

Television serials

  • Api Ape
  • Api Api Wage I and II
  • Aswenna
  • Avul Haraya
  • Bus Eke Iskole
  • Girikula
  • Govi Thaththa
  • Helankada
  • Jayathuru Sankaya
  • Jeewithaya Lassanai
  • Jodu Gedara
  • Kota Uda Mandira
  • Maha Polowa
  • Maama Haa Ma
  • Mama Nemei Mama
  • Manikkawatha
  • Mawa Mathakada
  • Miringu Sayura
  • Nagenahira Weralin Asena
  • No Parking
  • Paradeesaya
  • Pawani
  • Roda Hatara Manamalaya
  • Ron Soya
  • Ruwan Maliga
  • Sakura Mal
  • Samanalakanda
  • Sandagira
  • Sada Pinibidaka
  • Sihina Genena Kumariye
  • Sudui Usai
  • Swayanjatha
  • Tharu Kumari
  • Theth Saha Viyali
  • The Lake
  • Udu Sulanga
  • Verona
  • Visuviyas Kandu Pamula
  • ''Yasa Isuru''

    Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1992Gurugedara
1995Maruthaya
2000Me Mage SandaiProspective soldier
2002Thani Thatuwen PiyabannaFootball player
2005Asani WarshaPradeep Godakumbura
2005SulangaThreewheel driver
2007UppalawannaRathnapala
2008Hathara Denama Surayo remakeDougie
2011GamaniSunimal
2012PrathirooSuresh
2013Samige KathawaSam
2015Ho Gaana Pokuna MadhuwanthaOnly the voice
2017Hima Tharaka
2022Hithumathe JeewitheWimale
2023Thattu Deke IskoleUncle Pala
2023Kadira Divyaraja
2023Ape Principal
2024WeeryaAloka
2024PassportAmare
2024Sri Siddha

Awards

  • Best Actor Award in the inter-school drama competition - 1988, 1989, 1990
  • State Drama Award for Don Juan - 2005
  • President award for Asani Warsha - 2005
  • Raigam tele award for Roda Hathare Manamalaya - 2005
  • SIGNIS Tele Cinema Award for Roda Hathare Manamalaya - 2005
  • Sarasaviya Award for Asani Warsha - 2005
  • Sumathi Awards for Swayanjatha - 2011
  • New York City International Film Festival for Sam’s Story - 2013
  • Boden International Film Festival - Best Actor for Govi Thaththa- 2021