{{Short description|Sri Lankan actress}} {{Infobox person | name = Awanthi Aponsu | image = | caption = | native_name = අවන්ති අපොන්සු | native_name_lang = Sinhala | birth_name = Goniya Malimage Awanthi Aponsu | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1959|06|18}} | birth_place = Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka | occupation = Television and film actress | years_active = 1983–present | spouse = Yagath Jayasuriya | children = Kavya Jayasuriya | relatives = Jayasekara Aponsu<br>Gamini Aponsu }}
'''Goniya Malimage Awanthi Aponsu''', popularly known as '''Awanthi Aponsu''' (Sinhalese: ගෝනියා මාලිමගේ අවන්ති අපොන්සු; born 18 June 1959) is a Sri Lankan actress known for her extensive work in supporting roles of teledramas, films and stage plays.<ref>[https://rateyourmusic.com/films/awanthi-aponsu/ Awanthi Aponsu Filmography]. Rate Your Music. Retrieved on May 2, 2023.</ref> She is the younger sister of popular Sri Lankan actor Jayasekara Aponsu.<ref>(November 15, 1998). [https://www.sundaytimes.lk/981115/mirror5.html "Aponsu: self made actor"]. The Sunday Times. Retrieved on May 2, 2023.</ref>
==Personal life== Aponsu was born in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka,<ref>[https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/awanthi-aponsu Awanthi Aponsu]. Rate Your Music. Retrieved on May 2, 2023.</ref> where she attended Gamini Central College. She lived with her mother, two younger sisters, and younger brother in the Magasthota village area of Nuwara Eliya; her father, and brother Jayasekara had moved to Colombo at this time. Her uncle, Edwin Peiris, was a stage play director in Nuwara Eliya, who was acquainted with Rohana Weerasinghe. As a child, she had dreamed of acting, but thought it was out of reach due to her extreme shyness growing up. She instead wanted to become a nurse. It was not until she finished up her studies and moved to Colombo herself in 1979 that she'd pursue acting. She started her acting career in stage plays under the tutelage of her brother Jayasekara. She practiced for six months, and made her stage debut with Jayantha Ketagoda.
She is married to Yagath Jayasuriya, an ex-Air Force officer. Many of Aponsu's brothers and sisters, including Jayasekara Aponsu, Gamini Aponsu, and Nirmada Aponsu, are also famous actors. Aponsu is a Theravada Buddhist.
Aponsu's daughter, Kavya Jayasuriya, was born on 22 May 1992. Kavya married Pahan Thillakaratne on 14 November 2018. The wedding was attended by Maithripala Sirisena, who was President of Sri Lanka at the time, as well as his brother, businessman Dudley Sirisena, who are close friends of Aponsu's husband.<ref>(November 18, 2018). [https://www.gossiplankanews.com/2018/11/awanthi-aponsus-daughters-wedding.html Awanthi Aponsu's Daughter's Wedding]. Gossip Lanka News. Retrieved on May 2, 2023.</ref> The couple now resides in Victoria, Australia, and gave birth to their first child, a daughter, on 16 January 2025.<ref>@kavyajayasuriya and @pahan_thillakaratne (February 16, 2025). [https://www.instagram.com/p/DGKICfLhRx9mjWC3eGbJMIhIkA%20jTBqksvKBEc0/?img%20index=1 "Cheers to one month of magical moments, late-night cuddles, and the sweetest baby giggles"]. via Instagram. Retrieved on June 9, 2025.</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role |- | 1983 || ''Thunhiri Mal'' || |- | 1984 || ''Dadayama'' || Rathmali's friend |- | 1984 || ''Podi Ralahamy'' || Crying girl |- | 1984 || ''Batti'' || |- | 1984 || ''Birinda'' || |- | 1985 || ''Adarayaka Mahima'' || Nadeeka |- | 1985 || ''Varsity Kella'' || Nali |- | 1987 || ''Podi Vijay'' || |- | 1995 || ''Ayoma''<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12256694/?ref%20=nm%20flmg%20t%203%20act Ayoma (1995)] – IMDb</ref> || |- | 1999 || ''Rae Rae'' || |- | 2012 || ''Mouse''<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7702230/?ref%20=nm%20flmg%20c%202%20act Mouse (2012)] – IMDb</ref> || Alagiyawanna's wife |- | 2016 || ''Paththini'' || Devanthi |- | 2017 || ''Dharmayuddhaya'' || Rani's mother |}
===Selected Television series=== * ''Aga Pipi Mal'' * ''Ahas Maliga'' * ''Bedde Gedara'' * ''Damsaari'' * ''Eka Mawakage Daruwo'' * ''Gajamuthu'' * ''Giju'' * ''Girikula'' * ''Ithin Eta Passe'' * ''Isuru Bhawana'' * ''Meenu'' * ''Mini Kirana'' * ''Nil Diya Rala'' * ''Pawena Yakada'' * ''Pini Aga Pulingu'' * ''Podi Mama'' * ''Swarna Thisaravi'' * ''Sudu Araliya'' * ''Walakulu Dorin Galanna'' * ''Yuga Wilakkuwa''
==Awards== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" |Award ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Category ! scope="col" |Result |- ! scope="row"| Natya Sammana |1983 |Best Actress |{{won}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aponsu, Awanthi}} Category:Living people Category:1959 births Category:Sri Lankan film actresses