{{short description|Sri Lankan actress and model (born 1980)}} {{Infobox person | name = Sujani Menaka | native_name = සුජානි මේනකා | other_names = | image = | alt = | caption = Sujani with husband | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|5|17|mf=yes}} | birth_name = Samarawickrama Dahanayake Sujani Menaka | birth_place = Colombo | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | education = | years_active = 1987–present | political_party = | spouse = {{marriage|Bimal Jayakody|2007}} | children = | relatives = Rathna Lalani Jayakody (Bimal's aunt) <br /> Sampath Tennakoon (Bimal's uncle) <br /> Geetha Kanthi Jayakody (Bimal's aunt) <br /> Paboda Sandeepani (Bimal's cousin) | awards = | signature = | website = | footnotes = | occupation = Actress, model }}
'''Samarawickrama Dahanayake Sujani Menaka'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rateyourmusic.com/films/sujani_menaka | title=Sujani Menaka | publisher=Rate Your Music| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> (born 17 May 1980 as සුජානි මේනකා) [Sinhala]), popularly as '''Sujani Menaka''', is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema, theater and television. Started as a child artist in advertisements, she is best known for the role in NSB commercial ''Sathen Sathe''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=3931 | title=NSB Re-Launches Core Products | publisher=Business Today | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> and title role ''Sara'' in the teledrama as well as film adaptation.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/sujani-menaka-664/ | title=Actresses in Sri Lankan cinema - Sujani Menaka | publisher=National Film Corporation Of Sri Lanka| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== Sujani Menaka was born on 17 May 1980. She is an old girl of St. Paul's Girls School, Milagiriya.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.island.lk/userfiles/image/2015/07/08/st.jpg | title=St. Paul's PPA back to school | publisher=The Island | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> Her father was an art director in films.<ref name= sujanibio>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120709/283128540960973 | title=Sujani - The down-to-earth star | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
She is married to popular actor Bimal Jayakody.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.divaina.com/2009/09/13/cineart05.html | title="Bimal" is a difficult character to understand | publisher=Divaina | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> She met Bimal during the teledrama ''Ramya Suramya'' back in 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://papper.gossiplankahotnews.com/2017/03/chat-with-bimal-jayakodi.html?m=1 | title=නිවැරදිම තීරණේ විවාහය – Chat With Bimal Jayakodi | publisher=Gossip Lanka | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> They married in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archive.srilankamirror.com/news/14218-sujani-make-her-husband-s-dream-come-true | title=Sujani make her husband's dream come true | publisher=srilankamirror | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> The couple has two daughters and one son.
Bimal's father is the elder brother of popular actresses Geetha Kanthi Jayakody and Rathna Lalani Jayakody. Geetha's daughter Paboda Sandeepani is also a popular award-winning actress in cinema and television.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030831/tv/7.htm | title=Pabodha : 'I'll quit after marriage' | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> Rathna Lalani is married to fellow actor Sampath Tennakoon.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://magazine.lankahelp.com/2013/12/17/abhinayana-sampath-ratna-rangabhumika-drama-festival/ | title=Abhinayana Sampath-Ratna Rangabhumika' Drama festival | work=Daily news | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
==Career== She faced a camera at the age of 3 in ''Prarthana'' teledrama directed by maestro Lester James Peries.<ref name= sujanibio /> Then, at the age of 10, she was selected for the NSB commercial ''Sathe Sathe'', which gain enormous popularity as a child artist.<ref name= sujanibio /> In 1987, she acted in her maiden cinematic role as a child artist in the film ''Ahinsa''. Her stage drama ''Athurupasata Chat Ekak'' will be showing in future.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rangahala.lk/athurupasata-chat-ekak/ | title=Athurupasata Chat Eka | publisher=Rangahala | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
Her maiden cinematic experience came through as a child artist in 1987 film ''Ahinsa'', directed by Malani Fonseka.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-sujani-menaka-dahanayaka-566.html | title=Sujani Menaka filmography | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> Some of her popular films are ''Thrishule'', ''Sathya'' and ''Sara''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9583071/ | title=Sujani Menaka filmography | publisher=IMDb | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
