Virginia Sandhya Peiris (born 27 November 1952), better known as Veena Jayakody (), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Jayakody started as a child artist and has played critically acclaimed roles in films Sagarayak Meda, Ra Manamali and Sarungalaya.
Personal life Veena Jayakodi was born on 27 November 1952. Her mother, Rohini Jayakody, was a well-known Sri Lankan actress and film director. She received her education at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. Jayakodi has three children: one daughter and two sons. Her eldest child, Anjana Ramachandran, was previously married to Srini Ramachandran, and they have two children, Waishya and Kaushik. Her eldest son, Chandu Doolwela, is married to Melanie Dolivera, and the couple has three children: Jason, Tharaa, and Joshua. Her youngest son, Sanjay Khan, has a daughter named Lilaah.
Acting career Jayakody started her film career with Ahankara Sthree back in 1954, directed by A. B. Raj as a 5-month-old child with her mother. At the age of 12, Jayakody acted in 1968 film Hangi Hora directed by her mother Rohini Jayakody, where she acted as a dancer. At the age of 14, she acted in a Vesak drama Kohomada Wade. In the meantime, she studied dance under Pramila Kuruppu, Daya Nellampitiya and Rudrani Liyanage. Later she learned Kathakali dance from Sirimathi Rasadari. When she was a child, she acted as the daughter in the Vijaya Kuveni stage drama when her mother was 'Kuveni'. At school, she also played the role of 'Kisa' in the play 'Kundala Keshi'.
The she played the role of 'Gunapali' in the stage play Sivamma Dhanapala. After the tragic death of lead actress Rukmani Devi, Venna got the role of 'Sivamma'. After that she acted in plays such as Siripala Saha Ran Menika and Dwithwa. Later she won an award for the play Uruvisi. But in time and on long journeys, she had to retired from the stage when she got sick because of the lack of facilities.
Then she moved to television serials, started with the serial Aththa Bidei directed by Henry Jayasena. She later made a popular role 'Sudharma' in the critically acclaimed serial Doo Daruwo.
Notable teledramas +Year Teledrama Role Ref. 2022Ahanna Kenek NaErin2011AmarapurayaBhavana - Akala RathriyaBopath SakkiyaEth Kanda Lihini2010Ganga AddaraNimali's MotherGiri Shikara MedaHirusanda Maima1988 Kande GedaraMayura Kota Uda MandiraKulavilokanayaLaabai Apple2020Kele Handa2007Oba Mageya1983Manik Nadiya Gala Basi SaradaNadeeladiyaRuwata RuwaSamanala SihinayaSanda MudunataVeena Menon2012Sasandara2009Sihina KumariSudu Kapuru Pethi2009Wahinna Muthu Wassak2019Yuga Wilakkuwa
Filmography
Year Film Role Ref. 1954 Ahankara Sthree Child Sukumal 1968 Hangi Hora Dancer 1969 Kohomada Wade 1978 Deepanjali 1978 Apsara 1979 Geheniyak Rupa 1979 Minisun Athara Minisek Vajira 1979 Chuda Manikya Sheryn Kodikara 1979 Sarungale Susheela 1979 Muwan Palessa Kekuli 1980 Miyurige Kathawa Miyuri 1981 Thawalama Khema 1981 Sagarayak Meda Deepa Moladanda 1981 Bandura Mal Uma 1982 Re Manamali Asha 1982 Miss Mallika 1984 Shirani 1987 Sathyagrahanaya Ramani 1988 Gedara Budun Amma Samanthi's mother 1991 Sihina Ahase Wasanthaya 1991 Keli Madala Samara Tennekoon 1991 Suwandena Suwandak 1992 Sisila Gini Gani Kumari Makalanda 1992 Kulageya Ramya 1993 Yasasa 1993 Till Death Do Us Part 1993 Sargent Nallathambi Juliana 'Julie' 1993 Surabidena Saama 1994 Nohadan Landune 1994 Pawana Ralu Viya 1994 Aragalaya Tamil dancer 1995 Maruthaya Geetha Wickramaratne 1996 Soora Daruwo 1996 Anantha Rathriya Loku Amma 1996 Loku Duwa 1997 Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor Charu Ma 1997 Vijayagrahanaya 1997 Sudu Akka 1997 Savithrige Rathriya 1998 Vimukthi 1998 Dorakada Marawa Priyantha's mother 1999 Salupata Ahasata 1 Prema 1999 Sura Yahana 1999 Theertha Yathra Grace Sooriyabandara 2000 Salupata Ahasata 2 Prema 2001 Kinihiriya Mal Brothel receptionist 2001 Kalu Sudu Mal Pushpa 2002 Rosa Patikki 2002 Surapurata Kanyaviyak 2003 Madre Teresa Municipal Inspector Aoura 2005 Asani Warsha Granny 2006 Nilambare 2007 Sikuru Hathe OIC's wife 2008 Ai Oba Thaniwela 2009 Juliya Mrs. Lewke Bandara 2009 Alimankada Kamala's Mother 2010 Ira Handa Yata 2011 Gamani Dead rebel's mother 2011 Dheewari 2011 Putha Mage Sooraya 2012 A Common Man Vegetable vendor 2012 Kusa Pabha Queen Seelawathi 2012 Wassane Senehasa Pradeep's mother 2012 Kurumittek Awilla 2012 Sihinaya Dige Enna Shanthi "Sakunthala" de Silva 2012 Prathiroo Parwathi 2013 Peeter One Elizabeth Briganza 2015 Bora Diya Pokuna Doreen 2016 Motor Bicycle Rangana's Mother 2016 Weerawarna Suriyasingha's mother 2018 Eka Dawasaka Api Vimukthi's mother 2019 Sangile Punchi malli's wife 2020 Suparna Suparna's mother 2020 Sheleena 2023 Guththila King Brahmadutta's queen consort 2023 Kandak Sema 2024 Minnu 2024 Buffalo Travels 2025 Ice Cream 2025 Bahuchithawadiya Iranganie
Awards and accolades She has won several awards at the local film festivals and television festivals.
Presidential Awards
|| 1982 ||| Ra Manamali || Best Actress ||
References