| Awanthi Aponsu | |
| Native Name: | අවන්ති අපොන්සු |
| Native Name Lang: | Sinhala |
| Birth Name: | Goniya Malimage Awanthi Aponsu |
| Birth Date: | 1959 6, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation: | Television and film actress |
| Years Active: | 1983-present |
| Spouse: | Yagath Jayasuriya |
| Children: | Kavya Jayasuriya |
| Relatives: | Jayasekara Aponsu Gamini Aponsu |
Goniya Malimage Awanthi Aponsu, popularly known as Awanthi Aponsu (Sinhala: ගෝනියා මාලිමගේ අවන්ති අපොන්සු) (born June 18, 1959) is a Sri Lankan actress known for her extensive work in supporting roles of teledramas, films and stage plays.[1] She is the younger sister of popular Sri Lankan actor Jayasekara Aponsu.[2]
Aponsu was born in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka,[3] where she attended Gamini Central College. She lived with her mother, two younger sisters, and younger brother in the Magasthota village area of Nuwara Eliya; her father, and brother Jayasekara had moved to Colombo at this time. Her uncle, Edwin Peiris, was a stage play director in Nuwara Eliya, who was acquainted with Rohana Weerasinghe. As a child, she had dreamed of acting, but thought it was out of reach due to her extreme shyness growing up. She instead wanted to become a nurse. It was not until she finished up her studies and moved to Colombo herself in 1979 that she'd pursue acting. She started her acting career in stage plays under the tutelage of her brother Jayasekara. She practiced for six months, and made her stage debut with Jayantha Ketagoda.
She is married to Yagath Jayasuriya. Many of Aponsu's brothers and sisters, including Jayasekara Aponsu, Gamini Aponsu, and Nirmada Aponsu, are also famous actors. Aponsu is a Theravada Buddhist.
Aponsu's daughter, Kavya Jayasuriya, was born on May 22, 1992. Kavya married Pahan Thillakaratne on November 14, 2018. The wedding was attended by then-President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena.[4] The couple now resides in Victoria, Australia.
| Year | Film | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Thunhiri Mal | ||
| 1984 | Dadayama | Rathmali's friend | |
| 1984 | Podi Ralahamy | Crying girl | |
| 1984 | Batti | ||
| 1984 | Birinda | ||
| 1985 | Adarayaka Mahima | Nadeeka | |
| 1985 | Varsity Kella | Nali | |
| 1987 | Podi Vijay | ||
| 1995 | Ayoma[5] | ||
| 1999 | Rae Rae | ||
| 2016 | Mouse[6] | Alagiyawanna's wife | |
| 2016 | Devanthi | ||
| 2017 | Dharmayuddhaya | Rani's mother |
| Year | Teledrama | Role 2005 | Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ithin Eeta Passe[7] | Sheila | |
| 2009 | Gajamuthu[8] | ||
| 2019 | Mini Kirana | ||
| 2020 | Induwari | ||
| 2020 | Walakulu Dorin Galanna | ||
| 2021 | Kunchanadha[9] | ||
| 2023 | Vacation |
| Year | Play | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Helidarawwa (හෙලිදරව්ව) | ||
| 1996 | Dala (දැල) | Performed at John de Silva Memorial Theatre | |
| 2000 | Seru (සේරූ) | Performed at John F. Kennedy High School | |
| 2002 | Patale Soldaduwo (පාතාලේ සොල්දාදුවෝ) | Performed at John de Silva Memorial Theatre |