Sriyantha Mendis


Hiddadura Jude Neil Sriyantha Mendis, popularly as Sriyantha Mendis, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Highly versatile actor from drama to comedy, Mendis has received awards for the Best actor and Best supporting actor in multiple occasions at local award festivals.

Personal life

Mendis was born on 25 October in Ragama as the eldest of the family with three siblings. His father Hiddadura Lazarus Mendis was a time keeper at the Ceylon Transport Board and later became an executive officer at Sri Lanka Ports Authority. His mother Eliadura Karoline Soyza was a teacher at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya as well as practiced music at Haywood. Sriyantha's grandfather Hiddadura Juan Mendis was a devout Catholic. His mother's father was Eliyadura Evgeny Zoysa and mother was Welisarage Juliana Fernando. Sriyantha's parents were married on October 17, 1956. Sriyantha has one younger brother, Ajith and one younger sister Menik. Sriyantha's father died on July 25, 2007 at the age of 79.
He completed education from De Mazenod College, Kandana. He did not take part in any aesthetic activities during school times. He is clever at karate during school times. On 7 July 1979, he became a science teacher at St. Bernadette's College, Polgahawela. Later, he completed 32 years as a teacher in several schools island wide.
Mendis is married to Kusum Renu, who is also a renowned actress in Sinhala cinema, stage and television. He met Renu during the stage drama Pandukabhaya in 1984 and couple married on 25 October 1986 after the proposal in April 1985. The couple has two daughters. Elder daughter Nipuni Preksha is married to Shan Amanda Perera. Younger daughter Tharuki Amaya also acted in stage play Subha saha Yasa.His cousin daughter Vidushi Uththara is also a popular actress in television.
Elder daughter Nipuni specializes in fashion design, costume design, and stage costume design. Her husband Shan is an engineer. Their daughter is Gabriela Kathleen. Second daughter Tharuki completed a NIBM course and studied Human Resources Degree.

Career

After finishing education, Mendis along with fellow actor Senaka Perera started to produce a stage play Illeesa. In November 1979, he acted in another stage play Sathuro produced by doctor Chandrapala, who worked at Ragama rehabilitation hospital.
He made his debut as an actor in 1979 by portraying a role in a comedy stage drama called Ane Abilic After appearing in his first teledrama Palingu Menike, Sriyantha entered to the silver screen in 1987, through H. D. Premaratne's movie Mangala Thegga. He won the Best Actor Award at the State Drama Festival in 1988 for his role in Mora drama.

Selected television serials

Awards

Youth Services Youth Drama Festival

State Drama Festival

[Sumathi Awards]

[Presidential Film Awards]

[Raigam Tele'es]

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Television State Awards