Henry Jayasena no more

Well-known dramatist, journalist and a livewire in the local arts and drama circle Henry Jayasena passed away yesterday following a brief illness. He was 78.

A household name in Sri Lanka, Henry Jayasena created a revolution in the field of creative arts with his pioneering efforts in local drama. His productions Hunuwataye Kathawa an adaptation of Bertol Bretch's Caucasian circle, and works such as Apata Puthe Magak Nethe, Kuweni etc., took the local drama scene by storm in the mid sixties.

He was in the forefront in resurrecting the dying art of drama and stage acting and was the catalyst in the birth of a profusion of dramatic works of outstanding quality that continues to this day.

Henry Jayasena was also a versatile actor who played the lead role in Lester James Peiris’ celebrated film Gamperaliya. He was also a prolific writer mainly on anecdotes of his life as a dramatist and also other reminiscences.

He was also a regular contributor to the Daily News Arts page.

His wife Manel hereself a stage celebrity predeceased him some years ago.