===Selected television serials=== {{Div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''Aluth Gedara'' as Diana<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/04/04/art30.asp | title=Aluth Gedara comes to ITN | work=Daily News | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Amanda'' as Meenu<ref name= sujanitele /> * ''Api Api Wage''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090329/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_05.html | title=A dramatic conflict of family, friends and lovers | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Chakraangee''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/021208/tv/3.html | title='Chakraangee': A tale of a fallen Walauwa | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Chandra Vinsathi''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alankulamafilms.lk/amy_movie/chandra-vinsathi-tele-drama/ | title=Chandra Vinsathi teledrama | publisher=Alankulama Films | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080427/TV/tv-times000015.html |title='Chandra Vinsathi': Unravel births of two girls |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Damini'' * ''Dhawala Yamaya''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060226/tv/8.html |title='Dhawala Yaamaya' on Sirasa |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref> * ''Diyaniyo'' as Hansi<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/2015/05/18/diyaniyo-on-rupavahini-from-tomorrow/ | title='Diyaniyo' on Rupavahini from tomorrow | publisher=Daily Mirror| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Gajamuthu''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/03/17/fea20.asp | title=Gajamuthu against injustice | work=Daily News| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Giraya''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120102/291778604847158 | title=Giraya - The television thriller on DVD | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Hiru Kumari''<ref name= nalanmendis>{{cite web | url=https://nalanmendis.com/teledramas/| title=Nalan Mendis teledramas | publisher=nalanmendis.com | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Ira Awara''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/151129/magazine/ira-awara-172648.html | title='Ira Awara' - A battle against a village and its archaic traditions | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Isi Dasuna''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/041219/tv/4.html | title='Isi Dasuna': Portrays action & reaction| publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref> * ''Jodu Gedara'' as Suja<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ft.lk/entertainment-sectors/jodu-gedara-swarnavahini-to-bring-a-bucket-full-of-laughter-to-your-doorstep/10405-569255 | title='Jodu Gedara': Swarnavahini to bring a bucket full of laughter to your doorstep | publisher=Daily FT| access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Loba Nosidewa'' as Anagi<ref name= sujanitele>{{cite web | url=http://gossips.lkactress.com/2011/05/01/we-made-our-house-step-by-step-sujani-menaka/ | title=We made our house step by step | publisher=lkactress | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Maya Roo''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2010/05/23/enter.htm | title=Maya Roo | publisher=The Nation | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Mayumi'' * ''Mee Massa'' * ''Pingala Danawwa''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nation.lk/2008/08/17/enter2.htm | title='Pingala Danawwa' portrays our ancient civilisation | publisher=The Nation | access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> * ''Pork Veediya'' <ref>{{Cite web |title= Poke Street brought by Salinda |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/teledramas/2020/12/17/19514/සාලින්ද-ගෙන-එන-පෝක්-වීදිය |access-date=2020-12-17 |website=Sarasaviya}}</ref> * ''Prarthana'' * ''Raahu''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/teles/?fn=sa1809208 | title=චාමරගේ රාහු අ.යි.ටී.එන් අල්ලයි | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Ramya Suramya'' * ''Sadgunakaraya''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080406/TV/tv-times00008.html | title=Sadgunakaraya: A story of six generations | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Samanalunta Wedithiyanna'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071111/TV/tv-times000012.html |title=Samanalunta Wedithiyanna |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Sanda Dev Diyani'' <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060319/tv/5.html | title='Sanda Dev Diyani': A tale of courage and determination | work=Daily News | access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> * ''Sandagalathenna'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070422/TV/007tv.html |title=Sandagalatenna highlights the power of indigenous medicine |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=10 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Sanda Mudunata''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050515/tv/9.html | title=Story of 'Sanda Mudunata' | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Sara'' as Sara <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080427/TV/tv-times000011.html |title='Sara': A suspenseful story on village girl |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Sasandara'' <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/031221/tv/14.htm | title='Sasandara': Intrigues of a Kapuwa | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref> * ''Senehasa Kaviyak''<ref name= nalanmendis /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060507/tv/senehasa%20kaviyak.htm | title='Senehasa Kaviyak': portrays a poetic plot | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Tharu