Janak Premalal

Lokupathirage Janak Premalal (born May 15, 1959 as ජනක් ප්‍රේමලාල්) [Sinhala]), is an award-winning actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television. Highly versatile actor dominated in television, he has acted in more than 200 television serials.

He was born on May 15, 1959 in Karannagoda. His father Sirisena Premalal is a script writer and a teacher at Govinna Senior School worked in 1952. His mother Daya Weerakkody was also a teacher who worked in Govinna Primary School. He first attended to Govinna Primary School and then to Horana Sripali Vidyalaya. Then he went to Vidyarathana College, Horana for education since grade 8. He has one brother who is an army officer.

Premalal completed A/L from commerce stream and selected to Faculty of commerce in University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He completed the degree from Property Administration & Valuation Science. In 1982, he was appointed as an valuation officer at Department of Assessments and Taxation. In 1984, he joined as an economics teacher in his school Vidyarathana College, Horana. He continued to work in the profession for thirty years until his retirement in 2014.

He is married to his longtime partner Gnanothra. The couple has one daughter, Sasikala and one son, Gayanjith. Gayanjith is a graduate at University of Moratuwa. Sasikala is a chemistry graduate at University of Peradeniya.

While in the school at the age of 18, Premalal started drama career by acting in the stage play Kathawak Athara Hadiyak produced by Ariyapala Pathirajha. In 1976, the play won first place at All Island drama competition as well. His television drama career started with a minor role in serial Hathpana and then with Siw Mansala. His first main role in television came through 1993 serial Sandagiri Pawwa. His maiden cinema acting came through 1993 film Guru Gedara directed by Vijaya Darma Sri with a minor uncredited role.

Selected stage dramas

• Kathawak Athara Hadiyak
• Ambu Samiyo
• Mahagiri Dambaya
• Numba Vitharak Thala Elalui

Selected television serials

In 1984, he directed his first stage play Abuddassa Kolama, which won many awards at Youth Drama Festival. Then in 1988, he directed the stage play Raja Kapuru and Rajagahe Nadagama in 2000. In 2004, he directed the play Salwala Kelabila. Raja Kapuru was also staged in Japan.

In 1984, Abuddassa Kolama won seven awards at the All Island Drama Competition conducted by the National Youth Services Council. And in 1988, Raja Kapuru won three awards at All Island Drama Competition.

He won the Best actor award in for the role in television serial Swayanjatha. In 2006, he won two Best Actor awards for the role in Katu Imbula at Raigam Tele'es and Sumathi Awards. Then in 2008, he won the award for the Best Actor for Kaluwara Gedara at SIGNIS awards and Raigam Tele'es.

Raigam Tele'es

Sumathi Awards

SIGNIS Awards

State Drama Festival