Jayakodige Dona Rathna Lalani, popularly as Rathna Lalani Jayakody, is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. She is a teacher by profession.
Personal life
Rathna Lalani Jayakody was born on 8 January1964 as the youngest of the family. His father is an Ayurvedic doctor. She went to Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Sedawatta and then attended to Kolonnawa Balika Vidyalaya. She has two elder brothers, two elder sisters – Geetha Kanthi and Sriyani. Geetha Kanthi is also a renowned award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theatre and television. Popular actor Bimal Jayakody is the son of Rathna's elder brother. Bimal is married to fellow actress Sujani Menaka. Popular actress Paboda Sandeepani is the daughter of her sister Geetha Kanthi. Rathna Lalani is married to fellow actor Sampath Tennakoon. They first met during a stage drama Puthra Samagama and then in Suba Sandewak. They have acted more than 50 stage dramas together. She is currently working as a teacher in Sri Rajasinghe Madya Maha Vidyalaya.
Acting career
Before starting acting career, Jayakody joined with Sri Lanka Broadcasting Coorporation for Lama Pitiya program with her sister Geetha Kanthi. She was selected for many dramas due to her voice best suited for Noorthi and stage drama songs. She acted under the prominent directors such as Ananda Sirisena, Agnes Sirisena, Mahinda Algama, Ashoka Tillakaratne and Piyadasa Ranasinghe to polish her abilities. Her maiden television acting came through Parakrama Niriella's Laa Hiru Dahasak. Her role as Ranjani in the teledrama Yashorawaya was critically acclaimed. She also acted in Verona, and Hathara Wate In 1991, a drama festival named Ratna Lalani Drama Festival was held. In 2013, Rathna and Sampath organised a drama festival titled Abhinayana Sampath-Rathna Rangabhumika to celebrate their 30 years in stage drama career. They staged seven popular dramas from 17–23 December 2013 at New Town Hall, Colombo 7, which they together acted.
Selected stage dramas
Vaneesiye Welenda
Thunmansala
Suba Sandewak
Maname
Mayadevi
Puthra Samagama
Guru Tharuwa
Jagan Ma
Romaya Gini Gani
Thalamala Pipila
Andarela
Deseeya Thunseeya
Mala Walalu
Filmography
Her maiden cinematic experience came through a minor role in 1986 filmPooja, directed by Dharmasiri Gamage. Some of her popular films are Awaragira, Randiya Dahara and Pooja.
