Andrew Jayamanne

Cinematographer

Course director for Cine & TV training.

Early Life

Andrew Jayamanne was born on 9th November 1943. Father - Vincent Jayamanne / Mother - Beatrice Perera. He is the elderst of ten children. The family lived in father’s birth place 29, St.Lazarus’ Road, Periyamulla, Negombo. Elementary studies at Dalupotha St. Anthony’s Sinhala School. In 1955 joined ”Archdiocesan College of St.Aloysius’, Borella”, with the intention of becoming a priest. But due to health condition, on doctor’s advice he had to stop studies and do hard work. Later he joined “Radio & Electronics Laboratory” at Kotahena.

Mainstream breakthrough

While at college his favorite hobby was still photography. The Rector of St.Aloysius’, Rev. Fr. W. L. A. Don Peter, realizing his ambition to study cinema, assigned him to handle Cinema & Audio visual equipment in the college. After leaving the college, a friend of his father Mr. Hugo Fernando (actor/ script writer) introduced Andrew Jayamanne to Vijaya Film Studios and Laboratories of Cinemas’ Limited, at Hendala Wattala. 1962 He started his carrier as an Assistant cameraman in the studios. As an assistant cameraman and camera unit in charge he worked on over 40 feature films both local & international. This gave him the opportunity to work under many cinematographers. Vijaya Studios being a fully equipped studios he had the opportunity to study the Film Laboratory, Sound studio work, Film editing, Production designing and Production management.

Professional carrier

While at Vijaya Studios he met the veteran film director Mr.Titus Thotawatta. In 1970 he left Vijaya studios & joined with Titus Thotawatta in the production of “Haralaksaya” his maiden film as a Director of Cinematography. Andrew continued with Titus Thotawatta until his last film “Handaya”. Although he studied Cinema under veteran Indian film technicians, Andrew Jayamanne developed his own style of Cinematography on Lighting, frame composition and camera operations. He was called up by many other veteran directors & especially many new directors for their maiden films. His contribution to the films of Dharmasiri Bandaranayaka, Vasantha Obeysekara, Parakrama Niriella, were highly acclaimed. When in 1972 State Film corporation called for registration of cine technicians Andrew Jayamanne was recognized as Film Director / Script Writer / Cinematographer/ Editor / Production Manager. He is the only person to get registered in five categories.

Andrew Jayamanne producer & director

• 35mm short film titled “Cigarette Butt” which represented Sri Lanka at Popolli Film Festival in 1971.
• Documentary film (1971) on Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka.{ 25mts. / 35 mm)
• Short film titled “Flower in Bloom” (Super 8) represented Sri Lanka in1973 at Manila, OCIC short film festival.
• Cinematographer for Mr. Nimal Mendis (Music Director / Composer) nos.2 documentaries
• Cinematographer for Richard Taylor ( Producer for BBC) in making 1hour documentaries on conflicts of Sri Lanka.

Director of photography on Sinhal features

Director Name and Film title

Titus Thotawatta: Haralakshaya / Athithayen kathawak / Sihasuna / Mangala / Sagarika / Maruwa Samaga Vase / Handaya.

Vasantha Obeysekara: Palagatiyo

Parakrama Niriella: SiriMadura

Dharmasiri Bandaranayake: Hansa Wilak / Thunveni Yamaya / Suddilage Kathawa

Jakson Anthony: Julietge Bhoomikawa

H. D. Premarathna: Mangala Thaegga / Sayelama / Visidela

Mohan Nihas: Yasoma / Eka Malaka Pethi

Wimal Ranjith Fernando: Sathipooja

Christy Shelton Fernando: Thahanam Gaha / Aragalaya / Indrakeelaya

Ranjith Kuruppu: Pavna Raluviya,

K.A.W. Perera: Dhawala Pushpaya

Cyril Wickramage: Sihina Lovak

Domi Jayawardana: Singapooru Charlie

S.G. Samarasinghe: Aasa

Technical director of: Sudu Salu ( Digital to Film)

Videographer Sammy Povel’s “Music Garden” ( Digital to Film)

Director – “Life of Joseph Vass” for Gov.Film Unit ( one hour 35mm feature.)