Kumari''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2006/03/27/fea08.asp | title='Tharu Kumari' on Rupavahin | work=Daily News | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Udu Sulanga'' * ''Upuli'' as Upuli<ref name= sujanitele /> * ''Vinivindimi Andura''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060806/tv/tvp6.htm | title=Twenty teledramas:Tribute to writers | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Vishwanthari'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060820/tv/tv14.html |title='Vishwanthari': World Class literature on miniscreen |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Yaso Mandira'' <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/031221/tv/11.htm | title='Yaso Mandira': The tale of a mother's courage... | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref> {{Div col end}}
===Selected stage dramas=== * ''Athurupasata Chat Ekak'' * ''Deseeya Thunseeya''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/09/06/entertainment/127267/cultural-diary-deseeya-thunseeya-september-8?page=6 | title=Cultural Diary: Deseeya Thunseeya on September 8 | work=Daily News | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
==Filmography== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |- | 1987 || ''Ahinsa'' || Mary's daughter || |- | 1991 || ''Raja Sellam'' || || |- | 1991 || ''Mama Obe Hithawatha'' || || |- | 1992 || ''Raja Daruwo'' || || |- | 1992 || ''Kulageya'' || Mervyn's daughter || |- | 1992 || ''Sathya'' || || |- | 1993 || ''Thrishule'' || || |- | 1994 || ''150 Mulleriyawa'' || Virindu newspaper hawker's daughter || |- | 1998 || ''Julietge Bhumikawa'' || Saroja's servant || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://vodtv.vhx.tv/packages/julietge-bhoomikawa/videos/juliet-ge-bhoomikawa-vod |title=Julietge Bhoomikawa |publisher=vodtv|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2010 || ''Sara'' || Sara || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/05/05/?fn=sa16050532 |title=Sri Lankan Screened Films |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2011 || ''Gamani'' || Upul's lover || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/06/09/?fn=sa16060929 |title=Sri Lankan Screened Films |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2021 || ''Uthuru Sulanga'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2020/07/09/17973/උතුරු-සුළඟට-හසු-වූ-දකුණේ-තරුණයකුගේ-කතාව | title=The story of a young man in the south caught in the north wind | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> |- | 2024 || ''Weerya'' || Sachini || <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120514/283214440232531 | title=Weerya shooting ends | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> |- | 2024 || ''Minnu'' || || <ref>{{cite news|title=තුන්පත් රෑනක සොඳුරු අනන්තය “මින්නු” |url=https://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2024/02/15/26430/තුන්පත්-රෑනක-සොඳුරු-අනන්තය-“මින්නු”|work=www.sundaytimes.lk}}</ref> |- | 2024 || ''Kambili'' || || |- | 2025 || ''Theja'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/11/23/news51.asp | title=Nita's Theja to be screened at Goa festival | work=Daily News | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2009/09/27/mag07.asp | title=Meet Theja | publisher=Sunday Observer | access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref> |- | {{TableTBA}}|| {{pending film|italic=no| ''Magam Soli'' }} || || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2023/12/21/26180/සසර-මඟ-දිගු-කළ-මාගම්සෝලි |title=සසර මඟ දිගු කළ මාගම්සෝලි |work=Sarasaviya |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> |- | {{TableTBA}} || {{pending film|italic=no| ''Rapist'' }} || ||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sarasaviya.lk/ආචාර්ය-සෝමරත්න-දිසානායකග/ |title=ආචාර්ය සෝමරත්න දිසානායකගේ 13 වැන්න Rapist |publisher=Sarasaviya |accessdate=13 September 2025}}</ref> |}
==Awards and accolades== She has won several awards at the local stage drama festivals and television festivals.<ref name= sujanibio />
==References== {{reflist}} * [https://www.facebook.com/sumangqlika/ Official Facebook page]
==External links== * [http://sujanimenaka.blogspot.com Sujani Menaka blog] * [http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=116873 Nil Balakaya blamed for attack on artistes] * [http://sinhala.lankahitgossip.com/2017/12/16/gossip-chat-with-bimal-jayakody/ ලබන අවුරුද්දේ තුන්වැනියෙක් බලාපොරොත්තු වෙනවා] * [http://sinhala.lankahitgossip.com/2017/07/05/bimal-jayakody-and-sujani-menaka-gossip-chat/ දස වසක් සපිරෙන බිමල් – සුජානි ආදර කතාවේ රහස] * [http://gossips.lkactress.com/2011/09/19/i-can-see-the-danger-bimal-sujani-menaka/ I can see the Danger - Bimal & Sujani Menaka] * [http://www.dinamina.lk/2015/07/11/අතන-මෙතන/සුපුරුදු-පරිදි-අපි-හොඳින්-ඉන්නවා?page=48 සුපුරුදු පරිදි අපි හොඳින් ඉන්නවා] * [http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/12/14/mag03.asp Love Talk is with popular actress Sujani Menaka] * [http://gossip.hirufm.lk/15374/2017/05/sujani-menaka-bimal-jayakodi-article.html Need good understanding for better family life] * [http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/03/09/art21.asp Pride and patriotism!] * [http://gossip.hirufm.lk/31424/2019/03/sujani-menaka.html සුජානි මේනකා - Hiru Gossip - Hiru FM] {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Menaka, Sujani}} Category:Living people Category:Sri Lankan film actresses Category:1980 births