Jayalal Rohana


Maha Egodage Jayalal Rohana Perera, known as Jayalal Rohana, was a Sri Lankan actor who worked in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. Considered a versatile figure in Sri Lankan entertainment, Rohana was also a writer, makeup artist, radio playwright and drama teacher who taught theatre to students as a freelance dramatist in Sri Lanka. He gained acclaim for his work in television after winning the Sumathi Award for Best Actor in for the role in Isuru Yogaya.

Personal life

Rohana was born on 1 November 1964 in Colombo. He says that his father was the Treasurer of the Communist Party in Kotte. He studied at Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Peradeniya in 2007, and also earned a Master's degree in Drama and Theater from the University of Kelaniya in 2009.
Rohana was married to Menaka Shriyani, and had a son and a daughter. He was left in critical condition in 2006, when he was hit by a train, and later survived a bomb blast that occurred near Maradana Railway Station.
Rohana was hospitalized again in December 2018 after suffering a heart attack. Rumours that he died at Ragama Hospital were refuted when Rohana posted a video on social media, confirming that he was alive. He died on 11 February 2021 from another heart attack at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama. He was 56 years old. After his funeral, he was cremated at the Borella cemetery on 14 February.

Career

In 1976 at the age of 13, Rohanaplayd a role in Muhudu Giya directed by Soma Perera in the All Island Inter-school Drama Competition that he says. He has associated few renowned directors in Sinhala drama, like Simon Navagattegama and Sugathapala de Silva. He acted in Navagattegama's play Named Gangawak Sapaththukabalak Saha Maranayak. In 1982 he attended an OCIC diploma course conducted by Fr. Ernest Poruthota. Then he experienced short time theatre workshop under Prof. Rudy Corrence from Belgium and A. G. Gunawardena at Goethe institute. In 1986 he performed in the stage play Hitler produced by Douglas Siriwardena.
He entered the television drama in 1986 and acted in many single episode dramas. For his play Loka in 1992, Jayalal received awards for Script and Best Actor at National Theater Awards. His major breakthrough in television came through the role "Muthumina" in serial Isuru Yogaya directed by Susiran de Silva. The serial was telecast on Rupavahini at 8.30 pm every Sunday. For the role, he also won the Sumathi Best Teledrama Actor Award at 2006 Sumathi Awards.
His maiden cinema acting came through 1995 film Ayoma, directed by Parakrama Niriella. Then he acted in few films such as Nimnayaka Hudakalawa, Tikiri Suwanda and Sinhawalokanaya. He also worked as a frequent resource personality in the television educational programs Doramadalawa and Television Iskole telecast by ITN. He has been worked as a resource person for drama and theatre at the University of Moratuwa and has been done guest lecturers at several universities.
In 2019, he created a music video in London, which is based on the ICC Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand. Apart from the acting awards, he won several awards in the fields of stage set design, stage design, composition, costume design, stage management and drama production.

Selected stage dramas

GangawakGaru Katanayakathumani Gondola Hankithi DahathunaHitlerInvisible Wales JuriyaLeeta Loka Kalu Saha SuduKelani Palama MacBethMath Ekka NatannaPadadayaPandukabhayaSakvithi Mola Sapaththukabalak Saha MaranayakSenehebara DollySikuraSocrates Suba Saha YasaUkdandu GinnaUththamaviVarnaVeniciye WelendaVikal Samayama
  • ''Yakshagamanaya''

Publications

Sabe Viduli Vilakkuva Saba Muhune Ves Muhuna 'Handa Veduma Ves Muhunada Saba Muhunada '

Selected television serials

Ahasata Thawa AadareiBoralu PaaraDeweni Gamana GajamuthuIhirunu KiriIsuru YogayaEkata GatumaMahathala Hatana Mangala Thagga Deveni GamanaMinissuNattukkarayoNil Ahasa ObaNirsathwayoRathi Virathi Ridi DuviliSalmal LandaSandagala Thenna
  • ''Sara''