Course director for Visual language media

As television was being introduced to Sri Lanka everyone was interested in get in to the new media. OCIC Sri Lanka made the first move. In 1972, Rev.Fr. Earnest Porutota invited Andrew Jayamanne to conduct classes for beginners interested in cinema and television. Andrew Jayamanne started training with “Super 8” format and Slide show programs. Then as VHS came to industry it was introduced to beginners. He held two Short film festivals with his students at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
In 1983 Andrew Jayamanne had the opportunity to join the professional video program training at Taipe, Taiwan. The course was conducted by the St. Clara University of California, USA. Andrew Jayamanne was called up by the Television Training Institute, Sri Lanka to train video persons for Rupavahini and ITN, the two national television channels. The courses were later extended to train video teams of the Army, Navy, Police, Education department and many other government institutes. 1986 ITN channel started classes of their own with Andrew Jayamanne. “Kopi Kade” the still on gaining single episode television series was created by him with the students of the said class. Many of them are still serving as Producers, Camera persons and in other technical branches. Andrew Jayamanne’ students are also employed in the industry of cinema and television, both in Sri Lanka and aboard.
1985 & 86. He was called up as a visiting lecturer at Sri Jayawardanapura University and Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. He extended the video production training classes to remote area like TrincomalIee, Horuwpatana, Negombo. He was once called up by the Vietnam Television channels workers forum to conduct a workshop in Saigon. Andrew Jayamanne attended ( 1985 & 86) the “International Film and Television teachers Seminar” held in Mannheim , Germany

Television Programs Produced

With the introduction of Television to Sri Lanka, Andrew Jayamanne, turned to direct and produce programs for the media. Television drama series he completed as Director (Some Script Writer)

1. “Kopi Kade” ITN channel (56 episodes).
2. “Gama Witthi” Rupavahini (12 episodes)
3. Dharmadhikaranaya - ITN channel (52 episodes).
4. Sanathana Kathandara - Rupavahini (6 episodes)
5. Siri Nivesa Sirasa channel (6 episodes)
6. Sasala Ruwa - Swarnavahini channel (22 episodes)
7. Chala Achala - Swarnavahini channel (22 episodes)
8. Rankira Sooya - Swarnavahini channel (22 episodes)
9. Damayanthi - Awaiting release (20 episodes)

Awards and Achievements

Cinematographer awards

• Haralakshaya - OCIC / Critics cinema award
• Handaya - OCIC / Sarasvi / President’s cinema awards
• Mangala - Critics cinema awards
• Maruwa Samaga Vase - Critics cinema awards
• Palagatiyo - Sarasvi / President’s cinema awards
• SiriMadura - Sarasvi / President’s cinema awards
• Hansa Wilak - Critics cinema awards
• Thunveni Yamaya - Sarasvi / Presidents cinema awards
• Suddilage Kathawa - Critics cinema awards
• Julietge Bhoomikawa - OCIC / Critics cinema awards
• Sayelama - President’s cinema awards
• Sathipooja - President’s cinema awards

For his contribution to cinema, television and photography industry he was honored many times by non governmental organizations from which Andrew Jayamanne has received 12 memorial plaques. He is also advisor to several photographic societies.
Teacher to many present veteran film and television personalities and recognized by local and foreign institutes. Andrew Jayamanne is a member in the Advisory board of the Religious programs in Rupavahini / ITN and Sri Lanka Broadcasting corporation.
Andrew Jayamanne was honored as “KALA SURU” by The Cultural Guild of Sri Lanka Catholic Organization. Andrew Jayamanne is appointed as “Justice of Peace – All Island”

Personal life

Married in 1972 To Bernadette Tissera. After marriage they moved to Eattukala, Negombo. They had 3 sons.

• Asith Chaminda Jayamanne 1973
• Dulip Lasantha Jayamanne 1975
• Susith Eranda Jayamanne 1982

Andrew Jayamanne’s wife died in 1990. Later in the year 2000 he moved with children to Colombo. After the marriage of his sons again he came back to Negombo in 2005. A felicitation ceremony was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his service to the Cinema & Television industry, at Russian Cultural Institute, Colombo, on 16th March 2012.