Harshana Nanayakkara

Last updated
Harshana Nanayakkara
MP
හර්ෂණ නානායක්කාර
ஹர்ஷண நாணயக்கார
Minister of Justice and National Integration
Assumed office
18 November 2024
Relatives Vasudeva Nanayakkara (uncle)
Hemakumara Nanayakkara (uncle)
Somasiri Alakolanga (uncle-in-law)
Rajeewa Nanayakkara (brother)
Profession Lawyer

Harshana Nanayakkara is a Sri Lankan former film actor, [1] lawyer, and politician currently serving as the Minister of Justice and National Integration of the Government of Sri Lanka since November 2024. [2] [3] He is a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from Colombo Electoral District since November 2024 as a member of the National People's Power. [4] He is also a national executive committee Member of NPP. [5]

Contents

Minister Nanayakkara has stated that he intends to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with a new law. [6]

Personal life

His father Yasapalitha Nanayakkara was a popular director in Sri Lankan cinema and stage drama as well as a screenwriter, producer, lyricist and actor. [7] His mother Manoshi Perera was a housewife. Harshana has four uncles - Vasudeva, Padmakumara, Hemakumara, Asanga and four aunties - Swarna Sakunthala, Ranjani, Lanka and Nilmini. Harshana's two uncles: Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a former minister and a member of the parliament, [8] and Hemakumara Nanayakkara is a former minister and governor of Western Province. [9]

His uncle Somasiri Alakolanga, who is married to Harshana's mother's younger sister is also an actor. [10] His elder brother, Rajeewa is also an actor, screenplay writer, and assistant director. [11]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Harshana Nanayakkara
ElectionConstituencyPartyVotesResultRef
2020 parliamentary Colombo District National People's Power 5,477Not elected
2024 parliamentary Colombo District National People's Power 82,275Elected [12]

Filmography

He has acted in 5 films. [13]

YearFilmRoleRef.
1977Age Adara Kathawa [14]
1981Geethika
1991Sihina Ahase Wasantheassistant director
1993Yasasa
1995 Cheriyo Captain Tuntun
2001Dinuma Kageda

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References

  1. "Our political culture is on default mode Lawyer - Harshana Nanayakkara". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  2. "Harshana Nanayakkara sworn in as Minister of Justice - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  3. "Academics, Tamils and an extremist Sinhala nationalist". Tamil Guardian. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  4. "The Gazette Extraordinary – No.2410/07 – Friday, November 15, 2024 – Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981" (PDF). Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 15 November 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  5. "What is jathika Jana Balawegaya NPP Sri Lanka | Who are the members". www.npp.lk. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  6. Siriwardana. "PTA will be repealed, new legislation will be introduced instead: Justice Minister". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  7. "The ocean of taste in cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  8. ""My Brother The Politician"". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  9. "'Narrow escape from death' - Hemakumara". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  10. "Yasapalitha Nanayakkara :A name synonymous with keeping the cinemas Industry afloat". The Island. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  11. "Actor Rajeewa Nanayakkara". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  12. "List of candidates and preferential votes in Sri Lanka 2024 election". EconomyNext. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  13. "Harshana Nanayakkara films: හර්ෂණ නානායක්කාර". films.lk. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  14. "Harshana Nanayakkara: Actor". imdb. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Justice and National Integration
November 2024–present
Incumbent