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Hemasiri Sellapperuma
හේමසිරි සෙල්ලප්පෙරුම
Hemasiri Sellapperuma ; හේමසිරි සෙල්ලප්පෙරුම
Born	Hemasiri Sellapperuma; 25 October; Panadura, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Education	St. Anthony's College, Panadura
Occupation(s)	Director, producer, screen writer, editor, art director
Years active	1978–2015
Website	[www.hemasiri.com]

Hemasiri Sellapperuma (born 25 October: Sinhala: හේමසිරි සෙල්ලප්පෙරුම), is a Sri Lankan screenplay writer, editor and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema.^[1] He is a prolific director who directed the second most films in Sri Lankan cinema with thirty-six films in various genres.^[2]

Personal life

He completed education from St. Anthony's College, Panadura. During school, he achieved a medal of Queen as a Scout. He is also the chairman of the Lions club in Egodawatta. In addition to that, he is also a Justice in Peace.^[3]

His cousin son Rajitha Hiran is also a renowned comedy artist.^[4]

Career

While in the school, he worked as an editor at the institute of Serendib. He first directed a short film Saara Poro Jelivet.^[5] After completing education, he joined with his mentor, Consistence Cooray. He is first person to produce films for children in Sri Lanka. Under Consistence, Sellapperuma worked as an assistant director for his films such as: Samaja Sevaya, Gami Kolla and Asaranaya.^[3]

Later he worked as an assistant editor in the film Punchi Baba saha Nari Latha directed by Tissa Liyanasooriya. Then he joined with K. A. W. Perera and worked as an assistant director in several films including: Bicycle Hora, Seeye Nottuwa, Kathuru Muwath, Aparadhaya Saha Daduwama and Lokuma Hinawa.^[5] Meanwhile, he passed the written examination to register as a director and editor in National Film Co-operation by directing the film Sara Polowa Jaya Bimai.^[3]

In 1981, he made his debut cinema direction with the black and white film Jeewanthi. After the success of the film, he made the second film Sathweni Davasa which became a blockbuster of that year.^[6] In 1982, at the Malaysian Film Festival, the film won the Golden award for the Best Commercial Film in the Asia.^[3] In 1989, he made the blockbuster film Nommara 17.^[7] The film broke several commercial records, where the film screened record 210 days at the 'National' cinema hall in Maharagama as well as screened in the opening cinemas for 200 days. However, before the screening, the lead actor Vijaya Kumaranatunga was assassinted. There was a big uproar in the cinema halls during the screening of the film. People were at queue at cinema halls from 8 am to witness Vijaya's last film. There have even been stabbing incidents recorded in 'Gemunu' and 'Manel' cinema theaters as well.^[8] In 18th Sarasaviya Awards in 1990, Nommara 17 won the award for the Most Famous Film with 40,535 votes.^[9]

He was honored with the 'Kala Jothi' Award as well.^[3] In 2015, he directed his last film Sanjaana.^[2]

Filmography

Year	Film	Roles	Ref.
1981	Jewanthi	Director, Screenwriter, Film Editor, Art Director
1981	Sathweni Dawasa	Director, Film Editor
1983	Senehasaka Kandulu	Director, Technical Advisor
1988	Chandingeth Chandiya	Director, Producer
1988	Newa Gilunath Ban Chun	Director	^[10]
1989	Nommara 17	Director
1991	Uthura Dakuna	Director, Screenwriter	^[11]
1991	Asai Bayai	Director
1991	Love In Bangkok	Director, Screenwriter
1991	Salambak Handai	Director, Screenwriter
1992	Bajar Eke Chandiya	Director
1992	Sakkara Suththara	Director, Screenwriter
1992	Malsara Doni	Director
1992	Sinha Raja	Director, Screenwriter
1992	Kiyala Wadak Na	Director, Screenwriter
1993	Sandareka	Director, Screenwriter	^[12]
1993	Lagin Giyoth Ehek Na	Director
1993	Sura Veera Chandiyo	Director
1994	Rajawansen Ekek	Director, Screenwriter
1994	Abhiyogaya	Director
1994	Nohadan Landune	Director
1994	Okkoma Hondatai	Director, Screenwriter
1994	Hello My Darling	Director, Screenwriter
1995	Pudumai Eth Aththai	Director
1995	Vairayen Vairaya	Director
1996	Manamohini	Director, Screenwriter
1996	Hiru Sanduta Madivi	Director
1996	Mal Hathai	Director, Screenwriter
1997	Surayo Wadakarayo	Director, Screenwriter	^[13]
1999	Ayadimi Sama	Director, Screenwriter
2000	Danduwama	Director, Screenwriter	^[14]
2001	Oba Koheda Priye	Director	^[15]
2003	Vala In London	Director, Screenwriter
2008	Duplicate	Director	^[16]
2015	Sanjaana	Director, Screenwriter	^[17]