Wanniaarachchige Don David Victor Jayamanne, MBE (15 February 1915 – 25 July 1981), popularly known as Eddie Jayamanne was a popular Sri Lankan comedian and actor of early Sri Lankan cinema.
Early life He was born on 15 February 1915 in Periyamulla, Negambo to a Christian family as the youngest of the family with seven siblings. His father, W. Don Thomas, was a teacher at Maris Stella College. He was educated at the Cross College of Negombo, St. Peter's College, Negombo, St. Mary's College, Negombo and Maris Stella College. His elder brother B. A. W. Jayamanne was a renowned filmmaker and producer.
Eddie married fellow Minerva troupe player Rukmani Devi after falling in love through their involvement in the same plays. Devi's parents challenged their engagement in court but they were allowed to go through with their marriage.
Cinema career Eddie with his brother B. A. W. Jayamanne formed the Minerva theater troupe in the 1930s. They successfully staged plays in which naive Ceylonese characters would ape Western ways to comical results, merging South Indian theatre with Western drama. Eddie, a frequent star of these comedies, became a popular theater actor in the years leading up to the development of Sri Lankan cinema.
In 1947, South Indian producer S. M. Nayagam became interested in producing a Sri Lankan film. He contacted B. A. W. Jayamanne and secured the rights to one of his plays called Kadawunu Poronduwa. Eddie would be one of the stars in this film adaption in the role of the village simpleton "Manappuwa" alongside Jemini Kantha as Josi Baba. As the first film to feature Sinhalese dialogue, the film found approval with audiences and was a huge success.
The Jayamanne brothers followed the success of the film with several other play adaptions i.e. Hadisi Vinishchaya (1949), Sengawunu Pilithura (1951) and Umathu Wishwasaya (1952). Mabel Blythe joined the cast with Hadisi Vinishchaya. In 1953 the brothers adapted a book into film for the first time in Sri Lankan cinema (Kele Handa). Their subsequent films include Iranganie (1954), Matha Bedhaya (1955), Perakadoru Bena (1955), Daiwa Wipaakaya (1956), Vanaliya (1958), Kawata Andare (1960) and Mangalika (1963).
Eddie's work not related to his brother's productions include playing a musician in Sandesaya (1960) and the brother of a village simpleton who discovers a jewel and becomes rich in Kolomba Sanniya (1976). He reprised his role as Manappuwa in a remake of Kadawunu Poronduwa released in 1982.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1954 Birthday Honours.
Rukmani Devi died in a road accident near St. Mary's Church, Thudella, on October 28, 1978.
Death On 25 July 1981, Eddie died from a heart attack. During his last days, he was residing in 172, Palliyawaththa, Handala. His death was reported by a neighbor, P.K. Piyadasa. He was buried in "Manyokhena" Cemetery in Negombo.
Filmography
Year Film Role Ref. 1947 Kadawunu Poronduwa Manappuwa 1948 Kapati Arakshakaya Jacob 1948 Weradunu Kurumanama Babaiyya 1949 Peralena Iranama Paucha 1950 Hadisi Vinischaya Kokila 1951 Sengawunu Pilithura Manappuwa 1952 Upathu Viswashaya Saping 1953 Kele Handa Aanda 1954 Iranganie Somapala 1955 Mathabhedaya William 1955 Perakadoru Bena Gunathilaka Ralahamy 1956 Dosthara Doctor 1957 Siriyalatha Kurunis 1957 Soorasena 441 1959 Daivayogaya Dantha 1960 Sandesaya Mamma 1960 Nalangana Sunil's friend 1960 Kawata Andare Andare 1961 Gan Thera 1963 Mangalika 1963 Mangalika 1964 Semiya Birindage Deviyaya 1965 Sathutai Kandului 1966 Sampatha 1966 Senasili Suwaya Kavinda 1967 Sarana 1967 Magul Poruwa 1967 Rena Giraw Club goer 1968 Abudasse Kale 1968 Radhapura Lal 1968 Dehadaka Duka Alankari 1969 Paara Walalu 1971 Kalana Mithuro 1971 Samanala Kumariyo 1972 Hathara Wate Gunadasa 1973 Hondama Welawa 1973 Hondai Narakai 1973 Hondata Hondai Uncle 1974 Duleeka Jayawardena 1974 Susee Bastian 1974 Duppathage Hithawatha Jimmy 1975 Hitha Honda Minihek Eddie Jayamanne 1975 Lassana Kella 1975 Lassana Dawasak Eddie, Nilanthi's father 1976 Nayana 1976 Haratha Hathara 1976 Unnath Dahai Malath Dahai 1976 Onna Mame Kella Penapi 1976 Adarei Man Adarei 1976 Ran Thilaka 1976 Kolamba Sanniya Jacolis 1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Sergeant Banda 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Juwan 'Aiyya' 1977 Eya Dan Loku Lamayek Mama 1977 Honda Hitha 1977 Yali Ipade 1978 Saara Charlie 1978 Apsara 1978 Sithaka Suwanda Mr. Samson 1978 Sally 1979 Samanmalee Father 1979 Jeewana Kandulu 1979 Subhani 1980 Uthumaneni 1980 Anuhasa 1980 Sankhapali Sanka's father 1981 Kolankarayo Kathru Mahaththaya 1981 Thavalama 1982 Sithara 1982 Kadawunu Poronduwa remake Manappuwa 1983 Sandamali Sandamali's father 1983 Yali Pipunu Malak
Songs Thakkita Tharikita Udapana Natanna Hithuna (With Jemini Kanth) Kolompure Shriya
References
External links Eddie Jayamanne's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database